book about a boy who runs away with a panther

[Adam]

Hi everybody been trying to find this book since i read it about 15-20 years ago. All that i can remember is its about a boy who runs away to the circus or away from the circus, where he meets a panther.

this is another persons comment which closely match my book that i am thinking of

All I remember is that an orphan boy (ran away from a maltreating relative), found an abandoned house that was still furnished on the inside. Found a stray dog that became his best friend. At one point, he had a splash in a water barrel outside and in it, he found a baby someone was trying to get rid off. He started to cater for his little family, stealing bread for himself and the dog and milk for the baby. He was found-out at the house and all three were separated. He was given a job in a circus that had a panther, he ran away and when he was worn out and about to give-up, he was discovered on the outside steps a nice old lady that clothed him and made him her errand boy.

[Tab]

Was this book for children, teens or adults?
Anything about the cover?
Part of a series?
Time period /location story takes place?

[``Laurie]

I immediately thought of the book:

Toby Tyler, or Ten Weeks with a Circus
but it was a chimp and not a panther that he befriended.

[Adam]

I am pretty sure teen or young adults being a novel.
no i have no idea haha i thought id try and see if anyone knew.

[Kris]

Adam, is this contemporary or historical story (like Street Child by Berlie Doherty)?

What's the location - U.S./England (London)/etc.?

[Tab]

A stretch, but The Runaways (Smiler Trilogy 1) (Bello) by Victor Canning. It was originally published in 1972.

[Andria]

Another possibility by Victor Canning: Panthers' Moon

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Adam, are you still looking for this or did you find it?

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

No response. Moving to Abandoned.