Angus' memoir: a very disturbing book

[Linda]

I know this book has been out for a while, but I just read it yesterday. I agree with the New York Times book review by Diane Peck, June 25, 2000. I looked for reviews this morning to see if my reactions were too harsh, but I ended up finding a reviewer who said much more perfectly than I ever could how I feel about this book. I have found myself thinking of Angus many times today, especially his bounding up the steps of the Cotswold flat each morning to snuggle with Big Head (Siebert). Little did Angus know that Big Head and Sweet Voice (Bex) would prove to be unfit guardians for this sweet and irrepressible little dog who was no match for the wilds of Canada (even though I know from Siebert's heartbreaking words that they loved him so deeply). Who lets their dog run around at night in the forest? Siebert stated in the final narrative that he knew there were bobcats, wolves, porcupines out in those woods. This little dog needed to be supervised on his outings, not left to wander after dark when large predators are on the hunt. Siebert knew how aggressive Angus was, pointing out, also in the final narrative, that Angus came home with a snout full of porcupine quills on his second day at the farm. Yet Siebert and Bex continued to let Angus have his outings, as if Angus somehow knew how to keep himself safe. The reality is that he did not stand a chance. This was a tiny little dog let loose at night in the wilderness just past the lights of the cabin. It was only a matter of time before Angus would get hurt, and so very, very sad that he had to suffer the way he did. Another disturbing passage in the final narrative described Angus' final hours with the veterinarian: Siebert wonders "how are we going to pay for this?" Siebert and Bex spent months in a flat in England, and no matter where they lived, went out nearly every night (according to Angus), purchased daily supplies of "brown liquid" (again, according to Angus), and yet Seibert wonders, as his beloved companion lies dying in pain and suffering, how is he going to pay for it? Priorities - where have they gone? This book, while poetic and beautifully written, haunts me with the senselessness of Angus' untimely and horrific death. A death that would not have happened had his owners protected him as they should have. Because of the strong image of Angus that was created with Siebert's words, I feel I have known Angus, that I need to grieve for Angus. Siebert described a detailed and complex character that will not be easily forgotten by me, unfortunately with not a little bit of anger.