Excerpt: ...up than I usually do. During the first hymn I happened to strike Piggy against the side of the seat. Such an ear-splitting squeal as he set up. It sounded as if I was murdering him. The people stared and stared, and I had to leave the church, overwhelmed with confusion." Mrs. Wood and Miss Laura laughed, and then they got talking about other matters that were not interesting to me, so I did not listen. But I kept close to Miss Laura, for I was afraid that green thing might hurt her. I wondered very much what its ...
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Excerpt: ...up than I usually do. During the first hymn I happened to strike Piggy against the side of the seat. Such an ear-splitting squeal as he set up. It sounded as if I was murdering him. The people stared and stared, and I had to leave the church, overwhelmed with confusion." Mrs. Wood and Miss Laura laughed, and then they got talking about other matters that were not interesting to me, so I did not listen. But I kept close to Miss Laura, for I was afraid that green thing might hurt her. I wondered very much what its name was. I don't think I should have feared it so much if I had known what it was. "There's something the matter with Joe," said Miss Laura, when we got into the lane. "What is it, dear old fellow?" She put down her little hand, and I licked it, and wished so much that I could speak. Sometimes I wish very much that I had the gift of speech, and then at other times I see how little it would profit me, and how many foolish things I should often say. And I don't believe human beings would love animals as well, if they could speak. When we reached the house, we got a joyful surprise. There was a trunk standing on the veranda, and as soon as Mrs. Wood saw it, she gave a little shriek: "My dear boy!" Mr. Harry was there, sure enough, and stepped out through the open door. He took his mother in his arms and kissed her, then he shook hands with Miss Laura and Mr. Maxwell, who seemed to be an old friend of his. They all sat down on the veranda and talked, and I lay at Miss Laura's feet and looked at Mr. Harry. He was such a handsome young man, and had such a noble face. He was older and graver looking than when I saw him last, and he had a light, brown moustache that he did not have when he was in Fairport. He seemed very fond of his mother and of Miss Laura, and however grave his face might be when he was looking at Mr. Maxwell, it always lighted up when he turned to them. "What dog is that?" he said at last, with a puzzled face, and pointing to...
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Add this copy of Beautiful Joe to cart. $40.05, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2013 by RareBooksClub. com.
A Great Read, You will laugh, You'll cry but lou will absolutely love this book.
Joyce J
Apr 4, 2013
Excellent service
Book was better than described. Arrived in a fast time and packaged very well.
oschar
Jun 10, 2010
times gone by
This is a lovely book full of days gone by when life moved at a slower pace. Love the way it has been written and to be able to share this dogs second chance with such a wonderful family.
appalachiacat
Aug 13, 2009
A Tale of Courage and Heart
On Christmas day, 1961, I received this book as a present. Reading it was a truly life-changing experience. Not only was it the first of many well-loved stories about animals, but it also formally began my love-affair with the animal kingdom.
The story is told by Joe, who lives with his siblings and mother in a ill-kept barn belonging to an abusive and alcoholic character named Jenkins. Jenkins is cruel to all around him, including his beaten down wife, neglected children, viciously used cows and horse as well as his dogs,Joe and Joe's family. There are some decidedly horrific, but realistic portrayals of the kind of abuse that animals go through evey day at the hands of humans like Jenkins and in the end, now all alone, our hero is pushed beyond what he can bear and fights back. Jenkins prevails and maims the dog and leaves Joe to die.
Of course, Joe is rescued and goes to live with the Morrises, a kindly, eccentric and interesting family consisting of a houseful of kids, happy animals and wise adults.The Morris boys give him the name of "Beautiful Joe". And so Beautiful Joe's new life begins.
"Beautiful Joe" is definitely a "Moral Tale", which will always have a place on the world's bookshelves. Kids (and everyone else) enjoy stories where the helpless are rescued and the rescuers win out over the bad guys.
This book has great character development, practical advice on dog training and shows how organization, effort and well-intentioned, intelligent people working together can make things right, even when it seems that the "status quo" and the way people think is too entrenched to be moved. And, by the way, Jenkins does get his comeuppance in a very satisfying way!
ReaderfromMaine
Jul 23, 2009
Animal treatment -----
This story of a dog, so mistreated,
was so heartfelt - I cried ! I had last
read this wonderful book many years
ago, but I plan to read it on a regular
basis from now on.
