For most of my life Red Dog has been a legend. We were born in the same year, call the same town home, and I feel like we have traveled the same amount. He just happens to be much more famous than I, even if he was a humble dog. He’s a symbol of both where I come from and of the strength and love that I strive to be. He’s a legend.
So, it should be no surprise that the moment I saw his name blazon across a novella in a cafe bookstore today, that I bought it and read it within hours. It was only after I returned home that I realised that it is written by the author of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Louis de Bernières.
Red Dog was a mate for the whole of the North West of Western Australia during the late 1970s. Wandering through towns, hitching a ride with the locals, and sitting outside of shop fronts for the welcome cool breeze afforded by the air conditioning inside. I remember being a proud young kid (perhaps at the age of six or seven) when my parents told me he visited their store one day.
Red Dog is a novella filled with fifteen short snippets of his life. Each gleaned from de Bernières research while in Western Australia for two weeks. It tells a tale of a brave, loving but independent dog who captured the hearts of many. In the tales a real sense of personality explodes to life to give the reader a great impression of life in and around the Pilbara, an area bordered by a red harsh desert and the cool blue Indian Ocean, and how Red Dog fostered such love.
The novella does not seem to be for children, but is written in an innocent manner that would make it approachable by the like. It does not seem to be for children because although it is heartwarming, it is a sad tale. Red Dog spent half of his life searching for his owner, John, who died one night without Red Dog’s knowledge. On his travels up and down the coast of Western Australia he made many friends, who all accepted that he was a transient character, that would be gone one morning, to return days, months or maybe years later. Red Dog died in 79 after he was poisoned by unknown people for unknown reasons. This broke the hearts of many, including an eight year old boy born in Dampier.
Each of the fifteen stories could be read individually, and if chosen carefully could suit a bed time tale for children. They would love his light hearted adventures and his amusing, though smelly, habits. The work as a whole is not powerful for its artistic prowess, but because it’s based on a wonderful true story. de Bernières does take some liberty in allowing some fiction, and in his words, ?The stories I have told here are all based upon what really happened to him, but I have invented all of the characters, partly because I know very little about the real people in Red Dog’s life, and partly because I would not want to offend any of them by misrepresenting them. The only character who is ‘real’ is John.?.
It’s because Red Dog is a legend, that I had to take the time out, and although not a theme I’d normally cover in this Blog, mention the tail. For those people here to read about technology, please forgive my indulgence.
Over-all a simple, easy to read book about a marvelous Dog. Nothing in-depth or literary stupendous, but good for a quick read. The story means more to me than most because I’ve known of Red Dog since I was a pup.
17 Comments
I have just read ‘Red Dog’ by Louis Bernieres and the story has really touched my heart. I can’t stop thinking about red dog and wish that I had known him. I would love to find out more stories about this amazing charater and am trying to get hold of the other book about him called the Pilbara Wanderer. I live in South Africa and if I ever visit Australia I will try and get to Dampier to see his statue. Dampier can really be proud of this wonderful dog.
Read this book about a year ago and its a story that will stay with me forever. Something to read to my kids as well. Not too many books have made me cry but this was one of them.
Heres to you Red Dog ! May all your travels be sweet, you’ll live on in the hearts and minds of a completely new generation.
I’ve just finished reading Red Dog by Louise Bernieres and thought it was a wonderful, wonderful book. Although I own three dogs I don’t usually read fictional dog stories as I find them overly sentimental but this is a tale that no dog-lover could fail to adore. Well done, Louise, for helping to keep alive the memory of this really special, heroic Aussie charactar. I hope you find John in heaven, Red Dog.
I read de Bernieres Red Dog last night. A friend who just returned to the UK from Perth loaned it to me. She cried at the ending and so did I. It is evocatively written. Thank you to the author for bringing the story of Red Dog to me, thank you to the many people who took Red Dog into their lives and let him go again, and thank you to Red Dog for being. I hope the eternal walkabout brings you adventure and happiness.
if you liked this book then read “old yeller”.
I have just finished reading “Red Dog” over a box of tissues. The book was loaned to me by a friend to read while I was in hospital and, even though the ending brought back sad memories of my parting with my dear sweat “Chaka”, I loved it so much I just had to buy my own copy. I have already recommended this book to several friends and think it should be a must read for Australian schools. I also intend sending a copy to a young friend in Japan, who is also currently confined to hospital.
Have just finished listening to the story on ABC radio at 4.40am EST which ran over several weeks very beautifull story but sad at the end.
Must get the book now.
i picked this book up in a second -hand shop once reading the first page i couldn’t put it down untill i had read the last ,i only wish it had been longer! like everyone else i cried at the end, and will recommending it all i know especially dog lovers. i will know be contacting my relitives in perth to see if they can send anything to me in england regarding “RED DOG-BLUEY”
I was passed on the Red Dog book from a friend on a bike trip in WA. Amongst the five of us, Red Dog became a legacy. Since that January of 2002, Red Dog has become an important part of our lives. In some way or another each and every one of us has taken a little bit out of Red Dog. Rumour has it that a certain hotel in Nicholson Street, Fitzroy, VICTORIA, has a room dedicated to the red canine.
Red Dog, I salute you.
I was passed on the Red Dog book from a friend on a bike trip in WA. Amongst the five of us, Red Dog became a legacy. Since that January of 2002, Red Dog has become an important part of our lives. In some way or another each and every one of us has taken a little bit out of Red Dog. Rumour has it that a certain hotel in Nicholson Street, Fitzroy, VICTORIA, has a room dedicated to the red canine.
I heard from a friend ,who worked in Karratha during that time,about Red Dog.He knew Red Dog personally.So I decided to look in the internet and found your website.Good on ya!
I was hesitant to read a book about anything particularly a ‘red dog’ even i cried at the ending and feel that to have known this very special dog would have been more than a privilage.Long may you travel ‘Red’.
Long may red cat rule his roost too!
I was hesitant to read a book about anything particularly a ‘red dog’ even i cried at the ending and feel that to have known this very special dog would have been more than a privilage.Long may you travel ‘Red’.
Long may red cat rule his roost too!
My name is Kelly and John Stazzonelli was my father. I was five when he died in 1975 but am so glad that his memory lives on through Bluey – the most loyal of companions. (My Dad never called him Red).
I too have read Louis’ version of events. This book caused myself and my two brothers terrible pain. Dad did get married. He did have children – three.
I am hoping to one day write my own humble book on Red Dog that will include details about my Father – to tell the true story of this ordinary man with an extraordinary mate.
Until then, I will be busy trying to contact anyone who may be able to tell me more about my Dad and the stray who adopted him.
To all of you out there, please feel free to write to me and share your thoughts.
Although it’s heartbreaking to lose Dad so early, I am incredibly fortunate to have him live on through the legend of Red Dog, and I do believe that they are reunited at last.
Hi Kelly
Just saw the movie of Red Dog and I just had to know more about him and John when I saw at the end of the movie it was taken from a true story so on the net I got and after reading bits about them both and now seeing your post from John s daughter and then to see John went on to have other children nothing in the movie about any of that ??????????????
I hope one day Kelly you do get to put it right “The Real Story On Red Dog And John your father ”
all the best Kelly kind regards Michele
I was given the book of Red Dog a year ago, but put off reading it all this time, because I knew it would have a very sad ending – and it cut too close to my own wonderful kelpie, Max. Anyway, finally read it and finished it today – in tears (like, it seems, most other people who have read it).
A wonderful story and tribute to a wonderful dog. May his spirit live on forever.
well blow me, I have a pet red dog. Each page of the book was scarily close to home. My boy has always baffled me, sometimes I wonder if he is not really a dog, but a man in a suit. He does not like doing dog things, he refuses to be a conventional dog, preferring to travel in my car (sitting in front seat) with me. Yes, he does have a bad flatulence problem too!