Book review: ‘Beautiful Joe’

Beautiful Joe: The Autobiography of a Dog by Marshall Saunders. Originally published in 1893. Paperback, 236 pages.

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Introducing Classic Corner: From time to time, I will recommend classics of animal-related literature — be they from many years ago or from more recent times. All of us who love animals and books might not know some books that champion animals. So I hope you enjoy my suggestions. Some might be old friends while some could become new friends. In either case, I hope you are drawn to these classic tales.

I can’t imagine a better book than Beautiful Joe: The Autobiography of a Dog to launch Classic Corner. When I was a little girl in the 1950s, I spent a lot of time looking at the rack of books in my small-town drugstore. One in particular, with its cover of a smiling brown dog with bandages on his ears, captivated me so much that I saved my allowance for three weeks to buy it.  

So began my acquaintance with Beautiful Joe: The Autobiography of a Dog, Marshall Saunders’ 1893 fictionalized account of a dog named Joe who had been abused. Cruelly treated by his original person, who cut off his ears and tail, Joe was rescued by a kind man in his small Ontario town and nursed back to health in a loving home.  

Margaret Saunders, a family friend, was so moved by Joe’s story that she wrote a novel based on Joe’s life. Feeling that she wouldn’t be taken seriously as a female author, she published the book under a male pseudonym, Marshall Saunders. She also chose to tell the story from the dog’s point of view to move readers even more than publishing a straightforward, third-person narrative. She chose wisely.  

Joe’s life captivated readers as much as the book did me when I handed over a handful of coins and left the drugstore with Beautiful Joe tucked under my arm. When it was published in 1893, it became not only a hugely popular book, but it also helped to fuel the animal welfare movement.  

Many decades later, I don’t know what happened to my copy; I suspect it eventually fell apart from frequent readings. Although I no longer have that long-ago book, Joe’s story and triumph over abuse still have a strong hold on me. If you are familiar with Beautiful Joe, you will know what I mean. If it is a new book to you, read it and meet a new canine friend.

Are you the author or publisher of a book about animals that you would like considered for review? Please send the details to editor@bestfriends.org.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.