Comments on: Pet Travel Book Club: Four Camels, a Woman, and a Dog Walk Into a Desert…

By: jet

jet — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 07:13:57 +0000

Neither of my dogs would be up for a strenuous adventure like that. I think if I had a smaller dog I would consider taking him/her bike touring with me, but I don’t think I’d ever put myself in the situation that would be life threatening anyway! I thought all Australians were well aware of the problems with baits – they are pretty much everywhere. Station owners bait, the Dept of Environmental Protection baits, if you aint watching a dog it needs to be tethered.

By: kenzohw

kenzohw — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 15:46:48 +0000

I loved the book for the candid writing style, the author’s fight with inner demons, how she described and embodied the harshness of Australian outback culture. I disliked it because of how the animals were treated. She was warned by the family at her last stop that poison baits were set out, yet made the poor decision to cut Diggity – the dog – rations. And that became fatal. Loosing a dog before to poison baits – before she embarked on the trip at all, left me baffled how you could make the same mistake twice.
The treatment of the camels is so sickening I had to put the book down multiple times. And then there was the shooting of the wild bull camels, which first came to a halt when the gun jammed and the author discovered she could scare them off just as well. Of course it was written in another time.
But I was expecting the end. On reaching the coast, the camels where left behind without a blink and the author went off to a new life … Let’s face it, the author choose camels because she couldn’t afford a 4-wheel drive.
Still a great read though!

By: Peggy Frezon

Peggy Frezon — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 16:53:47 +0000

I’m glad I read this review, although it made me feel sad…for the camels, Robyn, and Diggity. Interesting your comments about humane camel training vs. the methods she used during her trek. I can imagine her exhaustion. The theme of your responsibility to provide for your dog reminds me of a movie I keep meaning to review but haven’t yet…Wendy and Lucy. It’s a pet travel story, but I”m not sure if it was originally a book or not. Wendy has no job and no money and is traveling a great distance with her beloved dog. Most of the time it’s very sad. In the end, the dog makes it, but I can’t say the ending’s happy. I don’t want to give it away.
p.s. I know of a good memoir where the author didn’t wait until the dog was gone to write it! 😉

By: BentNeedle

BentNeedle — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 14:22:57 +0000

In reply to Jessica. I'm right there with you. I was thinking I would probably pick this up and read it until I got to that part of the review. I still might, but only when I'm in a decidedly happy frame of mind and feeling able to deal with the bad parts of life. Which would not be now. Hehe.

By: Molly The Wally

Molly The Wally — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 08:37:58 +0000

Amazing journey in many ways and pity about Diggity. Thank you for the review. Have a fabulous Friday.
Best wishes Molly

By: houndstooth

houndstooth — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 03:03:58 +0000

I’ve heard about the book you’re doing next month! 🙂

I think it would depend on what kind of adventure I was going on and the dog I was considering taking. If I didn’t have to worry about extreme temperatures, I’d consider taking a dog like Morgan with me, but I’d be a lot pickier about taking Bunny. She’s done some fantastic hikes with me, but I don’t think she’d enjoy something that was a long term kind of deal. I think I have a pretty good idea about the limits of each of my dogs, and while risking my own health and safety is one thing, theirs is another.

If I were on some kind of extreme adventure and a dog happened to join me along the way, I’d be more than happy to let it come along with me, though!

By: Pamela

Pamela — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 20:37:52 +0000

In reply to Jan.

I certainly understand. I think it was a wonderful book. But I wouldn’t call it an easy ride–certainly not for an animal lover.

Every time I read a dog memoir I wonder why the writer waits until the dog is gone to write an appreciation. That’s why I was so thrilled to read Following Atticus which I review on August 30. Given your appreciation for tough poodles, you’ll probably appreciate the miniature schnauzer who climbs mountains. And yes, he’s still alive today. 🙂

BTW, to anyone reading this after Jan, please click through on her name to see a fabulous 7 years of blogging links. Yes, 7 years. This is the matriarch of dog blogs. 🙂

By: Pamela

Pamela — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 20:34:35 +0000

In reply to Jessica.

Yes, I thought the details of the animal’s lives would be important to convey to my readers. It’s a wonderful book. But I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone.

BTW, please check back on August 30 when I’ll be reviewing Following Atticus. It’s a delightful book and it definitely meets your criterion.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 20:32:41 +0000

In reply to Kristine.

I have a feeling you might really like this book, Kristine. It’s very well written. Funny in places. But it’s a hard subject. I’d recommend it to anyone who ever thinks about what it means to be afraid.

BTW, you realize how many people in the world would look at our story, seeing you move across the country far from your family and think you’re a brave adventurer? 🙂

By: Pamela

Pamela — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 20:30:45 +0000

In reply to Edie. I loved this book. But I had a hard time getting my head around it. It's one that leaves you pondering but not necessarily knowing what to say. Hmmm, didn't know about the Rushdie connection. But I found it kinda amazing how she hooked up with Doris Lessing. Robyn Davidson is definitely a woman with Balls? Ovaries? Who knows.