Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I understand that the author, Hal, is a hunter and likes to watch his dog catch and kill rabbits and woodchucks. We can disagree on that. But I would think most dog lovers would not understand some of the treatment of Pat, the dog. I literally winced when I read some of his "proud" stories. A few examples: Hal and his wife, Barbara, heard Pat and Mike, "the dog Pat came with," (which the author gave away) howling in pain while being a distance from the house . They didn't investigate, but decided to wait, "They'll come home." They did, but it was hours later. Pat had been in a fight most likely with a bobcat and had a ripped ear, bleeding from multiple cuts, and limping. Hal called a vet and they decided to bring him in only if it showed infection. How about to prevent infection? How about something to help him with his pain? Pat, being a dog, once stole a hamburger for which he was hit. When he began snooping around again the owner, in his own words, "gave him a trouncing." This type of "teaching" (hitting/trouncing) was repeated several times over a small infraction (such as attempting to get on a piece of furniture). Nothing wrong with not wanting your dog on furniture, but there are ways to train other than "giving him a good trouncing." Pat was locked in a woodshed at night -- even in below freezing weather. OK, I realize this story is older and dogs were treated differently, but I can't understand why he couldn't at least stayed in the mudroom of the house in the harsh Connecticut winters. Hal suggested that Barbara take treats with her to train Pat to walk beside her and not run off into the woods. Good idea. She chose chocolates. While tolerated in small amounts, chocolates are poisonous to dogs. Obviously, Hal and Barbara did not know this. I'm sure they would not have offered it if they had known. ("Trounce" him for an infraction? Yes. Ignore his howls when being attacked? Yes. Lock him in the woodshed on below freezing nights? Yes. But I'm sure they would not knowingly give him a poisonous substance.) Yet, surely they knew chocolate is loaded with sugar and caffeine. Doesn't that seem an odd choice for a dog? Especially an odd choice to give a highly stimulated dog to train him to walk passively beside you and not bolt after a squirrel? Counterproductive at best, setting him up for failure (and perhaps another "trouncing") at worst. Hal seemed proud of his stories. He and a friend laughed when their dogs went at each other. As they separated them, (as they were eager to go kill some raccoons), they agreed that soon they should just let the dogs "have it out." Were there some magical, heartwarming moments? Of course. But too many cringing episodes (I only listed a few) to make this an enjoyable story. If you are a dog lover, and don't like reading about ill treatment of animals, stay away from this book. Sad because the setting is so lovely and I do think Pat had many great adventures. I know my dogs would love to roam free in fields. But they surely would not love being attacked by bobcats, raccoons, woodchucks, and their owner! Freedom with limits would have been easy enough as Pat stayed near Hal on their walks in fields and woods. Only when he was let out alone or told, "Go get 'em," did he go in for the kill....often ending in his own injuries.