The Dog Who Changed the World

When Sal's dad loses his job and finds another in a rural area, the hurt of uprooting and the clannishness of country life plunge her in a slough of resentfulness. Her parents buy a dog and, for a while, life improves. But having become so dependent on Dog for her happiness, Sal is all the more desperate when he goes missing. Yes, it sounds like a very trite theme indeed, but Leeson's vivid writing, his ear for the comedy of dialogue and his eye for the small but farcical incident, render this book very enjoyable. It's a must for all dog enthusiasts, but also an amusing read for people like me who would happily exterminate the entire genus.