It's a dog's life.

"We went far down the garden to the farthest end, where the children and the nurse and the puppy and I used to play in the summer in the shade of a great elm, and there the footman dug a hole, and I saw he was going to plant the puppy, and I was glad, because it would grow and come up a fine handsome dog, like Robin Adair, and be a beautiful surprise for the family when they came home; so I tried to help him dig, but my lame leg was no good, being stiff, you know, and you have to have two, or it is no use. When the footman had finished and covered little Robin up, he patted my head, and there were tears in his eyes, and he said: “Poor little doggie, you saved HIS child!”

Oh Mark Twain, you genius! How do I fight back those tears and the lump in my throat! A brilliant short novel that is sure to move you. A tale of a loyal dog who discovers the dark and cruel side of humanity. Beautiful narration and immersive plotline. This is one of the most emotionally charged stories I've ever read. Will have to discover more of this legend's works now!

This audiobook started out funny and adorable... then it left me in tears. It's well-written, but heartbreaking; a full set of emotions, all packed into 25 minutes!

It started as a funny little story and took an unexpectedly dark turn which really ruined it for me. It could have been a brilliant story... I understand the message but I don't think there was a need for that.

As a pet lover I found this story quite distressing amd definitely would not let little children read it. While I can see the point of the casual contempt with which we treat animals and the causual use, abuse and experimentation they are subjected to is still relevant (unfortunately)I hope that as a society we have moved forward form this.

Once again proving that humans are selfish, ungrateful creatures, who don't deserve the love of their animal companions.

Warning: Don't read this to your children.

Leave it to Mark Twain. Suck me into a story called A Dog’s Tale. Get me well-and-true into the dog’s viewpoint and feeling the joy of puppyhood and then the pain of leaving mother. Then there’s the joy again: family found! Romp, romp, romp … BAM! Did Twain make me forget of the often-occurrence of a story featuring a dog? Oh, he sure did. Did I shake my fist in the air and say “How could you suck me in like that and then do THAT?” Yes, I did. Did I then go “Damn it … he’s good.” Yes, I did.

This was a quick story (21 minutes on audio) that intimately conveyed a dog’s life. The good, the bad, the ugly. You are warned – but it was a tremendously powerful tale.