Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29836 in Books
• Published on: 1999-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

Synopsis
This frank and often very funny account of the ways of dog and man is also a bittersweet reckoning with the limits of all relationships a lament for the ultimate futility of even the deepest love.

Customer Reviews

True love is not species dependent.
J.R.Ackerley once described Tulip, the subject of this elongated essay, as 'the love of his life.' Some may imagine this declaration to be a little overstated, but none who who have read this book will retain any doubt that that is exactly what this Alsatian bitch was. His love, respect and empathy for his constant companion shouts out from every line.

The adoration he holds for her becomes immediately evident as he spends two delightful pages describing her physical appeal in ponderous detail, from her tall, pointed ears that 'glow shell-pink as though incandescent,' right down to the black fur covering her back which, 'descending over her shoulders, fastens at her sternum, seeming to clip together with an ivory brooch.' Ackerley is not a confident owner and the way that he describes Tulip's everyday routines reveals as much about his own personality and attitudes as it does about the dog itself. It is heartbreaking to read on, as he laments his shame at not being able to fully understand what it is Tulip wants from him. He inexorably turns to his favoured Vet, 'Miss Canvey for aid, and is full of frothing praise after she has solved yet another niggling behavioural problem that he has been unable to get to the root of. He finds it hard to cope without Miss Canvey - "I'm not exceptional," she tells a downcast Ackerley before leaving for a new country practice. "You are to me," he replies with a sigh.

This helplessness, although endearing, contrasts sharply with other sections of the book where Ackerley and Tulip come across as a terrible twosome. This is most evident when he describes the problems he has with her 'mess'. Reluctant to train her to poo in the gutter for fear of her getting run down, he allows her to 'do her business' on the pavement, (it must be remembered that this is the early sixties and 'pooper scooping' was a long way from its conception.) This drags him into all sorts of altercations with shopkeepers, cyclists and pedestrians. During these confrontations, Ackerley shows another side of his character, one which has little patience with the human race.

Interestingly enough, the introduction to this new edition, by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas provides a great deal of insight into this dichotomy of character. Luckily, I have made it a habit always to read introductions at the END of books, that way the book does not suffer from pre-imposed actualities. This time, I was extremely glad of my habit because the impression I was left with was of a short piece of writing crammed with compressed beauty and touching tenderness. It was a surprise gift from Ackerley that the inevitable drawn-out death scene never materialised; instead he chose to leave us with a a finely tuned descriptive passage condensed from a thousand early morning walks on Putney Common. It is almost as if every thought and impression culled from these walks that spread across the years and seasons, has been squeezed into one short glorious, final chapter.

She'd follow him anywhere
My Dog Tulip is an extraordinary book about the love between man and dog in general (by extension) and between Mr Ackerley and his Alsatian bitch in particular. Rescued from a working class family (and Mr Ackerley finds the working classes shockingly remiss when it comes to the care of their dogs) at an early age, Tulip immediately gave her new owner unconditional love. As well she might because Mr Ackerley is a man with love to give in return.

It is not a remarkable story in any way - simply that of their life together and Mr Ackerley's thoughts on the nature of their loving relationship - but it is deeply affecting in its gentleness and the quality of thought that he brings to their relationship. Early on, Ackerley comes to understand that Tulip thinks it is her job to protect him. She cannot therefore let him out of her sight without worrying about him. He has no need to train her on a lead since she would follow him anywhere. Theirs does seem an ideal, if unequal, relationship - one based, nonetheless, on mutual trust and a desire to be close.

Of course, Mr Ackerley has a job and a life outside of this relationship, (the rest of his life - job, family, etc., is never mentioned) but in this book (and, I feel, in his life itself), he gives priority to the time he spends with Tulip. As an aside, he reports on other dogs and their relationships with their owners and very few come up to the exacting standard of his own.

Tulip is allowed one experience of motherhood, at which she excels. However, the problems Mr Ackerley has in finding her pups suitable owners brings him to decide not to go through it again. It is only when he relaxes about the problem of Tulip coming on `heat', however, that he learns that Tulip herself can quite happily cope with the solution of dog `followers'. At the end of the book there is a kind of extended meditation on the nature of dogs' sex-lives which is instructive and profound. Dog owners are mostly found wanting, when not outright cruel.

This was a delight to read from start to finish. How could it be so riveting? It is nothing but a story of one man and his dog, devoid, I might add, of any trace of sentimentality. Nevertheless one comes to understand and appreciate both man and dog so well that a warm glow of admiration pervades one's being. Of course, it is no good reading this book if you have never had a dog yourself, because you simply won't understand.

Charming
An utterly charming book which was originally published in 1956. Ackerley writes in a style similar to that of a 1950s BBC news reader and it makes the book all the more charming in these modern times. The book is all about the key moments of his German Shepherd's life and vividly describes the special relationship between man and dog.

The book was quite humorous in parts, possibly made more so because of the politeness of some of his descriptions. At least two thirds of the book (and this is why it's a 4/5 for me and not a 5/5) are about Tulip's seasons, mating, pregnancy and sexual health. Whilst walking in London's public parks, he asks other German Shepherd owners if their dogs have mated before by asking "Has he ever been married" and looks for a "husband" for Tulip.

The overwhelming message of the book is Ackerley's devotion to Tulip and he often states how she should have whatever she wants, often at his own expense and inconvenience. A delightful book which surely is a must for dog lovers.