STORIES THE ANIMALS TELL ME

by Beatrice with Julie Crawshaw Lydecker ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 21, 1979

What the Animals Tell Me (1977) was kindergarten ESP (with some pointers on pet-care) compared to Lydecker's new, extended versions of what goes on in animals' minds. Houdini the horse expresses his resentment at having been driven from his land, painfully gelded, and separated from his mare in a government wild-horse roundup. A clumsy adolescent Doberman confides that he's sensitive about his floppy ears. Other interviewees include a 300-pound Bengal tiger who loves feeling the breeze on his cheeks during a jeep-ride and the Toronto police-horses who pretend not to understand orders and especially like to break in new riders. In a more serious vein, Lydecker reports that animals, even those raised for food, do not fear death (e.g., lobsters remain calm while the water boils)--as long as it's painless. Her sources tell her, indeed, that they accept death as an extension of life. Be that as it may, the animals' stories are so feelingly told/retold that readers of Lydecker's persuasion will share every pleasure and pang.

Pub Date: Nov. 21, 1979

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harper & Row

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1979

Categories: NONFICTION