The Heart of a Dog

by Albert Payson Terhune

"The Heart of a Dog" by Albert Payson Terhune is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the escapades of animals, particularly silver foxes and a collie, capturing the essence of their lives outside of human civilization. This work explores themes of survival, instincts, and the bond between animals, making it appealing to readers interested in animal literature. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to the Stippled Silver Kennel, where the partners are attempting to raise and sell silver foxes. However, their lack of understanding regarding fox behavior leads to disaster when two foxes, King Whitefoot II and Lady Pitchdark, escape to freedom under the cover of night. As they navigate the wild, they begin to discover their instincts and survive away from the human touch. Their adventures illustrate the struggles and triumphs of wild animals, setting the stage for the complexities of life in the natural world that unfolds throughout the book.