Illustrated by: Kelly Oechsli

Published by: Dutton, 1976

Awards: Children's Choice Award (IRA/CBC), 1979.


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Copyright © Marilyn Singer 1976

The Dog Who Insisted He Wasn’t

(excerpt)

Konrad was a dog–but he refused to believe it.

His mother had told him, “Konrad, you’re such a handsome dog.”

“Hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm,” sang Konrad so he didn’t have to listen.

One day he was adopted by a family who wanted a dog.  They treated Konrad just the way a dog should be treated.  He had two bright plastic dishes–one for dog food and one for water.  He had a comfortable piece of rug, a shiny collar, a long leather leash.  He was walked and brushed, patted on the head, and given chewy biscuits.  For any dog, it was a wonderful life.  But not for Konrad.  As far as he was concerned, it was a dog’s life and he wasn’t a dog!

So, he ran away.