When Martin McKenna was growing up in Garryowen, Ireland, in the 1970s, he felt the whole world knew him as just that stupid boy.” Badly misunderstood by his family and teachers, Martin escaped from endless bullying by running away from home and eventually adoptingor being adopted bysix street dogs. Camping out in barns, escaping from farmers, and learning to fend for himself by caring for his … his new friends, Martin discovered a different kind of language, strict laws of behavior, and strange customs that defined the world of dogs. More importantly, his canine companions helped him understand the vital importance of family, courage, and self-respectand that he wasn’t stupid after all. Their lessons helped Martin make a name for himself as the Dog Man” in Australia, where he now lives and dispenses his hard-earned wisdom to dog owners who are sometimes baffled by what their four-legged friends are trying to tell them.
An emotional and poignant story seasoned with plenty of Frank McCourtstyle humor, The Boy Who Talked to Dogs is an inspiration to anyone who’s ever been told he or she won’t amount to anything. It’s also a unique, fascinating look into canine behavior. In these pages, Martin shows how modern life has conditioned dogs to act around humans, in some ways helpful, but in other ways unnatural to their true instincts, and how he has benefited enormously from learning to talk dog.”
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A book about Ireland and dogs well it works for me. I will admit that parts of this story were hard for me to read. The memoir is from the heart and is hard to take sometimes. Martin lives in a working-class Irish family with 8 children both Mammy and Dad work. He is the youngest of triplets and youngest in the family. Today he would be diagnosed with ADHD but in the 1970’s he was just labeled as stupid. It is no wonder he runs away from home and finds friends with dogs instead of humans. I know that in my life dogs have always been there for me never judging not always true for humans. I am glad I read this book and I am glad Martin survived his childhood and we humans can learn from him.
Martin was a thirteen year old boy in Garryowen Ireland in the 1970s. He was the third of triplets but the only one who was hyperactive before anyone understood the condition. He was bullied and labeled stupid by everyone. His alcoholic father often beat him. So he ran away and lived in barns with six street dogs. Over a period of two or three years Martin learned a lot about dog behavior and how they communicated with each other. He learned to be the leader of the pack and how to take charge of his life. There is considerable profanity.
Interesting
Great read !
I found it very touching. I am aware of the type of communication that is described. The story of the boy is especially touching.
Interesting story line, could have been tragic but was instead a great story of perseverance
A damaged little boy with a terrible home life runs away from his abusive family. He meets a pack of dogs and learns respect, acceptance, love, kindness and safety for the first time in his life even though on the streets and struggling to survive each and every moment of each and every day.
Called this read tragic and informative. Tragic because a child growing up with attention deficit and hyperactive lives in a world he does not understand, as well as the people he interacts with do not understand what his problem is either and that child gets bullied and beaten by his elders and other children. Informative as a tool to understand what is like for any child who may suffer from the same disability.
A fascinating autobiographical memoir well worth reading, revealing fascinating and difficult aspects of life in Ireland in the 1970s, as well as Mr. McKenna’s very difficult childhood and teenage years. His story coupled with his outstanding observations into the workings of the canine mind and canine pack culture make this a most amazing read.
This book might be entertaining to middle or maybe early high schoolers but I found it too juvenile for myself. I do love dogs though.
Loved this story of a boy coming through bullying and hardship to become an honorable man. Transcends circumstances
An interesting story, written with no discernible style. The author’s story, memoir really, has the potential to be of great interest, but his lack of insight into himself leaves the reader groping for clarity. The real story here is how to deal with a child, in the case the third born of triplets, who has devastating cognitive deficiencies. The author blames the nebulous ADHD for all his problems, but his birth story belies anything this simple. Having a neuroscientist assess him and his case might provide help for future children so afflicted. This book does nothing but give entertainment as thin as soupy gruel.
His early life was so awful, yet he found his way back with the help of the dogs. I used one of his techniques to quiet a rowdy dog. A visiting friend was stunned because the dog turned around, curled up and went to sleep without a word from me. I will reread to make notes on dog behavior as I work with a rescue group and need to quickly bond with new dogs. If you are a dog person, read this book. A great story with useful information. Can’t wait for the next book and how Martin McKeena made it from Ireland to Australia.
Was interesting, but not as much dog behavior/understanding as I was expecting. Was good as far as it went. >Lots of history of rural Ireland, family structures, mores, social interactions.
Should be required reading for kids ages 10-15. Offers invaluable insight into ADHD, child abuse, Irish history and culture.
Oh yes…and with the help of the dogs, ways to think about friendship, being part of a community, forgiveness and how relationships end.