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Dog Man: An Uncommon Life on a Faraway Mountain
Dog Man An Uncommon Life on a Faraway Mountain Author:Martha Sherrill This is the story of how one man's consuming passion for dogs saved a legendary breed from extinction and led him to a difficult, more soulful way of life in the wilds of Japan's remote snow country.
What a splendid read! I learned a lot about Japan and the ways of life since WWII. A beautiful personal tale that doesn't pull its punches, including domestic difficulties and bad deals. Lots of dog lore and lots of pix!
Unabridged audio (6.5 hrs) narrated by Laurel Merlington
Thoroughly enjoyable! A true story, not sentimentalized by the author or the narrator, is still deeply touching. Morie Sawataishi, the Japanese "dog man," was born the same year as my parents, and I tried to view the events of his life through their perspective. I learned a lot about Japan in the early and mid-20th century, Without this man's courage and perseverance, one dog at a time, the Akita breed would probably no longer exist.
Samantha S. (tokuguay) reviewed Dog Man: An Uncommon Life on a Faraway Mountain on
Loved this book. As an akita breeder, it was a very interesting read. Loved it so much I'm currently trying to acquire it here on this site once I get another credit in! Definitely recommend that you read it at least one if you're an animal or Japan lover!
This was a fascinating book about a man who was always true to himself even if that meant his already difficult life got even harder. I learned a lot about Japanese culture. Morie loved dogs and knew what he wanted in a good dog. He never followed show ring trends or fads but held fast to his own integrity and what he knew the Akita breed should be. I found it interesting that the struggles he faced in dog breeding all those decades remain the same for conscientious breeders today. Does one breed for modern society, in other words, a more laid-back, docile dog who lacks spirit but fits into suburban life? Or does one breed to keep the essence of the breed true to it's roots, which means a dog who may have temperament or aggression issues, in our restricted, confined world? And all through Morie's story is his faithful wife, Kitako. She was a city girl living in the snow country of Japan. She left her live of luxury for one of hard work and struggle. She and Morie disagreed on many things and argued a lot. But she stuck with him and in the end was glad she had. This is a book not only about life in Japan post WWII, not only about breeding and showing dogs, but about marriage and relationships...life's ups and downs. It is honest and open and you will enjoy it.
Rosemary F. (canadianeh) reviewed Dog Man: An Uncommon Life on a Faraway Mountain on + 242 more book reviews 
