Dogs of the Railways: Canine Guardians, Companions and Mascots Since the 19th Century - Paperback

by Jill Lenk Schilp (Author), Brian Patrick Duggan (Editor)

This is the story of the vagabond canines that hopped on railroads across the United States, often becoming celebrities and national heroes. Chapters introduce canines like Owney, guardian of the railway mail service; Fala, FDR's beloved dog and train-companion; Annie, the Colorado railway ambassador; the K9 patrols who watch over the tracks; and many more. As railroads were changing America, these raildogs were changing the people who lived and worked in rail communities. For the dogs of the railways, home became the hearts of the people of the railroad. More than the dogs themselves, this book is about the human-animal relationship between a dog and a community and moments in history where that relationship symbolized the quest for home and belonging, a search that humans often share with our canine travelers.

Author Biography

Jill Lenk Schilp is a retired health care professional, animal advocate, and humane educator. Her work has appeared in books, journals, magazines and blogs. A member of the Dog Writers Association of America, she lives in Richardson, Texas.