Bruce is the story of a collie who starts out life as an ugly, ungainly type and grows up not only beautiful, but also incredibly smart. Bruce protects the mistress from evil-doers and becomes a decorated war hero before returning to his home for a leisurely retirement amid the lovely trees and lakes. Told in alternating viewpoints of Bruce and his master, this lovable story is one of Terhune’s best.

Lad, a handsome collie, rules the Place for his master and mistress. With his sleek mate, Lady, at his side, he chases away neighborhood dogs and intruders. But one day, when the master brings home a spirited young male, Lady starts to spend all her time running with the newcomer. Will Lad be able to win back her loyalty? For Lad, the excitement is just beginning. Throughout the pages of this classic story, he faces one thrilling adventure after the other. A poisonous snake, the police, and hostile city streets are only a few of his challenges. Albert Payson Terhune first recounted his own dog’s exploits in a series of short stories for magazines. When readers of all ages praised Lad, Terhune collected the tales into the heartwarming volume that has captivated young readers for over 70 years. With John McDonough’s skillful narration, Lad, his furry friends and foes, and the humans in his life spring vividly from the pages.

Lad: A Dog is a novelized version of twelve short stories about a fantastic collie named Lad. Lad is a noble creature, risking life and limb in defense of the vulnerable. Many people believe Lad: A Dog was the basis for the highly popular Lassie series which gripped the imagination of children and adults alike, as has this book for generations past.

This is a collection of heart-warming short stories about a courageous rough collie that lived in what was called the Place on Sunnybank Farm near Pompton Lakes, New Jersey. Lad was a real-life dog, but author Terhune took liberties to tell fictional tales about his favorite pet.

These became vital parts of classic literature that captured dog-lover imaginations for more than a century as even the fiction had an intense feeling of reality. As owner of the actual location, Terhune was referred to as the Master and his wife as Mistress. Both of them had the fondest of feelings for Lad, who died at about age sixteen. Terhune wrote, “Yes, Lad was a ‘real’ dog, the greatest dog by far I have known or shall know.”

Buried on the grounds, Lad’s granite marker reads, “LAD, Thoroughbred in body and soul.” Join us as we listen to these wonderfully sentimental stories.