The book Red Dog is a collection of stories about a real dog who lived in the 1970s in outback Western Australia.  There is even a bronze statue of Red Dog in the town of Dampier which became the inspiration behind de Bernieres’ book.  Red Dog is an adventurous, energetic, cheeky and completely independent kelpie.  There’s nothing Lassie about Red Dog – he is the quintessential rogue whom nobody owns yet everyone knows of in the community. Indeed, he is the Crocodile Dundee of the canine world! Whether he’s farting in cars, taking sausages and steaks off the barbies, wolfing down tins of dog food in nine seconds or sitting on his own seat enjoying free bus trips, nothing fazes Red Dog or holds him back.    I thoroughly recommend Red Dog to young and old readers alike – yes, some of the stories are sad and you may need to hug your dog afterwards, but de Bernieres has the ability to take you right into the Australian outback so that you can almost taste the heat of the desert and right into the heart of Red Dog and the spirit of his community.  Red Dog rocks!