Customer Reviews:
 Brilliant Story and Writing, but Painful at Times March 13, 2008
"Moobli" is, at times, a gorgeous book filled with remarkable stories about a rather amazing man and his beautiful, gifted dog. However, two elements deserve consideration before reading it.
First, there are many instances of the author, Mike Tomkies, smacking or hitting Moobli; and he addresses this issue in the book, saying that he believes that it is not wrong to hit a dog in the effort to teach him.
Second, there is the subject of Moobli's physical decline in the last years of his life. This was the easier part for me to read, as the decisions one has to make with a chronic and debilitating illness in an animal companion who is otherwise well and not in pain are rarely addressed with such honesty.
The book is all it promises to be -- a great story well told -- and the kind of man who would want to live in the middle of rough country, alone, without conveniences, in often unforgiving weather is probably someone who is going to be tough on everyone, particularly himself. It is a beautiful book in so many ways, and I believe that Tomkies came to regret his toughness toward Moobli, in spite of defending his training methods.
If one can keep that in mind, and not hold his hitting Moobli against him, then I wholly recommend the book.
Ridiculous name for a dog. July 25, 2000
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Moobli. Ridiculous name for a dog, if you ask me. However, what a dog and what a life. The author decides he needs a dog to help and companion him during his self inflicted lonliness in the middle of the last wilderness in Britain. From the beginning, when the puppy cannot take his eyes off Tomkies, to the inevitably sad ending, we read the diary of a magnificent beast and its intense relationship with the one human he knows.It is brilliant escapism for the reader because we know it is true. We feel acutely the pain that Moobli will have felt the one time he is physically punished by Tomkies. And the shame that Tomkies feels afterwards is almost palpable. A rather unusual, and certainly unfashionable, story but one in which the reader can become embroiled and lost within. If it has ever crossed your mind to live in the middle of nowhere, this book will tell whether you could. I finished "Moobli" with a profound sense that I knew the dog personally. This book made me realise the special bond between man and dog. It made me miss my dog.
 Beautiful and moving story. A must for every animal lover. May 14, 1998
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Moobli is Mike Tomkies's much loved German Shephard dog. He is his constant and virtually only companion for nearly 9 years living together in the isolated Scottish wilderness. This story tells the funny and often moving story of their experiences and adventures as Mike and Moobli track and study the many birds and animals of their remote and beautiful home. Moobli is a truly amazing and unique dog. He is a skilled and intelligent tracker and gentle and loyal companion and friend to Mike and the wild animals they study. He saved Mike's life twice and exhibits many amazing and practical behaviours. I found this book to be very moving in its tale of human and animal inter-dependance and love. The ending will leave you drowning in tears but ultimately up-lifted and wanting to hug your own dog. Very highly recommended for anyone who loves nature and animals.
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