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PIX #1 - James Herriott, author of "Dog Stories", photographed in Scotland, with Bodie and Polly, two of his dogs. The sitting dog looks very much like our Tippy.

PIX #2 - Tippy, the dog the Krupps have had for more than 10 years, photo- graphed recently with Potluck author.

PIX #3 - Rags, the Krupp family's first Scottie dog; the grandmother of Joan Crawford's Scottie.

Recently, I read a condensed article in Reader's Digest about James Herriot's latest book about dogs. Entranced with the resume, I asked permission to in- clude something in this column, believing that many dog fanciers and owners would like to get the author's latest book, and compare notes about their pets with Herriot's tales.

Perhaps the most beloved storyteller of all time, James Herriot has delighted readers the world over with his heart-warming and unforgettable memories of life as a country veterinarian in England's Yorkshire. His previous best- sellers, "All Creatures Great and Small," "All Things Bright and Beautiful," "All Things Wise and Wonderful," and "The Lord God Made Them All," have en- deared him to a generation of faithful readers and, with the recent publica- tion of "Moses the Kitten," and "Only one Woof," he has found a new audience eager to read his most recent book.

St. Martin's Press recently announced the publication of James Herriot's "Dog Stories", a collection of 50 tales of the animal he has come to love best-- the dog.

BOOK WRITTEN BY VETERINARIAN AND DOG LOVER

As Herriot explains in the book's introduction, "I started with the intention of explaining how a cow doctor came to bring out a book of dog stories, but it reads rather like the many letters which come to me from my readers all over the world. They tell me about their dogs, about their funny ways, the things they do which bring joy into their homes. They tell me, too, about their troubles and sorrows, in fact, about the whole range of experiences which go into the keeping of a dog. Perhaps this is a good way of replying to them all. Because these are the things which happened to me."

Featuring both a new introduction by James Herriot and his own accompanying notes to each story, and beautifully illustrated by Victor Ambrus, this tribute by the master storyteller to man's best friend will be read, reread, and treasured for many years to come.

It is a volume no Herriot fan (or dog owner) will want to be without, and priced at only $19.95.

THE DOGS IN THE KRUPP FAMILY

While I am introducing the fascinating book by Herriot, I'll include a few paragraphs about the dogs the Krupp family have owned.

In the earlier years of our household we had a number of dogs...starting with Scotties. The first one of that breed we owned, named Rags, was the grand- mother of movie star Joan Crawford's Scottie.

Rags was very intelligent. When our first youngster Nathan arrived, and he had grown sufficiently to be put on a blanket in the backyard, we instructed Rags to watch over him, and if Nathan attempted to crawl off the blanket, Rags pulled him back.

Rags had a terrible death. One day, as custom, she followed my wife to the grocery. Snooping behind the counter, she picked up meat which had been treated with strychnine, to kill rats. There was no treatment to save her.

I recall scolding Rags for some reason during the early days we acquired her. It hurt her feelings so badly she would pay no attention to me for days until I had showered her with sweettalk and much attention.

Haven fallen in love with Scotties, we had two more, later.

ONE OF OUR DOGS WITHOUT GOOD MANNERS

Sometime later, a farmer who owned a large full-grown collie was looking for a home for it. Our adoption of it lasted very briefly. It's manners were not to our liking. Preparing supper one day, my wife had put steak in a skillet on the stove. The collie, apparently without any regrets, stood on its hind legs, reached and took the meat from the skillet and devoured it. Very soon thereafter we found a new home for that dog.

Another canine member of our family which both Nathan and his brother, David, enjoyed very much was of unknown pedigree, named Pal. I don't recall how we came to own him.

At that time, Nathan was working part time and often worked at the Kroger store before school in the morning. When he left home on his bike, Pal always accompanied him and then returned home by himself...that is sometimes. Pal got to be a traveler all about town.

One day when the neighborhood kids were playing ball on the street, Paul was one of the participants. Chasing the ball, Paul was struck by a police car and died almost immediately. The relationship between Pal and the boys was very close and many tears were shed.

TIPPY HAS BEEN WITH US FOR TEN YEARS

The current canine member of the family is Tippy. It is believed her heritage is beagle and collie. One of a large litter born on our daughter's farm, she was disposing of the puppies because she already had enough dogs. Our grand- daughter picked out one of the litter, but her Mom said "No". So, we were conned into keeping the puppy at our home...but it would be "her own dog." That was more than ten years ago, and we still have Tippy. The granddaughter is an adult now, but when she visits us, Tippy still knows her.

Tippy is a very smart dog. Her sleeping area is a twin bed next to David. How that came to happen...initially her sleeping quarter was on the first floor, but Tippy was very afraid of thunder storms. During a severe storm she was taken to David's room for safe refuge. That was it...from then on, only the twin bed satisfied her.

When morning arrives, she awakens before David, and coming to my bedroom, puts her feet on the side of the bed and coaxing with a whine and pleading, she gets her morning stroll...followed by breakfast.

Tippy is a wonderful watch-dog...nothing escapes her hearing. She is also an excellent traveler in the car, and has always been admitted at all motel stops.

She was never taught to sit up and beg for food...she did it instinctively. At the words "pretty girl" she also sits up.

Animals of all kinds became part of creation "in the beginning"...by God. And since then, certain of the species have become more popular as pets of man. It would appear that dogs and cats have achieved "first place" in the family.

I'd bet that James Herriot's "Dog Stories" will be a very popular book. If you cannot get it at your bookstore, write to St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Ave., New York, N.Y., 10010.

READER FEEDBACK

READER FEEDBACK ABOUT E. SMITH BANDMASTER

Several readers had inquired about one-time director of the F.H.S. Band, one of the inquiries being Don Kinnaman, former Fostoria resident, who played under him.

Kinnaman finally contacted Smith's last employer, Qua Buick Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, and got the following reply:

Dear Mr. Kinnaman: I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Earl died late last fall (1985). His wife had predeceased him several years ago. He con- tinued to live in Cleveland until maybe 3 or 4 years ago when he went to live at the Weinbrenner Nursing Home, Findlay, Ohio. His sister is still alive and I apologize that I cannot remember her name. Earl was a wonderful person who started working for us in 1950 and retired in the mid 70's. They had no children but he left a host of friends. (Signed Geo. F. Qua.)