Prince Jan, St. Bernard

Prince Jan is a heroic and lively young St. Bernard dog who gets up to all kinds of adventures. This quality reprint of Jan's adventures include the original illustrations by Lynn Bogue Hunt.


From the opening chapters we see how intelligent, lovable and valiant the young Prince Jan is. Growing up in a monastery's hospice kennel, he and the other dogs talk to one another, with the eldest among them - Bruno - offering wisdom on the attributes every good dog should have. We hear about the seasons coming and going, and how the dogs learn to enjoy the cool and mountainous environment.


Eventually, Jan's life changes drastically when a person from California arrives at the monastery. At first, Jan and the other dogs assume he is merely a helper present to walk them through the trails around the hills and woods. However it soon becomes apparent that Jan is to be adopted and taken away from the monastery he knows as home. After the other dogs bade him farewell with mournful howls, Prince Jan must suddenly adapt to a whole new land and people.


Forrestine C. Hooker was a popular author who wrote her books during the early 20th century. Growing up on the Western frontier of the USA, she understood the sheer value of pets and animals as workers and companions. Several of Forrestine's books received illustrations, with animals and their adventures a favorite topic.