Customer Reviews
The classic story of three pets' dangerous journey home - By: Daniel Jolley, 30 Dec 2005 
The Incredible Journey tells the story of three animal companions – a young Labrador Retriever, an aging Bull Terrier, & a feisty Siamese cat – who embark on a dangerous journey home through the Canadian wilderness. They had been staying with a family friend while their real owners were temporarily residingin Europe, but they lit out for home on their own after their current keeper left for vacation. The plan was for the couple who took care of the house to look after the pets, but fate conspired to make them think Mr. Longridge had taken the animals with him. Thus, as the animals made their way west toward their old home, no one at all knew they were missing.
Sheila Burnford's narrative is surprisingly realistic. Animals can't survive for weeks without food, & the only food availablein the Canadian forestsin early autumn is other animals. The cat is especially good at snaring warm snacks, & the Lab is capable of chasing something down from time to time – & luckily, both are willing to share with the old Bull Terrier whose age is catching up with him. It's a little sad to read about the demise of so many birds & rodents, but this book describes the animals' captures & kills rather straightforwardly. Of course, the trio also benefits from a few encounters with humans (although the Bull Terrier learns that his charms don't always win over the person on the other side of the door). These make for some emotional passages of their own, but the trio only stayin one place long enough to refresh & recover themselves.
The woods hold many dangers, which the animals could never survive on their own. Indeed, each one of them suffers trials that threaten to end their journey altogether, & the friends are also separated at times. Whatever happens, though, the drive of the young Lab as he leads his friends ever westward toward his image of home overrides individual pains & fears. The commitment & bravery the animals show toward one anotherin the face of several very real threats is inspiring & heart-warming.
If you love pets or animalsin general, this is a really emotional story – not only the ending, but several sections throughout the whole book. The friendship & teamwork of these three very different animals is touching & wonderful to watch & experience. The Incredible Journey is nothing less than a classic that all animal lovers should havein their personal library.
Sheila Burnfords best yet - By: , 26 May 2000 
Sheila Burnford was very good at describing the thoughts of Luath the Labrador, Tao the Siamese Cat & Bodger the bull-terrier. When I read about the journeys of the three friends & how they were wounded it just broke my heart. All I'm trying to say is that this is a great book & you should read it.
