A classic sentimental story of a rustic boy, Patrasche, and his beloved dog. The boy desires to be an artist and the dog helps him reach his goal. Both of them face various hardships to fulfill the dream. The novel stresses the need for hard work in order to realize an ambition. Undoubtedly a wonderful piece of writing that will be engraved in the reader's memory. Timeless!

Ouida was the pseudonym of the English novelist Maria Louise Ramé. During her career, Ouida wrote more than 40 novels, as well as short stories, children's books and essays. Moderately successful she lived a life of luxury, entertaining many of the literary figures of the day.

Marie Louise de la Ramée (1839-1908) wrote many popular novels of adventure and romance in the 1870s and 80s under the pen name of Ouida. She also produced a number of captivating stories for youngsters. One of the best, A Dog of Flanders, . First published in 1872, A Dog of Flanders tells the moving story of Nello, a gentle boy with aspirations of becoming a painter, and Patrasche - his devoted Belgian work dog. The two, along with Nello's grandfather, live in a little village near Antwerp where Nello's idol, the artist Rubens, once worked. Nello and Patrasche suffer countless hardships - poverty, hunger, cruelty, and rejection. But they persevere in the face of adversity, up to their tragic, bittersweet end.