
In a remote Alpine valley, a shy village boy named Franz finds his place not through schoolbooks but through a keen sense of the mountains and the loyal companionship of his massive mastiff, Caesar. When food becomes scarce, the gentle giant is forced to leave, yet Franz’s determination keeps him close to the St. Bernard hospice, where monks tend to travelers lost in the relentless snow. Under the guidance of a kindly priest, Franz learns the rhythms of the high passes and joins the monks on their daily patrols, gaining a respect for the unforgiving wilderness.
During one early rescue, Franz discovers that Caesar’s instincts can locate a buried traveler faster than any human could. Their teamwork sparks the idea that trained dogs might become a vital part of the hospice’s lifesaving efforts. As the boy and his brave companion face the first fierce blizzard together, they lay the groundwork for a legend of alpine rescue that will echo through the mountains for generations.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (133K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Greg Weeks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2010-11-28
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1910–1959
Best known for writing vivid outdoor adventures, he brought dogs, wilderness, and young readers together in stories full of loyalty, grit, and heart. His classic novel Big Red became his signature book and helped make him a favorite author for generations of animal-loving readers.
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