If you are a dog person, you'll enjoy this paen to an independent mutt. Having just read "Mister Dog" by Margaret Wise Brown to my grandson, I would have to say that Stickeeen fits the prototype (tho of a much more adventurous personality).
Mostly I was impressed by what a risk-taker Muir was--the first version of Parkour? He's lucky he lived long enough to be an inspiration to generations of environmentalists. ( )

“Nothing in after years has dimmed that Alaskan storm day. As I write it all comes rushing and roaring to my mind as if I were again in the heart of it… Our storm-battle for life brought him to light and through him as through a window I have ever since been looking with deeper sympathy into all my fellow mortals”

First edition, first print of John Muir's story of the dog Stickeen. Tan cloth over boards with brown lettering and design on front and spine. Text bright and clean, binding is secure, a solid near fine book. Initially written in for Century Magazine V. 54 no.5, in Sept. 1897, titled: “An Adventure With a Dog and a Glacier.” Kimes 281

In this memoir, it is the late 1800s and the author is exploring Alaska with a dog, Stickeen. They are hiking through glaciers and end up in a bit of a scary spot.

It was ok. It really didn't get “exciting” till over half-way through. It was written in the late 1800s, so a different writing style from today. A lot of description that I wasn't always as interested in. It did get more interesting once they got onto that glacier and had to figure out how to get back. Overall, a little disappointing, though, as I expected more about the dog. ( )

Just a short story but riveting. A man and a dog stuck on a glacier. My heart skipped several beats at the climax of this story. ( )

Stickeen is a true story of a most remarkable little dog, and the harrowing adventure in which he and the author nearly lost their lives. Naturalist John Muir (1838 - 1914) was adopted as a companion by Stickeen -- a"small, worthless dog" -- in 1880, during his second trip to Alaska. As Stickeen routinely did, he followed Muir one day as he went he went off to explore a glacier. The hike turned progressively more dangerous as they traversed treacherous crevices in the slippery ice, and the two became trapped on a narrow island surrounded by deep crevices and connected only by a thin, unstable ice bridge. At great risk to his life, Muir managed to chip a narrow passage over the bridge, and had to coax the poor terrified Stickeen to follow him. The fear and anguish of the poor dog is palpable, as is the devotion of his human friend to his companion's survival. From that day forward, the two were inseparable (until Muir left for California, leaving Stickeen behind).

Stickeen was published as a magazine story in 1897, and as a short book in 1909. It has been published in collections and in book form many times. Dog lovers will love the tale, all the moreso because it apparently is true. ( )