Customer Reviews:
 The classic story of three pets' dangerous journey home December 30, 2005
Daniel Jolley (Shelby, North Carolina USA)
12 out of 13 found this review helpful
The Incredible Journey tells the story of three animal companions – a young Labrador Retriever, an aging Bull Terrier, and 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 residing in 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, and the only food available in the Canadian forests in early autumn is other animals. The cat is especially good at snaring warm snacks, and the Lab is capable of chasing something down from time to time – and 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 and rodents, but this book describes the animals' captures and 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 stay in one place long enough to refresh and 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, and 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 and fears. The commitment and bravery the animals show toward one another in the face of several very real threats is inspiring and heart-warming. If you love pets or animals in general, this is a really emotional story – not only the ending, but several sections throughout the whole book. The friendship and teamwork of these three very different animals is touching and wonderful to watch and experience. The Incredible Journey is nothing less than a classic that all animal lovers should have in their personal library.
 Sheila Burnfords best yet May 26, 2000
12 out of 14 found this review helpful
Sheila Burnford was very good at describing the thoughts of Luath the Labrador, Tao the Siamese Cat and Bodger the bull-terrier. When I read about the journeys of the three friends and how they were wounded it just broke my heart. All I'm trying to say is that this is a great book and you should read it.
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