Moobli

by Mike Tomkies (Author), Mike Tomkies (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  1992

  $3.80

  This is a true story of Mike Tomkies and his alsation dog Moobli living in the Highlands of Scotland, researching the wildlife there and withstanding the rigours of rural life together. Moobli was the author's only constant companion for eight years in the Scottish Highlands and Mike tells of his tracking skill in scenting out deer, badgers, otters and even wildcats without harming them, but making it possible for him to achieve a record of the whole cycle of nature in the western Highlands. Moobli also lived in amicable friendship with Mike's foxes and owls, as well as injured creatures which came to them for succour. He would also fetch heavy tools such as a sledge hammer or an axe as Mike worked in the woods. Mike grew to believe the animal possessed an uncanny ability to read his mind when no word was spoken or no betraying movement made, but the understanding turned into tragedy as Moobli slowly lost the use of his rear legs through creeping arthritic paralysis. Mike Tomkies has written Out of the Wind , On the Wing and Wild Water and Wildcat Haven .

• Used

  Hardcover
  1988

  $4.60

  Moobli was so powerful when fully grown that he could take a man's arm off. Yet Mike Tomkies called him 'a gentle giant'. For eight years this remarkable dog was Mike's constant companion as they roamed the 300 square miles of wild mountain terrain in the remote corner of the Scottish Highlands where he wrote his bestseller A Last Wild Place. Now, in this moving account, he reveals how an extraordinary relationship grew between man and dog so Mike grew to believe the animal possessed an uncanny ability to read his mind when no word was spoken or betraying movement made. Moobli's phenomenal tracking skill - not only after deer but in scenting out badgers, otters and even wildcats without harming them - enabled Mike to achieve a unique record of Highland wildlife. Moobli would plunge into an icy loch in winter, climb dangerously to the edge of giddying precipices while searching for eagle eyries, and fetch heavy tools (such as a sledge-hammer or axe) in his vice-like jaws while Mike worked in the woods that surrounded their home. He fought a pitched battle with a marauding stag, rescued his master on a mountain crag and lived in amicable friendship p indoors with Mike's owls and foxes. The tender care with which the Alsatian treated the many injured creatures which came to them for succor turned finally to tragedy as Moobli himself succumbed to affliction and lost the use of his rear legs through spinal arthritic paralysis.