Please see my review on reading Rumpus: https://www.readingrumpus.com/2018/06/the-other-dog-by-madeleine-lengle-tiny.htm...

Touché L'Engle-Franklin, a witty, urbane poodle, narrates this tale of finding her home invaded by "another dog" - namely, a new baby girl named Jo. At first, Touché cannot figure out why her master and mistress would want another dog: isn't she enough? But slowly, she becomes reconciled to this interloper, despite her obvious deficiencies as a dog, and her inferiority to Touché herself...

Written in the 1940s, and based upon the story of Madeleine L'Engle's own beloved poodle and her adjustment to a new baby in the family, The Other Dog remained unpublished for many years, until finally reaching print in 2001. It was re-released in this new edition, with new cover, earlier this year (2018). I remember reading the book back in 2001 and finding it charming, and I had the same response when picking up this reprint today. This is the original "new baby from the perspective of the family dog" story - think Poor Louie, and others of the same ilk - I feel, and is the best I have seen of the type. Well-written and engaging, it is enhanced by the expressive artwork of French illustrator Christine Davenier. Recommended to L'Engle fans, and to anyone looking for humorous new baby books with a slightly unusual perspective. ( )

This book is about a poodle whose owners have a baby and the poodle thinks that it's a tiny dog. The dog doesn't understand why this dog is so great, and questions why the owners love the dog so much, she even goes as far as comparing herself to the new baby. In the end the poodle loves the "dog" and wants the "dog" to stay.

A woman has a pet dog, and one day she brings back a baby, which the dog thinks is another dog. The dog is upset because she thinks she is a perfect dog, so they do not need another one. The dog soon realizes that he had to make the best of it, and eventually begins to take care of the other "dog".

Most stories about the new baby are from the perspective of the big brother or sister. But what if a dog was the only doted-upon dependent of the household? L'Engle drew on real-life (as told in a lovely long author's note) to show how a pet can grow more accustomed to, and even fond of, the intruder. I considered a three star rating because I don't care for the illustrations, but bumped to four because I love how Touche' develops respect for the 'new dog' by learning her name, place in the family, and habits as it learns to accept her. Subtle but significant, well-done. ( )