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Beautiful Joe

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Animal

The Resume

    Born in Meaford, Ontario, Canada
    Lived in the 1890s
    Bull terrier and fox terrier mixture
    Severely abused by his original owner; eventually rescued by another Meaford resident, Walter Moore
    Subject of bestselling novel 'Beautiful Joe' (1893) by Margaret Marshall Saunders

Why he might be annoying:

    He was a mongrel.
    Modern readers may not realize the famous book is about a real dog.
    The author of "Beautiful Joe" changed the setting to Maine so she could enter the story in a contest held by the American Humane Education Society.
    A so-so movie called 'Beautiful Joe' (2000) has nothing to do with him.

Why he might not be annoying:

    His original owner cut off his ears and tail.
    Like Anna Sewell's 'Black Beauty, 'Beautiful Joe' is written from the perspective of the abused animal protagonist.
    His story led to increased international awareness of abused animals.
    The 'Beautiful Joe Heritage Society' of Meaford, Ontario was created in his and Margaret Marshall Saunders' honor.

Credit: Georgina


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 8 Votes: 12.50% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 5 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 14 Votes: 28.57% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 113 Votes: 43.36% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 4 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 24 Votes: 45.83% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 10 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 218 Votes: 61.47% Annoying