"The Dog and Mr. Morency."

A tale of a miserable man in an unsatisfying marriage, burdened with the care of his wife's pomeranian. He vows to shoot either dog or wife, but leading the animal to the end of the esplanade, service revolver in pocket, he meditates on the thousands of dogs being walked around the world, and on his own "miserable, despicable...absolute caricature of a dog...He saw in the reflecting eyes of the small dog a small reflection of himself. He saw the dim light of something abject, downtrodden, a little forlorn, deeply unhappy...And in that moment he could have shot himself." The July 15, 1938 issue of the Radio Times lists that the story would be read on the BBC by Stephen Jack on July 15, and that it was "written for broadcasting." In John O'London's Weekly (October 28, 1938), The Flying Goat (1939), Thirty-One Selected Tales (1947). Reprinted in Short Story Magazine (undated issue, 1940s?), Weekend (October 18-22, 1961).

ID: 
b113
Title: 
"The Dog and Mr. Morency."
Genre: 
Story
Page Count: 
10
Word Count: 
ca. 1920
Publisher: 
John O'London's Weekly
Short Story Magazine
Weekend
Year of Publication: 
1938
Topic: 
Marriage
Pets