Wild Dogs and Great Stories Inspired by the Yukon: Suggested reading by American writer Jack London

by #LizPublika

Nine-year-old Jack London and his dog Rollo in 1885

John Griffith London (1876 – 1916), simply known as Jack London to most, was a kick-ass writer who published several incredible stories about dogs and wolves. The most famous of these are The Call of the Wild (1903) and White Fang (1906), both of which were set in Alaska and the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush. 

Given the lengths of these amazing works, it’s hard to imagine that he had time for anything else. Impressive, what one can do when not distracted by radio, television, or the internet. But what most people don’t know is that he also wrote many short stories related to dogs and wolves that should get more recognition than they do. 

One of these is “To Build a Fire.” There are two versions of the story, one published in 1902 and the other in 1908. Maybe because he was laboring to push out his magnum opuses at the time, the story published in 1908 became significantly better known than the one before it. Not that either is super popular today, hence the post. It was also much darker in its tone. 

It’s about an unnamed male protagonist who ventures out in the sub zero boreal forest of the Yukon Territory. He is followed by his dog and is en route to visit his friends — ignoring warnings from an older man from Sulphur Creek about the dangers of hiking alone in extreme cold. You don’t need to know more than this to deduce that he encountered trouble. 

The story published in 1902, though, was a lighter read since in this version, the weather is not as cold and horrendous, and no dog follows the protagonist, so the guy — who has a name in this one — fares better overall. If you’re sensitive, read this one. "To Build a Fire" is a frequently cited example of the naturalist movement that portrays the conflict of man versus nature. 

It also reflects London's personal experiences in the Yukon Territory, as he journeyed there in 1897, at 21-years of age, during the height of the Klondike Gold Rush. Although he didn't strike it rich, the experience later inspired his famous novels, and the stories he wrote in between and after the fact. Write about what you know. Right? 

The other story is "Brown Wolf" (1906), and it's about instinct. A domesticated dog-wolf longs for a life in the wild. Despite the loving conditions in which he lives and the good care he receives, he cannot ignore his nature. Freaking wolves. But the story takes another twist as his past suddenly catches up to him and difficult decisions must be made.

An honorable mention is "An Odyssey of the North” (1900), which primarily focuses on a man's journey to reclaim his wife after she's been stolen. That happens sometimes. Out of the works mentioned thus far, this one’s the least related to dogs, but it does feature a section where the man, Naass, uses a sled dog team to travel to the north, thereby highlighting their importance in the region. 

Aside from writing fiction, the acclaimed novelist was also a journalist and an activist, who was one of the first American writers to reach international celebrity status and make a rather good living from his efforts. Take that, Mark Twain. His passion for writing was on par with his passion for animal welfare, worker’s rights, and a lot more. Look it up, you guys, it’s worth it. Promise. 

But, if you love dogs and want to learn a little too much about the wilderness of the Yukon, check out Jack London's Dog Stories: Call of the Wild, Jerry of the Islands, White Fang, Brown Wolf & Other Stories (1917), where you can access all of his famed works in one book, which makes it much easier to carry. Unless you download it digitally, in which case, never mind.