In 1892, in the town of Meaford, Ontario, Margaret Marshall Saunders was
introduced to Beautiful Joe -a mongrel dog that had been cruelly
mutilated by its owner. The author was inspired to write this true story
to emphasize the plight of domestic animals everywhere. Upon
publication, Beautiful Joe quickly became a Canadian classic, enchanting
readers of all ages. Although Margaret Saunders relocated Beautiful Joe
to a fictional town in Maine, readers know the story is actually based
in Meaford, where a park and monument have been dedicated to the dog's
memory.