STEVE Duno found a flea-bitten litter of puppies on the roadside one day, and decided to take one home with him.

It turned out this dog was particularly doglike: incredibly loyal, exceptionally brave, fantastically agile and overwhelmingly kind.

There’s no doubt Lou was a great dog – he inspired other dogs in his owner’s training role, and actually apprehended a neighbour’s rapist.

But what mars this heart-warming tale is its author.

I found Duno to be far too self-congratulatory, patting himself on the back for what I would assume to be Lou’s (and Lou’s alone) amazing achievements.

I felt irritated, but I’m still very glad to have met Lou.