Podcast
Criminal
The hosts referenced the book as an early 1970s novel that featured a poodle kidnapping, noting it as a precursor to the modern dog‑napping trend discussed in the episode. They mentioned it mainly to provide historical context rather than to endorse it. The overall tone was informational and neutral.
Episode: Masterpiece
It was about the kidnapping of a poodle, which was mentioned as being the initiating action of the dog-napping trend.
I mean even Patricia Heismith wrote a novel in the early 70s, a dog's ransom that was about the kidnapping of a poodle was like the initiating action.
But obviously ransom did not factor into this.
Episode: Masterpiece
It was a novel written in the early 1970s that was mentioned as having a poodle kidnapping as a plot point, similar to the incident with Masterpiece.
But obviously ransom did not factor into this. I mean, there's a chance he was sold on the black market. Ali Khan. In some way, possibly. And this was a problem before the new problem emerged, which was puppy mills. But this was something that would happen for people who wanted a purebred dog. I mean, the value of the dog is knowing who the dog is and asserting who this dog is. I mean, he was kidnapped at the height of his beauty and manhood, according to Pulaski. But when he was kidnapped, he was considered the most famous offscreen dog, like the most famous dog who wasn't on a Hollywood star, who wasn't Rin Tin Tin or Lassie. And if you can't say this is him, then I don't know where the where the value is. But I mean, it seems very feasible that you just start cutting that dog differently. And who's ever going to know its masterpiece? I mean, the dog could just be could have just like lived out his days in Staten Island as a domesticated pet. I mean, there's just I mean, there's no telling.
Even Patricia Highsmith wrote a novel in the early 70s, A Dog's Ransom. That was about the kidnapping of a poodle was like the initiating action.