Ouida, pseudonym of Maria Louise Ramé, (Jan. 1, 1839 Jan. 25, 1908), English novelist. Her first novel, Granville de Vigne, was first published serially in 186163. Her stirring narrative style and a lack of sermonizing caught the public's fancy. She was the author of a number of animal stories, of which A Dog of Flanders (1872) was long a children's favorite. A Dog of Flanders takes place In 19th century Belgium. A boy named Nello becomes an orphan at the age of two. One day, Nello and his granddad find a dog who was almost beaten to death, and name him Patrasche. Due to the good care, the dog recovers, and from then on, Nello and Patrasche are inseparable. Since they are very poor, Nello and his companions have to find a way to make their living.