Mar 27 2008
Barking Good Books
I read…a lot. And ever since Greta came into my life, I tend to read a lot of “dog” books. (I’ve read a few “cat” books, too, but let’s face it, cats don’t offer the same story potential dogs do).
Here’s a list of the best “dog” books I’ve read recently, in no particular order (other than first, because that’s my all-time favorite).
1. Sight Hound, by Pam Houston
It’s fiction, which I don’t generally care for. But with Houston, it’s always got a real-life base, and this book is a beautiful story about love between (wo)man and “beast”.
2. Marley & Me, by John Grogan
I’m so glad I made my husband read this before we got Greta, because it makes her look so good by comparison! Anyone considering getting a dog should read this worst-case-scenario story.
3. Merle’s Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog, by Ted Kerasote
Read my review here.
4. Woman’s Best Friend: Women Writers on the Dogs in Their Lives, edited by Megan McMorris
Short stories from my peeps.
5. Bark If You Love Me: What If Mr. Right Turns Out to Have Four Legs and a Tail?, by Louise Bernikow
Bernikow writes with wit, scarasm and passion about the boxer she found and saved.
6. Dreaming in Libro: How a Good Dog Tamed a Bad Woman, by Louise Bernikow
The sequel to Bark If You Love Me, but you don’t have to read both to get the big picture.
7. What the Dogs Have Taught Me: And Other Amazing Things I’ve Learned, by Merrill Markoe
Not all dog-related stories here, but all with one theme: FUNNY.
8. Dog is My Co-Pilot: Great Writers on the World’s Oldest Friendship, from the editors of The Bark
Writers, including a Ph.D. and a D.V.M., as well as Pulitzer Prize winner and a comedienne, wax poetic about canines.
9. Howl: A Collection of the Best Contemporary Dog Wit, from the editors of The Bark
More stories, most good, some great, some terrible. Read my review here.
10. Why Do Dogs Drink Out of the Toilet?, by Marty Becker, D.V.M., and Gina Spadafori
Answering many of the canine mysteries of the world.
Want any/all of these? I get all my reads here and here.
The American Mutt-i-grees Club, founded by Pet Savers Foundation, wants to spread the word that mutts are people dogs too!
The American Mutt-i-grees Club is all about change and choice:
Changing how mixed-breed dogs are regarded, by celebrating the unique
characteristics of each one of them, and helping people make the right
choice - the choice to adopt mixed-breed puppies and [...]
The pills you pop may make you feel better, but they could be fatal to your pet. Just last year, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) handled 89,000 cases of pets exposed to human medications.
Here’s what to watch out for:
NSAIDs
According to the APCC, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen or naproxen are the most [...]
My distaste for puppy mills notwithstanding, I’m pleased to report that, stepping away from its reputation as “The Puppy Mill Capital of the East,” the Pennsylvania Legislature passed HB 2525 on October 8, a bill that will improve the lives of tens of thousands of dogs living in Pennsylvania’s puppy mills.
HB 2525 doubles the cage [...]
Two years ago today, my husband and I rescued Greta, and our lives have never been the same since. Sure, it was hard in the beginning–after all, she was a puppy with no experiences outside of living in a wire crate 23 hours a day.
Slowly, she learned how to relax and live in a home. [...]
October is Adopt-A-Dog month, a celebration established by the American Humane Association to promote dog adoptions from animal shelters and educate people about responsible pet care. Learn more about events in your area here.
And just in time for Adopt-A-Dog month, Disney’s new film, Beverly Hills Chihuahua hits theaters October 3. The film is about Chloe, [...]