Dog books abound in the stacks and on best-seller lists these days. Here are four very different tomes for canine-loving readers of all ages.
Your Dog’s Best Health: A Dozen Reasonable Things to Expect from Your Vet
by Dr. Nancy Kay (CreateSpace)
Dr. Nancy Kay, frequent Bay Woof contributor and author of the award-winning Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy Healthy, Longer Life, has just released a very helpful new book that covers everything you need to know about visiting the vet in a wide range of scenarios. From the point of view of an experienced veterinarian and dog lover, Dr. Kay talks you through conversations with your own vet about such topics as the cost of care, access to your animal during treatment, and second opinions. She devotes a chapter to a particularly thorny topic: “Discussion about Your Internet Research” – something we often do but aren’t always sure how to broach. The slim volume also discusses your dog’s diet and shots, expectations vets have of their patients, and what you should expect of them, in return. The chapter on end-of-life care is a compassionate guide for a very difficult time when we might not be thinking very clearly – a very valuable read whether you’ve been through the experience before or are facing it for the first time. This book is a great resource for both new and experienced dog owners.
Eli, No!
by Katie Kirk (Abrams Books for Young Readers)
If you want to share your love of dogs with a young child in your life, this bright and colorful picture book is a great way to start. Written and illustrated by a talented graphic designer, it follows the destructive trail of an energetic dog who likes to make a mess. Eli’s adventures are illustrated in modern, eye-catching spreads that both adults and children will enjoy. If you read it out loud you’ll get to practice command voice together! And at the end there is the unconditional love of Eli for all dogs, adding a wonderful message to a very fun read.
Showoff
by Gordon Korman (Scholastic Press)
Written for middle school readers, Gordon Korman’s The Swindle series is comprised of fun, fast-paced mystery novels. The latest, Showoff, centers on an international dog show in New York City. Think Christopher Guest’s film Best in Show but written with a young teen demographic in mind. Korman is a tremendously prolific writer and especially popular with the hard-to-engage boy readers. His hero, Griffin Bing, The Man with the Plan, sets out to redeem a hard-luck Doberman by making him a champion after a colossal mishap. For young readers who love dogs, this humorous behind-the-scenes look at dog shows will be just as winning as the hapless, charming dog at the center of it all.
The Dog Who Knew Too Much
by Spencer Quinn (Atria Books)
Adult mystery readers who enjoy a bit of doggie humor with their whodunnits probably already know about the series featuring canine detective Chet and his human partner Bernie. The first book in the series, Dog On It, was praised by Stephen King: “This dog’s-eye view of the gumshoe bit is entertaining, and laugh-out-loud funny.” But did you know that Spencer Quinn is a pseudonym for popular novelist Peter Abrahams? By either name, the author keeps the pace flying and you’ll find his latest installation hard to put down.
BookHound is a Bay Woof column featuring a wide variety of books of interest to dog lovers. If you’d like to see your favorite dog-themed book reviewed in a future installment, please contact editor@baywoof.com.
Holly Fogleboch is a life-long bibliophile and has recently moved to the Bay Area with her black lab, Daisy.
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