Dog books abound in the stacks and best-seller lists these days. Here are four very different books that all share a love of dogs & their human companions.
Ivan! A Pound Dog’s View on Life, Love, and Leashes
by Tim McHugh (Turner Publishing)
Ivan is a philosopher and deep observer of human character and canine personality. He is also a one-eyed, three-legged pound dog. In this new dog memoir Tim McHugh explores the world from Ivan’s unique viewpoint. In short chapters that mirror his attention span Ivan muses on enlightenment, family, why dogs chase cars, Tolstoy, the meaning of life, and happiness. This book brims with optimism and positive thinking without veering too far into the cheesy. It is for all of us to know that when we think we’re rescuing a dog from the pound, it’s really the dogs who are saving us.
The Dog Park Club: A Mystery
by Cynthia Robinson (Minotaur Books)
This book is a special treat for Bay Area dog lovers & mystery fans. When Max Bravo, a gay opera singer comes to Berkeley to comfort an old friend in the midst of a break-up he also ends up helping out with her dog. He starts hanging out at the local dog park — a place full of characters — and Max gets drawn into the mysterious disappearance of one of their regulars. The Dog Park Club is dark & funny; it keeps up a brisk pace and takes some unexpected turns. This offbeat debut is the first in a projected Max Bravo series to be set in the Bay Area — stay tuned for sequels from this local author.
Sergeant Rex: The Unbreakable Bond Between a Marine and His Military Working Dog
by Mike Dowling (Atria Books)
The motto of the United States Marine Corps K9 unit is “I am your Guardian: You are my Protector.” Sergeant Rex follows the journey of Marine Sergeant Mike Dowling and his military working dog Rex from training to the front lines in Iraq. It reads like a heart-stopping thriller as the bomb-sniffing German Shepherd and his trainer are deployed to seek out hidden explosives and IEDs in deadly combat zones. If you’ve ever wondered how dogs are trained not just to identify danger but to search for it while explosions and distractions abound, this book takes you through the learning process with handler and dog. They prepare for the challenges they know they will face but then have to deal with all the unexpected factors the war zone presents. Along the way the understanding and bond between man and dog becomes truly profound. As Mike Dowling says “Semper Fidelis — always faithful — it’s the motto of the Marine Corps. And if ever there was a Marine who’s lived up to it, it’s Rex.”
My Dog! A Kids’ Guide to Keeping a Happy & Healthy Pet
by Michael J. Rosen (Workman Publishing)
Humorist and “fidosopher” Michael Rosen has written a fantastic guide for kids that covers everything they need to know about caring for a dog. It would be a great gift for a family getting ready to have their first dog — it covers dog-proofing a house, tips for making the right choice and training basics. Any kid who loves dogs and wants to know more about them will find lots to learn here. Teaching commands, grooming, socializing and understanding dog communication are all covered. There are lots of fun facts, and it ends with a ”Field Guide for Identifying Neighborhood Dogs” — a great primer on breeds. The book has lots of interactive features, too, including a daily dog care checklist and a “Best Dog Contract” for family members to sign. It is so good the adults just might steal it away from the kids!
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