some of my favorite books about dogs

Gabrielle Vincent wrote A Day A Dog which is remarkable for the strength and vibrancy of the drawings which tell the story without words. This is not a funny book but a very important one, and I wouldn't share it with young children without a long talk before and afterwards about the responsibilities of dog ownership. The ending is cautiously optimistic. Very cautiously.

More light-hearted is Once I Ate a Pie, this one definitely for both children and adults. The oil portraits are paired with very imaginative short poems.

Finally one of my very favorites: I am Puppy Hear Me Yap -- the Jack Russell pup on the cover has a wonderful poem about his puppy doll, I laugh every time I read it.

The touchstone mechanism isn't working for one of the books (A Day, A Dog), so I'm going to try again.

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How about Marley and Me by John Grogan? I absolutely adored that one. In fact, I gave it my Mom and told her she had to force Dad to read it. ;-)

And I'm not ashamed to admit I cried through the last 3 or so chapters. I mean, you have to see it coming, but Grogan did a really good job and capturing the heartbreak of making That Decision.

I've been meaning to read it. I'll put it on my list.

Marley and Me was wonderful. It really struck home--as newlyweds we also purchased a dog/cat to parent practice.

I gave a copy to my mother-in-law for Christmas and 5 family members have read it since.

Thanks for inviting me into the group. Maggie

One of my favorite books that I just purchased recently is A Lucky Dog: Owney, U.S. Rail Mail Mascot by Dirk Wales It's a cute story and a true one at that about a stray dog that's adopted by postal workers. Owney rides the mail train and becomes so famous that he travels around the world as a goodwill ambassador. I guess I partially like it cause I work for the Post Office and it's great post office history. However, I think it's a super story for young children and incorporates history, geography and adventures with important values like loyalty, responsibility, kindness and generosity.

Peechuz -- I'll put that A Lucky Dog on my list. I collect children's books and it sounds like one I'd like to have.

Lad: a Dog is my absolute favorite, hands down.

However, there are many other great books out there. Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor is the first in a sterling trilogy I love.

The Black Spaniel Mystery by Betty Cavanna is a story I picked up in an antique store, about twins who find two thoroughbred cocker spaniels coming down the road at them. Unfortunately, both their shy next-door neighbor Lynn, and an incredibly rich breeder claim that they are the puppies owner. Complication piles upon complication (as in all mysteries), and the twins enlist the help of their shrewd grandmother to help sort out the tangle. I loved the story even though I guessed who the culprit was right away. The fun was in seeing what Jeff and Judy said and did in each new situation.

Another favorite would be Hotel for Dogs by Lois Duncan. Two siblings turn an abandoned house down the street into a home for strays, and try to keep it a secret from their family and, more importantly, the abusive owner of an irish setter they take in. Problems occur. (Don't they always?)

Been reading some great books about dogs...

Born Without a Tail by Wulff, Cayr Ariel
Merle's Door by Kerasote, Ted
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Stein, Garth
The Dogs of Bedlam Farm by Katz, Jon
Amazing Gracie: A Dog's Tale by Dye, Dan
Timbuktu by Auster, Paul
Sight Hound by Houston, Pam
The Dogs of Babel by Parkhurst, Carolyn
What Wendell Wants by lee, Jenny