dogs

My Boyfriends’ Dogs (DVD)

By Hallmark

Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
Aug 2, 2017

My Boyfriends’ Dogs begins with Bailey Daley running through the rain in a wedding dress. She’s drenched and has three dogs in tow. Hoping to get out of the rain she ducks into a diner, where she meets the restaurant owners, Louis and Nikki. She then spends the evening explaining to them how she acquired each pup.

Adam, a typically charming golden retriever; Eve, a shih tzu; and Shirley, a dalmatian, are special. Each has been adopted from an ex-boyfriend and each mirrors the man who had owned them.

With a new job teaching high school literature, and new dream home, Bailey has been looking

A Hundred Pieces of Me

By Lucy Dillon
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Emily D.
Feb 8, 2017

If you love dogs (and I sincerely hope you do), you'll love this heart warming story of a woman finding her place in the world and a dog finding a home. Gina Bellamy suddenly finds herself trying to figure it all out on her own after her recent divorce. As she struggles to find herself in all the clutter of life she decides to keep only one hundred essential things. Little does she know, she will find that Buzz, a neglected and anxious greyhound, fits perfectly in her new life and happy moments.

 

More on Lucy Dillon:

I have read all three books by Lucy Dillon that Johnson County Library

My Dog Skip

By Willie Morris
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Hannah Jane W.
Jan 1, 2016

My Dog Skip is a rollicking jaunt through Willie Morris’ memories of his adventures with Skip, his boyhood dog and constant companion.  Skip is no ordinary dog, nor is the bond that Skip and Willie share.  In this playful and beautifully written memoir Willie writes about the years he spent with Skip, each page bursting with hilarious shenanigans, canine loyalty and ferocious exuberance.

Skip and Willie’s adventures are numerous and often outlandish.  Skip is a privileged dog who “drives” the family’s green DeSoto, roams the town with Willie, eats as much bologna and raisin bran as he likes

Lessons From Tara

By David Rosenfelt
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by Colleen O.
Dec 6, 2015

If you have a love for animals, this book will come as a treat. David Rosenfelt and his wife, Debbie, share a passion for rescuing dogs from animal shelters. Tara was Debbie’s dog when the couple met, and the one that inspired David’s love for dogs. Over the years, the couple has rescued and adopted out over 4,000 dogs. At any time, they keep between 30-40 dogs in their own home in a rural area in Maine. Of course, keeping this many dogs in a house results in many hilarious stories of the dogs’ quirks and tales of keeping the (mostly senior) dogs healthy. But there are just as many stories

Suspect (Audio)

By Robert Crais
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by Rachel N.
Sep 4, 2015

Maggie is a military canine who is injured and loses her handler in combat. Scott is a cop in Los Angeles who is injured and loses his partner in an unexpected shooting. Both are struggling with the trauma they have experienced and are working together to overcome these past tragedies. Suspect is told using multiple perspectives, which sometimes bothers me, but it’s well done here. Maggie's perspective is not cheesy, and seems realistic. The reader is able to understand Maggie better as she navigates her confusion and adjusts to new members of her pack. As the action moves along we learn about

Miracle Dogs: Rescue Stories

By Liz Stavrinides

Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
Jul 30, 2015

Miracle Dogs: Rescue Stories showcases those who have taken a chance by rescuing abandoned dogs. These inspirational stories are complemented by amazing color photographs. Each dog will draw you in with their heartwarming stories and touch your heart. Some families are famous stars, some are everyday people, and some are from organizations. 

Lance Bass, former lead singer of ‘N Sync, has adopted several shelter dogs. Two were thrown from a speeding car in a garbage bag, and they needed surgery. Lance has rescued eight dogs and says, "They are best loving dogs from the pound." 

Wyatt is a

Comet's Tale

By Steven D. Wolf with Lynette Padwa
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by Hannah Jane W.
May 7, 2015

Comet, a rescued greyhound, will win you over with her lovable, graceful and insightful personality.  Steven Wolf rescues Comet from the horrors of greyhound racing, and in turn she rescues him when his debilitating back injuries leave him disabled and unable to participate in everyday life. 

Shortly after adopting Comet, Wolf stumbles upon the idea of training her to be a service dog.  Comet learns how to open doors, provide stability so that Wolf can hoist himself up, and even pulls Wolf’s wheelchair around the local airport.  While Comet is not your average working dog, she tackles every

Bones Would Rain From the Sky

By Suzanne Clothier
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by Helen H.
Apr 12, 2015

“Even scientists fall in love, and it is said that some even talk to their dogs.”

Not memoir, not a training manual, not quite a call to arms, Bones Would Rain From the Sky is a combination of all of these. And more. Clothier examines her own journey from a child who longed to be an animal to a person who helps people like you and me connect deeply with, and better understand, our pets.

She points out that connection is “quite literally, a matter of life and death. The leading cause of death in dogs in Western countries is behavior – unacceptable, uncontrollable, inappropriate behavior.” She

My Dog An Unconditional Love Story

By DVD
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by Hannah Jane W.
Jan 4, 2015

My Dog is a sweet exploration of the relationship between man and dog.  You will be delighted to see a spunky Isaac Mizrahi rave about his pooches, listen to Richard Gere’s brief philosophical tidbits about his dog and get a peek into the beautiful connections between dogs and their humans. 

I really appreciated how the film gracefully skips from one interview to the next, constructing an exciting collage of poignant moments and revelations and giving ample opportunities to see my favorite people and their dogs.

Daniel Shire, a boy with autism, created a bridge between his world and his

Maddie on Things: A Super Serious Project About Dogs and Physics

By Theron Humphrey
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by Hope H.
Jun 9, 2014

May was National Photo Month, so I picked up a few books light on words but chock-full of story.  Maddie on Things: A Super Serious Project About Dogs and Physics is like a pictorial version of a couple of my favorites, John Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley and William Least Heat Moon’s Blue Highways.  This is another take on touring the country to discover America.

Contrary to the subtitle, I didn’t learn much about dogs or physics, nor is it super serious.  Instead I got to witness Theron Humphrey’s heart-warming journey of discovery and growing fondness for Maddie, the rescue coonhound

Lara's Gift

By Annemarie O'Brien
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by Diane H.
Jan 30, 2014

The setting is Russia. The time is 1914. The place is a count’s estate. From the time she was young, Lara has spent most of her time in the kennels with the famed borzoi dogs. For centuries these dogs were bred by aristocrats for hunting. To Lara, they are her life and her future. She has a special bond with the dogs that goes beyond the normal relationship between animals and their humans.

What seems so obvious to Lara, that she belongs in the kennel with the Borzoi, is not as clear-cut to her father. And in 1914, the decision is her father’s to make.

This story would be a good read for

Salvage the Bones

By Jesmyn Ward
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by Helen H.
Jan 22, 2014

In the days before Hurricane Katrina is to hit Bois Savage, Mississippi, families are preparing their homes for the event as they’ve always done. Young Esch and her brothers have been left to their own devices since their mother’s death as their father is usually too drunk to care for them. One brother struggles to win a coveted scholarship to basketball camp, one dotes on his Pit Bull who has just birthed a liter of valuable puppies, Esch reaches a startling and unwelcome epiphany, and the youngest just gets in everyone’s way.

This is a very difficult book to read, and thus this review isn’t

Bad Kitty Meets the Baby

By Nick Bruel
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by Becky C.
Jan 15, 2014

Life was good for Bad Kitty when it was just her at home with her human parents.  Then one day they adopt a stupid, disgusting dog.  Bad Kitty eventually learns to tolerate the dog.  Then, Bad Kitty’s human parents bring home another horrible, retched creature.  Bad Kitty assumes it’s another dog, but the neighborhood cats think it’s another cat.  They decide to enter this new creature into The Kitty Olympics to see how she competes.  Bad Kitty finally learns that this creature is not a cat or a dog: it’s a human baby.  Now what's she supposed to do?  This children's chapter book is hilarious

Beyond the Myth (DVD)

By sherrill, Libby
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Helen H.
Jan 5, 2013

I do not own a pit bull, although I’ve known one or two. I do not know anyone who has ever been bitten by a pit bull, but I do know a lot of people who have been bitten by other breeds of dogs (myself included). Thus, as an opponent of Breed Specific Banning, I knew going in that I would appreciate this film. I did not, however, understand the extent of BSB legislation across the country. Beyond the Myth looks closely at several cities that have implemented Breed Specific Bans (on Pit Bulls specifically) and how city administrators, as well as Pit Bull owners dealt with the repercussions of

Nov 23, 2011

In my reviews I often write such things as “not just for dog-lovers” and “you don’t have to own a dog to enjoy this book”. In the case of NPR’s Dog Tales, however, I suspect you probably do have to belong to a dog to appreciate these stories. I happen to be “one of those dog people” and thus enjoyed listening to William Wegman describe his Weimaraneric journey, and to one family share their dismay at their dog’s DNA test results. Even Ralph, the imaginary dog, had me sitting in the driveway. So if you are also “one of those dog people” (and you know who you are) give Dog Tales a listen. If you

Jul 15, 2011

In one of my usual somewhat harebrained moments I adopted Newman, a beautiful mini Australian Shepherd, from a dog rescue group in Stanley, KS.  Within 24 hours, I realized that I had a severely neurotic dog on my hands.  Although my mother-in-law insists he is psychotic, I don’t think he would try to kill us in our beds—he’s more worried we will try to kill him in his. But I digress—in my attempt to understand how and why Newman does anything, I ran across Dog Sense which reinforces some of the “training” I have attempted with him. Bradshaw reinforces all of his statements will solid science

The Art of Racing in the Rain a novel by Garth Stein


Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
Jul 6, 2011

The Art of Racing in the Rain is the story of a dog named Enzo, who has a very old soul. Enzo believes that if he tries hard enough to think like a man, he will eventually be reincarnated as a man.
He tries his best to help his family stay together despite a custody battle between the grandparents and Denny, Enzo's owner, over Denny's daughter Zoe.
Denny is a race car driver. He talks over all his strategies for racing with Enzo; while reading, I also learned some interesting race car facts.
Dog lovers, especially those of us who have lost one, will be sad, happy and maybe even hopeful while

Jun 21, 2011

In one of my somewhat harebrained moments I adopted a beautiful mini Australian Shepherd from a dog rescue group in Stanley, KS. Within 24 hours, I realized that I had a severely neurotic dog on my hands. Although my mother-in-law insists he is psychotic, I don’t think he would try to kill us in our bed—he’s more worried we will try to kill him in his. But I digress—in my attempt to understand how and why my dog does anything, I ran across this newly released book that reinforces some of the “training” I have attempted with Newman. Bradshaw reinforces all of his statements with solid science

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein


Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
May 17, 2011

“If I only I opposable thumbs,” says Enzo, the narrator of this metaphor of life. Full of snippets of wisdom and insight, this is also the endearing story of a family in crisis. Enzo, a terrier-lab mix, is the soul-mate of Denny, an aspiring race car driver. Enzo and Denny became a pair when Denny is a bachelor, then a husband and father, a widower and accused felon. Enzo is more than a devoted companion and friend, he is a philosopher, guide and Denny’s biggest fan. “Your car goes where your eyes go” is Enzo’s mantra. Enzo enjoys watching television and has seen a documentary maintaining that

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein


Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
Jul 1, 2010

Art of Racing in the RainI almost stopped reading The Art of Racing in the Rain right after I picked it up and read the first three pages. As the human attached to a beloved, elderly dog whose days are numbered, I found the protagonist's take on four-legged aging and decline heartbreaking. But I persevered, because the voice of Enzo, the dog who narrates the story, is so beautifully realized and compelling. As I read this wonderful novel, I never doubted for a moment that I was really hearing the thoughts, dreams and hopes of a dog. Stein has succeeded amazingly well at creating a world as seen through canine eyes and

Top Tips from Top Trainers


Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
Jun 29, 2010

index5.jpgTop Tips from Top Trainers provides 1001 practical suggestions from the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (ADPT) a highly respected group. The topics are organized alphabetically for quick viewing for each subject per trainer. The colorful pictures of the adorable pets and helpful tips provide simple ideas for the pet parent. This book is a great resource for a pet owner like me with helpful suggestions regarding my pup showing attention-seeking behaviors-such as barking and jumping. I tried the suggestions regarding “life rewards” a training technique for my pup. According to this

One Good Dog

By Susan Wilson

Rated by Helen H.
May 29, 2010

Have you ever had one of those moments when you needed all of your willpower not to smack someone upside the head? One Good Dog is the story of what happens when one man’s willpower fails and someone does get smacked. The most important day in Adam March’s life begins with a failed alarm clock, only gets worse, and culminates with a furious slap to his secretary. Predictably, his career and personal life immediately unravel during the ensuing legal battles.  Left with nothing, Adam rents a run-down, one bedroom apartment near the homeless shelter where he is to fulfill one year of community

Walking in Circles before Lying Down by Merrill Markoe


Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
Feb 23, 2010

The best category I can come up with for this book is: chick lit with dogs. The heroine, Dawn, on the rebound from a bad relationship, struggling with a second bad relationship and in the process of stumbling into a good relationship (finally!), discovers one day that she can understand the speech of dogs. This leads to interesting complications. Her dogs are hilarious, if somewhat foul-mouthed. And they may be good judges of character but their relationship advice is, as she discovers, often suspect. Dogs simply have different priorities than humans.

The author, an Emmy Award-winning

Dog On It: A Chet and Bernie Mystery by Spencer Quinn


Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
Feb 22, 2010

Dog On It by Spencer QuinnDog On It: A Chet and Bernie Mystery by Spencer Quinn is narrated by Chet the dog, sometimes known as Chet the Jet. Chet and Bernie are partners in the Little Detective Agency. Both have less than stellar law enforcement careers. Chet failed completion of the K-9 course—something to do with a cat and leaping, but the details are not revealed. As the tail (tale) begins, Bernie and Chet are experiencing a cash flow problem, when the mother of a missing teenage girl requests their services. Chet and Bernie are not fond of working domestic cases, but they agree to a least consider this one

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski


Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
Jan 22, 2010

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David WroblewskiThis is a long fiction - 566 pages - which I don't usually do, but decided to take it on vacation. It was an Oprah selection and the bookjacket blurbs caught my interest. A dog story - the protagonist, Edgar, grows up on a dog breeding and training farm, so lots of info about that. Edgar also is born unable to speak, however, he can hear. He uses sign language and writing to communicate. There is conflict between his father and uncle. I liked the info about the dogs and the plot moved right along - a few slow places, but very intense as the end approaches. I did not like the ending. Too many