Pets / Dogs Books

Marley is a hyperactive, intractable, mischievous, and entirely lovable yellow Lab, acquired by John Grogan and his wife because they thought having a dog would prepare them for parenthood. Not only did Marley take over their lives, but when children did eventually come along, Marley retained his place as firstborn and supremely difficult child. Grogan's very amusing chronicle of Marley's life and adventures is a first-rate memoir of a memorable pet.

Cesar Milan, best known for his show "Dog Whisperer with Cesar Milan," shares a wide variety of information that will help desperate dog owners everywhere with all manner of issues, from obedience to understanding the best way to communicate with their dogs. Sharing the concepts of pack psychology, canine needs, and much, much more, Cesar also provides many stories and anecdotes from his own work and life.

When Ted Kerasote adopts a stray Labrador while on a camping trip, he thinks he's just getting a pet, but he soon learns, like so many dog owners before him, that he's entering into a true relationship with an idiosyncratic individual. Filled with humor, insight, and compassion, MERLE'S DOOR draws on both colorful anecdotes and the science of animal behavior to show how Merle in particular, and dogs in general, are complex and fascinating creatures.

An essential book for any caring pet owner, DR. PITCAIRN'S COMPLETE GUIDE TO NATURAL HEALTH FOR DOGS AND CATS covers everything from fresh food diets to alternative therapies for common pet ailments. Dr. Pitcairn, a holistic veterinarian, makes a solid argument for a simple grain-based diet and natural remedies. His extensive research is backed up by his often humorous and touching stories of dogs and cats that his methods have saved. In addition to recommending a chemical-free diet and natural health treatments, the book gives exercise routines, suggestions for creating a safe, toxin-free environment for your animal, and even a chapter on helping your pet die with dignity. The second half of the book features an extensive A-to-Z list of common pet illnesses and their holistic treatment options, including preventive treatments. The book uses graphs and illustrations to make the more technical concepts clear and easy to follow.

Radio talk show host Mark Levin shares the heartwarming (and heartbreaking) story of Sprite, a mixed breed dog his family adopted from a local animal shelter in 2004. Almost immediately after the Levins brought Sprite home, the dog began experiencing chronic health problems, but as his body deteriorated, Sprite's joyful, benevolent spirit shone through even brighter. Sprite's time with his loving family turned out to be much too brief, but he touched their lives forever, and Levin's exceptionally moving memoir will do the same for readers.

Ten of Herriot's favorites. Here are illustrated stories about memorable, wise, and winning dogs.

This story of a dog was first published in 1893, and was the first American novel to be told from the point of view of an animal.

From the days of Napoleon to those of Freud, the author argues, dogs have helped shape the course of history. Dog-obsessed figures like Cromwell and Custer make an appearance, as does Alexander Graham Bell, who taught his dog to say "How are you, Grandmamma?" Text accompanied by line drawings.

Michael Schaffer has uncovered a staggering statistic that should probably make a lot of us somewhat ashamed: while people starve and suffer here and around the world, Americans spent more than 40 billion dollars on their pets in 2008. Obviously, pets are a vital part of our lives, and they deserve quality food, equipment, and medical attention, but Schaffer reveals that pets are also being treated to ridiculous luxuries such as spas and hotels, designer clothes, psychiatric treatment, and plastic surgery. Schaffer willingly admits to participating in the madness, having hired a personal trainer for his St. Bernard and even paid big bucks to have his dog's prescription for "puppy Prozac" filled. The book is full of offbeat accounts of pet-crazy people, such as the Manhattan housewife who became a dog party planner after her Army husband bought her a Chihuahua before he was commissioned to Iraq, but also functions as a serious analysis of the burgeoning business of pet pampering and what it might mean for our society and our economy.