Let's create a list of good animal books.

[AZBlue]

With "Marley and Me" coming to theaters, animal books are of course all the rave now. Well, they've always been the rave with me - whether it's good pet-care books or insightful and caring stories, I love books about animals almost as much as I love animals!

I saw this on my local website and wanted to share it here as well:
The book, The Puppy Who Refused to Die, is written through Mr. Green's voice (ruff), and chronicles his life from his rescue as a pup to now.

The 111-page book, with photos, has sold 155 copies since its summer release, and is now available at Changing Hands bookstore in Tempe. It is also sold online at Amazon and Target. Cost is $17.95, and when customers purchase a copy through www.florianvalentine.com 20 percent goes to the rescue group of the customer's choice.

Lockinger, who owns four golden retrievers, considers Mr. Green his favorite.

"I took care of him and gave him his medicine," he said.

Mr. Green was named after the ribbon color that identified him in a litter and was rescued from a Tucson puppy mill. He was one of nine puppies that survived a 22-member litter. The mother rejected the entire litter at birth.

Veterinarians didn't expect Mr. Green to live past his first year after battling pneumonia and a lung disorder called pulmonary bullae, where bubbles surround his lungs. If a bubble were to burst, Lockinger said, it makes it difficult for the golden retriever to breathe.

Lockinger says Mr. Green's story of being rescued from a puppy mill isn't new, but he hopes it brings awareness.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/2008/12/19/20081219mr-green1220.html


So I ask - what are some of your favorite animal books? Let's get a list going and share titles with each other!

:hi:

[BrklynLiberal]

1. These are a couple that I loved.. I must admit I was crying at the end of each one....

The Dogs Who Came to Stay by George Pitcher


When a pregnant dog turned up in their backyard, the two middle-aged bachelors agreed that there was no place for it in their lives. Then the dog, which had dug a hole under the toolshed, gave birth to seven puppies. The author and his friend Ed, both of whom teach at Princeton, accepted responsibility temporarily, even though the mother was a feral animal, wary of humans. With infinite patience, the pair won her trust and acceptance. Meanwhile, the two men were captivated by one of the pups, Remus (they named the mother Lupa). They found homes for the other pups and settled down to a life centered on Lupa and Remus. They took the dogs with them everywhere-to France on the QEII, to restaurants, to visit friends. In the end, writes the author of this irresistibly endearing memoir, Lupa taught him about love.


Maya's First Rose by Martin S. Kosins

This extraordinary work is the moving chronicle of a man and his dog. Complying with the wish of his new wife more than 20 years ago, composer-pianist Kosins bought a shepherd-boxer puppy, Maya. Five years later, the wife had gone but Maya stayed, gradually becoming the most important companion in the world to the author. Over the years, Maya's hind legs gave out; Kosins built a ramp for her and carried her to favorite places. When she had a stroke, he fed her by hand. Assured by his sympathetic veterinarian that Maya was not in pain, Kosins halted his career to devote all his time to his dog until she died in his arms at the age of 17. Kosin's story is an eloquent, poetic expression of grief. Few pet owners will read it dry-eyed.

[undeterred]

2. Caroline Knapp's "Pack of Two: The Intricate Bond Between People and Dogs"

I read it while Harry was going through his cancer treatment. Loved it.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. GREAT book!! I loved it.

[Muttocracy]

3. Suzanne Clothier - Bones Would Rain from the Sky

http://flyingdogpress.com/

[AZBlue]

5. Right now I'm reading "The Good Good Pig" by Sy Montgomery.

Very interesting story about a couple who adopts a pig - not a potbellied pig, a 500 lb pig! And keeps him as a pet. Insighful tale - I had no idea pigs were so smart and so emotional. I've never eaten pork much, but I now will never eat it again.

[catgirl]

7. Yes! A must read!!

And it's a great gift to give too.

[catgirl]

6. I got Merle's Door for Christmas

I haven't read it yet, but my dad loved it.

For home training- The Idiots Guide to home training is great (really!).

[Kota]

8. I loved Merles door.

[elleng]

9. Sorry this took me so long.

Had Christmas Day Kitten at home, with other holiday books, but they've ALL been misplaced!

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/h/james-herriot/christmas-day-kitten.htm

[Beaverhausen]

10. The Norton series - about an amazing Scottish Fold kitty

here is a link to the first of three. These books are touching and funny. Be warned about the last one however. It was a five hankie ending.

http://www.amazon.com/Cat-Who-Went-Paris/dp/0449907635/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231795227&sr=1-1

[AZBlue]

11. Is Marley & Me the book as sad as Marley & Me the movie?

Just trying to prepare myself...

[Lavender Brown]

12. Creatures Great and Small by Colette (short stories)

I also just read "Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat" by Vicki Myron. Great story. :)