Outstanding books about dogs?

[johnwa]

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If you know of any outstanding books about dogs that you have read, please share the title of the book with us and tell us why you are giving it high marks.

Thank you.
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[KCGoldens]

My favorite fiction writer of dog books would be
JIM KJELGAARD ~ (1910-1959)
He wrote such classics as:
Big Red
Dave and his Dog, Mulligan
Desert Dog
Duck-footed Hound
Irish Red, Son of Big Red
Kalak of the Ice
Outlaw Red, Son of Big Red
Snow Dog
Stormy
Trading Jeff and his Dog

Most of his writing was done throughout the late 40's to early 50's The were written for the preteen, but written well enough anyone could enjoy them. This man obviously understood and loved dogs! If you are lucky enough to find one of his books, dust it off and give it a try! :)

[Jo Ellen]

Pack of Two
Carolyn Knapp

Carolyn has since passed away but she wrote a spendidly down-to-earth book about the bond some people have with their dogs.

[myfirstgolden]

A great book (non-fictional) is

The Mini-Atlas of Dog Breeds

I forgot the author but it is a great reference book if you're looking for a dog and not sure what breed to get. It tells the origin, physical appearance, and personality of each breed and there are over 500 color photos.

[Kiragirl]

Loved Riptide....can't recall author.
Golden who lived on Cape Cod.
Beautiful story and drawings...

As for books about raising dogs, I did enjoy the Monks of New Skete...how to be your dog's best friend.

[Kara Fellers]

I have a book that I love, its called "For the love of Goldens" It is a collection of stories about different goldens.

Also I like "Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul"

Another one I like is "The Power of Positive Training" But I am not sure who the author is.

[KatysPal]

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764536095/qid%3D1061149757/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/104-6886092-7340713" target="_new">The Power of Positive Dog Training</a> is written by Pat Miller--there are some similar titles out there. I just bought this and have already decided it's likely to to be a favorite.

I am crossing my fingers and providing links to Amazon.com. I don't work for them and do not intend to recommend purchasing from that site, just thought it might be a handy source for other reviews of these books. I did reread the Forum Rules and believe this does not constitute advertising--if there is a non-profit site with comprehensive book reviews out there I'd prefer to link to it, but don't know of one and would welcome the info.

Other books:
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345439198/qid=1061149514/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/104-6886092-7340713" target="_new">The Nature of Animal Healing</a> by Dr Martin Goldstein. An excellent book about holistic medicine. If you are suspicious of words like "holistic" or "natural" this book may change your mind. I can't recommend this book enough. I can't. Stop reading this post! go to your local store and flip through a copy!

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0553579894/qid%3D1061149638/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/104-6886092-7340713" target="_new">The Pill Book Guide to Medication for your Dog and Cat</a>; I left my copy in CO, can't recall authors. A must for all pet owners who want to learn about prescribed or over-the-counter medication properties, side-effects, dosages and working principles. It has come in terribly handy when I want to know if I can give my dog Immodium, or I want to check dosage of Benedryl. Also has information about drug toxicity.

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0876052014/ref=pd_bxgy_text_1/104-6886092-7340713?v=glance&s=books&st=*" target="_new">Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook</a> by Giffin & Carlson. An excellent reference book for learning about canine health conditions, also contains much helpful emergency care info.

For nutrition I recommend other books, but don't want to start the food debate here <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/wink.gif" />.

Anne

[Golden Waves]

I have a book that I love, its called "For the love of Goldens" It is a collection of stories about different goldens.


My husband just bought it for me. I haven't had a chance to read it but the pics are great.

[ChicagoCanine]

KC- I love those books! (Well, the ones I've read at least...) I remember that "Irish Red" was one of my favorites of his books.
Actually, I just found one by that author, "A Nose for Trouble" lying around my house and re-read it-- it was still good ;) ... You also left out "Haunt Fox", another good one!


This is one of my FAVORITE books- DogsBody by Diana Wynne Jones.

Here are a few other dog-related books I like:

Spunky by Dori Brink
My Dog Tulip by JR Ackerley
Jock's Island by Elizabeth Coatsworth (great Border Collie book!)
Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead
'Baree: The Story or a Wolf-Dog' and 'Kazan: Father of Baree' by James Oliver Curwood

Watchers by Dean Koontz
'Fear Nothing' and 'Seize the Night' by Dean Koontz (dog is not the main character, but is important in the story)

Non-fiction:

Click for Joy
The Dog Whisperer by Paul Owens
The Hidden Lives of Dogs by Elizabeth Marshall


I haven't read it yet, but I've heard wonderful things about "The Angel By My Side" (http://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=AN268) by Mike Lingenfelter, which is about the author and his amazing service Golden (who was a rescued dog!) I've seen them together on tv, and their bond is just wonderful to see...

[judyi]

My favorite has to be Chicken Soup for Pet Lovers. Also, Golden Retrievers for Dummies was a tremendous help in knowing more about the breed and training. JoEllen is right about Pack of One. It is a great book also. I am going today to buy The Angel by my Side. That sounds so good.

[KCGoldens]

Watchers by Dean Koontz
If you check out the back of Dean Koontz's "By the Light of the Moon" you will find a picture of him with his beautiful golden retriever! :righton

[ChicagoCanine]

KC Yeah, he now has his Golden and him in a lot of book cover photos. One photo had him holding up a book, with the dog seeming to be reading it! I think it's really neat...
Did you know she was originally a 'Canine Companions for Independence' dog? In one of his books a character has a service dog (Lab) who they say is from CCI, and at the back of the book is a description of CCI and what a wonderful organization it is!

[Tannatonk]

I recently read "The Leading Lady, Dinah's Story" by Betty White and Tom Sullivan. Dinah, a GR, is Tom's seeing eye dog for many years until her eyesight begins to fail. True story. Good read, but keep the kleenex nearby!

Tanna

[Ernies Buddy]

For love of Goldens. A nice hard cover book with beautiful pictures of Goldens and charming stories abot the breed as well.
I bought it this weekend at B Dalton book store for $10.00. Can't locate B Dalton website.

Barnes and Noble (http://btobsearch.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?btob=Y&isbn=0896584690&itm=10)

[neil]

I bought my wife a book called "101 Uses for a Golden" it is a picture book with a lot of funny pictures of goldens with different captions.

neil.:pawprint

[Jo Ellen]

I've seen that book, 101 Uses for a Golden :lol We need to learn to value those tails !!

[WyattSydneys Mom]

Yellowdog by Debra Marlin is my favorite Golden book. The author has several black & white photos of her gorgeous Golden boys on Martha's Vineyard. It's a book any Golden lover would enjoy. :righton search.barnesandnoble.com...ds2Pid=946 (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=yellowdog&userid=527FJK4CJI&cds2Pid=946)

[emile]

Just read this book I found in sale pile at chapters
It called "For the love of a dog"
By Elisabeth Rose, Editor :Harmony Books New York.
Its not about a GR but anyone who as a dog will relate to the relation between this person and her dog. A real tearjerker. Anyone else read this book. Emile :cry

[Ninatoo]

My contribution to the list is an oldie: Lassie Come Home. I don't know the author, as I read it many years ago, when I was a child. That book was responsible for my lifelong love of dogs, and perhaps for my first dog being a collie.

I remember when I got to the last chapter I was crying my eyes out at poor bedraggled Lassie limping homeward. The LOYALTY of the dog was what got to me.

And still does :)
Nina :032

[prl]

GREAT book :woofpup ! It was a Father's Day gift to my husband from our girls. I just now got to reading it. Lots of good advice given from the perspective of Trixie Koontz, author, beloved golden of Dean Koontz, editor. The proceeds also go to charity (sorry, can't remember which one). Lots of great golden pix also. We really enjoyed this book.

[pam]

;) I am so tickled with this thread. I don't know about the rest of you but I'm going out today to pick up a few of these books. I've been needing a pick up and this will hit the spot for me.

I've read all of Dean Koontz books and he seems to feature Goldens in many of them. I love the jacket photos. Get the feeling he's a big Golden lover from way back. I definately want to get Trixie's book.

Thanks you guys!

[gnhykn]

"Because of Winn Dixie" havent seen the movie, but my daughter loved the book!

[Beach Blonde]

I've read Trixie's book 3-4 times since I got it a couple months ago, I laugh every time. Family members are quite tired of me reading the parts I find entertaining to them over the telephone (especially since it's practically the whole book!). It's Canine Companions for Independence that all the proceeds go to. Check Amazon for it, the best price I found.

My vote on Yellow Dog is to not read it! I borrowed it from someone and spent my evening in a big soggy sobbing heap. Guess I'm too much of a sucker for that kind of thing, I just can't handle anything to do with the death of a GR. That said, the photographs are beautiful, so get it, look at the pics but don't read it!!

[sammydog]

I love Dean Koontz! Watchers was the first one I read. The golden in that book is wonderful.

My favorite GR book is "The Golden Retriever All That Glitters (http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0876050410.html)" by Julie Cairns. This books has great pictures and text that makes me tear. The section about the golden personality is great. This book is a joy to read. As well as very informative with excellent pictures.

For books about dog behavior I love "Whats My Dog Thinking? The Essential Guide to Understanding Pet Behavior (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1571458700/104-6900959-3756706?v=glance)" by Gwen Bailey. This book basically goes over dog/pack behavior using lots and lots of pictures. This is a great book for learning how to read your dogs body language as well as other dogs. Great for people who go to dog parks.

[goldenfamily]

When we were in the process of putting our golden to sleep last month, a friend gave us a children's book, A Dog Like Jack by Dyanne Disalvo-Ryan. It's a very loving story about a family who is going through the process of losing a dog (which ironically resembles a golden) to old age and the grieving process they go through when he dies. It's a wonderful story that helped our 8-yr-old deal with losing Abbie. WARNING: it's a real tear-jerker, especially if you are going through the process yourself. Have tissues available. :doggface

[Chillers]

One of my all time favorite dog books is Where the Red Fern Grows. Haven't read it in years, but I still remember marveling at the way the bond between the boy and his dogs was written.



Definitely enjoy Dean Koontz and his golden characters too!

[Kagenbrand]

Just finished reading Beyond Obedience by April Frost--great book!

[GoldCountryGirl]

I just bought a very large amount of great books about Goldens at Bookcloseouts.com. GREAT prices and cheap shipping! I highly recommend this site for buying books. :029

[Karen and Katie]

Hi!
As I'm sure many of you know from my trials and tribulations on this board that Katie and I have recently entered the world of AKC Novice Obedience...no there are no titles yet. I just wanted to tell everyone about a book that I just read that is totally awesome. This is not exactly a training manual, but a very heartfelt story about a man and the bond he forms with his Golden Retriever, Honeybear, as they journey through Obedience training. The name of the book is "Remembering to Breathe" by Willard Bailey. At times this book exactly mirrored some of the experiences that Katie and I have gone through together. It is very well-written, funny, sad, and delivers invaluable "pearls of wisdom." I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in getting into AKC Obedience training. Also, if you are looking for a more technical step by step how-to-do-it manual, Terry Arnold has a three book set called "Steppin Up to Success" that is wonderful as well.
Karen

PS--I haven't read a book from beginning to end without putting it down in years...until I started reading Willard's book.

[Karen and Katie]

I thought of another book that I should mention here. It is by Arthur Vanderbilt and is called "Golden Days, Memories of a Golden Retreiver" It is a story about a dog named Amy who was owned by the author's parents after he was grown and gone from home. It tells of the bond the he formed with this dog during his summers spend back at home on the East Coast. Amy has that Golden personality, she is funny, mischevious, and so lovable. It is extremely funny, but beware, it is very sad but yet joyous too at the end. The book was written in celebration of Amy's life and all that she brought to everyone who knew her.
Karen

[Brandy and Charlie's Mom]

Put these awesome books on your holiday wish list! Check on Amazon for the first two:

1. My Rescued Golden. These are stories (and pictures) by new owners about their rescued goldens. One story is about a dog that was surrendered because it was "too hyper" -- he became a champion agility dog. Others became heros. Proceeds go to golden retriever rescue groups.

2. My Angels Wear Fur. Another one about animal rescue with extremely heartwarming, true stories about how much animals give to people.

3. Sparkles Book. This one is on the Adopt-A-Golden Atlanta Web site. Suitable for youth and adults, it's about the journey of a neglected golden retriever puppy after he is rescued. If this one doesn't bring a tear to your eye with its positive message, I'd be shocked. I read it aloud to my husband, and we both were reaching for tissues. It is "written" and "illustrated" by two rescued dogs. Proceeds go to the rescue group.

[TrooperandMike]

I'm surprized to find that James Harriot hasn't been mentioned - he wrote a number of books and short story collections over the years. He was a country vet in England in the 50's and 60's ( I think) and his tales of dogs and the owners are stories I've treasured since reading them.

[goldenconvert]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345446798/104-1345535-5822348?v=glance&n=283155&v=glance

The Other End of The Leash by Patricia B. McConnel! So very enlightening! ;)

Dani :ddog

[elvira]

I like the books written by John Fisher, Dogwise and Think dog? Last week I had a book from Tellington about TTouch. I have tried it with my golden boy and he loves it. About goldens, I like golden retriever, the world of dogs by Sue Pounds-Longhurst. And many more, I love to read about dogs and goldens specially.

[ryobious]

I am in the middle of reading The Other End of The Leash by Patricia B. McConnell and it is FABULOUS!! I have already learned so much from it!