Summer Reading List: All about dogs

Hi dog lovers. Do you like to read as much as I do? I don't have as much time as I'd like to just relax and read a good book, but when I do, it's just such a treat. I've had to do a lot of traveling lately (for my "real" job) and what else is there to do when waiting in airports and in small cramped airplane seats than read a good book?

Because I'm so crazy for dogs (and all animals), friends are always recommending books that feature dogs. Recently someone sent me this fun book about the Coton de Tulear called Pup Fiction by Sherry Gottlieb. Who would have ever thought that the Coton would be the main character of a novel? What a perfect book to read on the beach or on an airplane. It was fun to recognize the Coton's wonderfully quirky personality in the book's Coton narrator, Sam Spayed. Great lighthearted fun mystery.

This book got me thinking about all the other great novels I've read about dogs. Some of my favorite books, in fact, were about dogs so I thought I'd share them for any of you who love to read. Warning: Some of these books will tear your heart out so have tissues handy. (Why do I always seem to get to the sad part when I'm on a plane and have to try very hard not to cry in front of the stranger sitting next to me?)

My all time favorites:

1. The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel by Garth Stein. This is one of my favorite books of all time and I've made everyone I know read it. I Loved this book and how it made us look at our human lives through the eyes of a dog in a truthful and loving way. I thought about Enzo long after I finished this book. Even people who aren't really dog lovers or great readers will love this book!
   
   

2. Unsaid: A Novel by Neil Abramson. I just finished this on one of my trips and I definitely went through a box of tissues. Yes, there were sad parts, but it was also an uplifting and very thoughtful book about grief (humans and animals alike) and how we treat animals. I fell in love with the people in the story as well as all the animals. I still think about Cindy, the chimp.

3. One Good Dog by Susan Wilson. Part of this book is written from the perspective of Chance, a pit bull who has escaped a life of dog fighting. The other part was from Adam's point of view, the man who ultimately adopts Chance. Dog and man discover a great bond while going through very tough times. Yes, you'll need tissues for this book.

4. A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron. Yup, another tearjerker. You'll definitely shed some tears as this book is told through the eyes of a dog looking for purpose as he goes from one life incarnation to another. But when you put this one down, you won't feel sad; you'll feel uplifted and happy.

5. Marley & Me by John Grogan. Some of you may have seen the movie. I thought the book was MUCH better. I fell in love with mischievous, funny, lovable Marley, as did the rest of the world.

All of these books have a common thread: the animals in our lives have so much to teach us about our own humanity and they do so in a non-judgmental unconditionally loving way.

I've read so many books over the years and I'm sure I missed some great reads about dogs. Did I miss one of your favorites?

What are your favorite books featuring dogs? I hope you're taking time this summer to read a good book or do anything that brings you fun and joy! What could be better than snuggling with a good book, a glass of wine, and a cute cuddly Coton?

Happy Birthday Wishes:

Happy Birthday wishes go out to special Cotons who celebrate July birthdays:

Name	Gender	Home Town	Birth date
Triscuit	Female		July 2
Gracie	Female	Northport, NY	7/4/10
Maxine	Female	Glenview, IL	7/4/10
Chloe	Female	Canandaigua, NY	7/8/10
Minnie	Female	National City, CA	7/10/10
Daisy May	Female	Clarence, NY	7/11/11
Pamuk	Female		7/17
Moose	Male	Folsom, CA	7/23/11
Boomer	Male	Quincy, MA	July 2006

Want your Coton to get special birthday attention? It's easy; just join our Birthday Club.

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