Happy National Dog Appreciation Day!

Dog
Image from aussiegall on Flickr. Used under Creative Commons license.

August 26th is National Dog Appreciation Day so make sure to take some time to show the dog in your life how much you appreciate them! To mark this auspicious day, we’ve put together a listing of a few great titles featuring our furry friends available at the Pasadena Public Library. This is just a small sampling of the many books we have, so if you want more, make sure to ask your librarian for recommendations!

 

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Shortly after Opal and her father move to Florida, she comes out of the Winn-Dixie supermarket with a big, ugly dog with a great sense of humor.  This dog helps Opal to make new friends in the town and helps her father open up about her mother. Though written for children, this magical book is really great for all ages.

Underwater Dogs by Seth Casteel

With more than eighty portraits of dogs swimming underwater, this book captures the exuberance, energy, and sheer joy of the canine species in a fascinating and unusual perspective.  Great for both the casual and devoted dog lover.

 Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love by Larry Levin

When Larry and his twin sons went to the shelter to put down their terminally ill cat, they never imagined that they would come home with the ugliest dog they’d ever seen, but they just couldn’t resist Oogy, who had been used as bait for fighting dogs when he was very young.  A wonderfully warm story of a truly unique dog and the family determined to give him a home.

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

This book is narrated by Chet, a dog who flunked out of the police academy’s K-9 division and who now partners with Bernie, a private detective, to continue to use his detective skills to solve crime. In their first  mystery, they look into the case of Madison, a generally well-behaved student who has disappeared. Chet and Bernie’s partnership is a great heart to the story and having a mystery narrated by a dog brings a fun perspective to the hard-boiled detective story.

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

Enzo, a dog with a nearly human soul, reflects back on his life with Denny, a race car driver, telling the story of Denny’s professional and personal struggles with all the love  and loyalty of a devoted dog. Enzo’s canine perspective sheds a compassionate light on the human condition as he helps Denny deal with the loss of wife, custody battles for his daughter, and professional sacrifice.  This one will tug on your heartstrings.