I once wrote my own eulogy from my dog’s perspective. Totally weird, I know, but it was an assignment for a Public Speaking course. I figured using my dog’s voice would somehow make the whole endeavor feel less morbid. Besides, haven’t you ever wondered what your dog is thinking? How your lovable pup sees you? How they might describe you and your peculiar habits?
I’m certain that our dogs look at us rearranging furniture or exercising or staring into the digital void of the internet, set aglow by our computer screens, and think “what are you doing?” They must, at least as often as we stare at them lovingly bewildered as they chew on their paws and chase their tails and sniff other dogs’ hindquarters.
But until some scientist thinks up a solution to the language barrier between us and our pampered pooches, we’ll just have to keep guessing. In the meantime, enjoy these captivating and creative tales that allow you, the reader, to walk a mile in a dog’s fur (or however that idiom goes).
A Dog’s Way Home
by W. Bruce Cameron
From the New York Times bestselling author of A Dog’s Purpose comes another winning venture into the mind of man’s best friend. Adorable pit bull mix puppy Bella gives an unexpected surprise to Lucas, a young man, when she leaps from an abandoned building and into his arms. Lucas and his mother, a disabled veteran, aren’t supposed have pets in their apartment complex, but if Bella stays quiet (even though she doesn’t like the “no bark” game Lucas wants to play) maybe the neighbors and landlord won’t find out.
Unfortunately, the city of Denver has banned pit bulls and when Animal Control picks up Bella, Lucas has no choice but to find a foster family to care for her until he can find a more permanent solution. Bella has other plans. Setting off on a perilous journey home to Lucas, Bella’s story shines a light on the prejudice regarding “bully breeds” while showcasing the unwavering love and loyalty between us and our pets.
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Bookshop
Terriers in the Jungle
by Georja Umano
If your soft spot for animals extends beyond just dogs, or if your social media feed is overflowing with stories of dogs helping other creatures, this next read is definitely the one for you. Roxie and Romeo are struggling to survive as strays on the unforgiving streets of Los Angeles when they find a loving forever home with Kate, an animal conservationist. The wildlife in Kenya calls to their mom whose heart beats for the animal kingdom, and their family trades in the concrete jungle of L.A. for the lush jungles of Africa.
On an adventure across the world, these spunky pups will have to learn to navigate an entirely new landscape as they help their mom with her work saving endangered elephants. Written by an animal activist and featuring immersive illustrations and a narrative that inspires its readers to make the world a better place, BookTrib reviewer Kelsey Hall declares, “this lighthearted story is just screaming to be a Disney movie.”
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Bookshop
The Labrador Pact
by Matt Haig
Meet Prince, the fifth member of the Hunter family and a black Labrador. He lives by the Labrador Pact, remaining loyal to his humans and protecting them at any cost. This task, however, proves difficult as of late. Although the Hunters seem the idyllic family from the outside looking in, they harbor numerous secrets that threaten to tear them apart. And of course, not all dogs live by a code like the Labrador Pact; some of the other breeds have revolted.
With the Springer Spaniels leading the campaign, several dogs determine to put themselves, their comfort and happiness above their humans. A clever retelling of Shakespeare’s Henry IV Part II from the bestselling author of The Midnight Library, “it’s fabulous and moving and funny and strange,” says author Jeanette Winterson. “It will go down among the great animal books.” (Fair warning: This undeniably quirky tale is, at times, heartbreaking.)
Roam
by Alan Lazar
Half Beagle, half Poodle Nelson, lives with newlyweds Katey and Don. An inquisitive pup by nature, one of Nelson’s favorite pastimes is following a scent, but this hobby gets him into trouble when his nose leads astray. Too focused on the scent to take note of his journey, Nelson finds himself far from the home and humans that he loves in just a few sniffs. Determined to reunite with his family, Nelson tries to make his own way through the world.
Searching for his family for a staggering eight years, Nelson treks across the country, meeting a host of companions along the way: a truck driver named Thatcher who lets Nelson ride shotgun and a pack of wolves that takes him in as he navigates through the woods. “Lazar’s debut novel takes us on a harrowing canine journey where human beings can break the heart of a good dog,” says New York Times bestselling author Jacqueline Sheehan, “and yet the desire to live with and love humans is unquenchable.”
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Bookshop
Tomorrow
by Damian Dibben
Our next canine protagonist is a whopping 217 years old … and not in dog years. Made immortal by his master, Valentyne, Tomorrow has spent centuries traveling through the courts and battlefields of Europe, bearing witness to the wonderous dichotomy of humankind: their propensity to both create and destroy. On his quest to find Valentyne, Tomorrow’s story jumps backward and forward in time, relaying his present actions in 19th century Venice and recounting adventures in the centuries before.
History — London’s Frost Fair, the War of Spanish Succession, Amsterdam’s Golden Age, Waterloo — like you’ve never seen it before (through the eyes of a dog). “A grand sweep of adventure and travel, war and romance — along with a generous amount of face licking — that will have dog lovers enthralled,” notes NPR. “Tomorrow offers a rich exploration of love, life and loyalty, in a world whose sensory atmosphere is irresistible.”
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Bookshop
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A Dog’s Way Home by W. Bruce Cameron
A Dog’s Way Home
by W. Bruce Cameron
From the New York Times bestselling author of A Dog’s Purpose comes another winning venture into the mind of man’s best friend. Adorable pit bull mix puppy Bella gives an unexpected surprise to Lucas, a young man, when she leaps from an abandoned building and into his arms. Lucas and his mother, a disabled veteran, aren’t supposed have pets in their apartment complex, but if Bella stays quiet (even though she doesn’t like the “no bark” game Lucas wants to play) maybe the neighbors and landlord won’t find out.
Unfortunately, the city of Denver has banned pit bulls and when Animal Control picks up Bella, Lucas has no choice but to find a foster family to care for her until he can find a more permanent solution. Bella has other plans. Setting off on a perilous journey home to Lucas, Bella’s story shines a light on the prejudice regarding “bully breeds” while showcasing the unwavering love and loyalty between us and our pets.
Terriers in the Jungle by Georja Umano
Terriers in the Jungle
by Georja Umano
If your soft spot for animals extends beyond just dogs, or if your social media feed is overflowing with stories of dogs helping other creatures, this next read is definitely the one for you. Roxie and Romeo are struggling to survive as strays on the unforgiving streets of Los Angeles when they find a loving forever home with Kate, an animal conservationist. The wildlife in Kenya calls to their mom whose heart beats for the animal kingdom, and their family trades in the concrete jungle of L.A. for the lush jungles of Africa.
On an adventure across the world, these spunky pups will have to learn to navigate an entirely new landscape as they help their mom with her work saving endangered elephants. Written by an animal activist and featuring immersive illustrations and a narrative that inspires its readers to make the world a better place, BookTrib reviewer Kelsey Hall declares, “this lighthearted story is just screaming to be a Disney movie.”
The Labrador Pact by Matt Haig
The Labrador Pact
by Matt Haig
Meet Prince, the fifth member of the Hunter family and a black Labrador. He lives by the Labrador Pact, remaining loyal to his humans and protecting them at any cost. This task, however, proves difficult as of late. Although the Hunters seem the idyllic family from the outside looking in, they harbor numerous secrets that threaten to tear them apart. And of course, not all dogs live by a code like the Labrador Pact; some of the other breeds have revolted.
With the Springer Spaniels leading the campaign, several dogs determine to put themselves, their comfort and happiness above their humans. A clever retelling of Shakespeare’s Henry IV Part II from the bestselling author of The Midnight Library, “it’s fabulous and moving and funny and strange,” says author Jeanette Winterson. “It will go down among the great animal books.” (Fair warning: This undeniably quirky tale is, at times, heartbreaking.)
Roam by Alan Lazar
Roam
by Alan Lazar
Half Beagle, half Poodle Nelson, lives with newlyweds Katey and Don. An inquisitive pup by nature, one of Nelson’s favorite pastimes is following a scent, but this hobby gets him into trouble when his nose leads astray. Too focused on the scent to take note of his journey, Nelson finds himself far from the home and humans that he loves in just a few sniffs. Determined to reunite with his family, Nelson tries to make his own way through the world.
Searching for his family for a staggering eight years, Nelson treks across the country, meeting a host of companions along the way: a truck driver named Thatcher who lets Nelson ride shotgun and a pack of wolves that takes him in as he navigates through the woods. “Lazar’s debut novel takes us on a harrowing canine journey where human beings can break the heart of a good dog,” says New York Times bestselling author Jacqueline Sheehan, “and yet the desire to live with and love humans is unquenchable.”
Tomorrow by Damian Dibben
Tomorrow
by Damian Dibben
Our next canine protagonist is a whopping 217 years old … and not in dog years. Made immortal by his master, Valentyne, Tomorrow has spent centuries traveling through the courts and battlefields of Europe, bearing witness to the wonderous dichotomy of humankind: their propensity to both create and destroy. On his quest to find Valentyne, Tomorrow’s story jumps backward and forward in time, relaying his present actions in 19th century Venice and recounting adventures in the centuries before.
History — London’s Frost Fair, the War of Spanish Succession, Amsterdam’s Golden Age, Waterloo — like you’ve never seen it before (through the eyes of a dog). “A grand sweep of adventure and travel, war and romance — along with a generous amount of face licking — that will have dog lovers enthralled,” notes NPR. “Tomorrow offers a rich exploration of love, life and loyalty, in a world whose sensory atmosphere is irresistible.”
