The Dog Days of Summer (original idea from The Literate Housewife, modified by me) mini-challenge will begin on the first day of Summer, June 21st, and run through the last day, September 22nd. The goal over the 3 months will be to read 10 books about dogs! That's a little less than 1 book per week...are you up to it? If that sounds like too much, you could just set your own goal (you could do the 3 from The Literate Housewife event). If that's too much reading about dogs, you could substitute other animals. Here are my 10 choices:
1. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
2. Amazing Gracie: A Dog's Tale by Dan Dye & Mark Beckloff
3. Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog by Ted Kerasote
4. Dog Stories by James Herriot
5. Tales from a Dog Catcher by Lisa Duffy-Korpics
6. My Name is Henley: My Life and Times as a Rescued Dog by Judith Kristen
7. Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover's Story of Joy and Anguish by Mark Levin
8. Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog by John Grogan
9. What the Dog Did: Tales from a Formerly Reluctant Dog Owner by Emily Yoffe
10. Shelter Dogs: Amazing Stories of Adopted Strays by Peg Kehret
I already told you about the first 2 on the list (see previous post). What are the others about?
While on a camping trip, Ted Kerasote met a dog - a Labrador mix - who was living on his own in the wild. They became attached to each other, and Kerasote decided to name the dog Merle and bring him home. There, he realized that Merle's native intelligence would be diminished by living exclusively in the human world. He put a dog door in his house so Merle could live both outside and in.
A deeply touching portrait of a remarkable dog and his relationship with the author, Merle's Door explores the issues that all animals and their human companions face as their lives intertwine, bringing to bear the latest research into animal consciousness and behavior as well as insights into the origins and evolution of the human-dog partnership. Merle showed Kerasote how dogs might live if they were allowed to make more of their own decisions, and Kerasote suggests how these lessons can be applied universally.
Dog Stories by James Herriot
James Herriot is one of the most beloved storytellers of our time. The warm and joyful memoirs of his life as a country vet in Yorkshire have endeared him to countless readers around the world, and many of his most memorable tales featured man's best friend. Here are the complete dog stories from his much-beloved memoirs: a handsome collection of tales...that will warm the hearts of dog lovers around the world. Featuring a special introduction by the author and his own accompanying notes to each specially illustrated story, this tribute from man to dog is a volume no Herriot fan will want to be without.
Tales from a Dog Catcher by Lisa Duffy-Korpics
Lisa Duffy-Korpics’s Tales from a Dog Catcher is an unforgettable look at the lives of everyday people (and animals) who, whether by accident or design, come into contact with the sad, comical, and often profound world of an animal control officer.
My Name is Henley by Judith Kristen
An Old English Sheepdog starts out his life as the runt of the litter at a puppy mill in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Abused, neglected, and left to die, Henley is finally rescued by a shelter worker and then adopted into a loving home. Written in the dog's voice it brings you closer to the situation from a perspective that needs to be heard. Henley eventually relinquishes his title as top dog when he welcomes not one, but five rescued cats into his life. The interaction between canine and felines is touching, humorous, and captivating. This is a story of kindness, patience, love, respect, and understanding for lovers of all creatures great and small. Publishers note: Part of the proceeds from this book benefits three animal rescue organizations.
Rescuing Sprite by Mark Levin
Although Mark Levin is known as a constitutional lawyer and a nationally syndicated broadcaster, he is, first and foremost, a dog lover. In 1998, he and his family welcomed a half-Border Collie/half-Cocker Spaniel they named Pepsi into their lives. Six years later, his wife and son persuaded him to adopt a dog from the local shelter, a Spaniel mix. It turned out he was older than originally thought, and he was the most beautiful dog they'd ever seen. They named him Sprite. Their lives would never be the same.
Marley & Me by John Grogan
The heartwarming and unforgettable story of a family in the making and the wondrously neurotic dog who taught them what really matters in life. John and Jenny were just beginning their life together. They were young and in love, with a perfect little house and not a care in the world. Then they brought home Marley, a wiggly yellow furball of a puppy. Life would never be the same.
What the Dog Did by Emily Yoffe
A funny and insightful look at all things canine. Filled with adventures of heroic dogs, lovable and lazy dogs, malodorous dogs, phlegmatic and incontinent dogs, What the Dog Did delivers some of the most outlandish and certainly the funniest dog stories on record.
From award-wining author Peg Kehret comes a collection of true stories about the amazing lives of eight shelter dogs. Many of these dogs were unwanted because of their size, behavior, or medical condition. All of the dogs found owners who loved and cared for them and ultimately helped change their lives in tremendous ways, as the dogs have changed the lives of their new owners.
Let me know if you're going to participate in the mini-challenge!
One more thing...if you have cats, I've heard that Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron is really good.
