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Whether you prefer fiction or fantasy, biographical true stories, or simply enjoy the classics, these books are the perfect summer escape for any dog lover.
Summer is the perfect time to lounge poolside, curl up on the sofa (in the air conditioning) with your furriest family, or pass the time during travel – all with a great new book in hand. And, what could be better than a book written for dog lovers, by dog lovers?
Add a few of these favorites books for dog lovers to your bookshelf or beach bag this summer:
Fiction
If you’re a dog lover who’s also a fan of fiction, fantasy, or cozy mysteries, these novels will transport you on a sweet escape this summer:
The Mountaintop School for Dogs and Other Second Chances: When Evie joins a training program at The Sanctuary, a rescue and rehabilitation center for stray dogs, it isn’t long before she learns that, despite knowing next to nothing about caring for animals, she and the dogs actually have quite a lot in common. As hilarious as it is heartwarming and as touching as it is tragic, you’ll see it isn’t just the dogs’ lives that are forever changed at The Sanctuary.
Kate Turner, DVM Mysteries: Dog lovers that also love a good mystery will quickly find themselves captivated by the Kate Turner, DVM mystery novels written by practicing veterinarian Eileen Brady. In book one of the series, Muzzled, veterinarian Kate Turner makes a house-call to one of her small-town patients expecting to be greeted by a sweet old couple and their 27 champion King Charles Cavalier spaniels. Instead, she walks in on the scene of a horrific murder and discovers the couple’s most prized pooch is missing. While police investigate the crime, it’s Dr. Turner that uncovers the truth about their small, idyllic town. In book two of the series, Unleashed, the crime-solving veterinarian has moved her house-call practice to upstate New York and away from the chaos of her former small town life. But, it isn’t long before the death of a client leaves devoted dog all alone. Police called the death a suicide – but was it, really? It turns out a veterinarian making house calls can learn a lot about the goings on in town…
Biography:
Sometimes true stories are more amazing, profoundly touching, or life-changing than anything even a bestselling author could create. This biographical novels will reach straight to your heart this summer:
Lessons from Tara: Life Advice from the World’s Most Brilliant Dog: Those who’ve read the fictional Andy Carpenter series of books by David Rosenfelt will recognize Tara the golden retriever. This biographical, non-fiction, work of art is Rosenfelt’s true-story account of the dog that entered his life and changed everything. Laugh-out-loud funny, heartwarming, and equally heartbreaking, Lessons from Tara is the first-person account of David’s too-short time with Tara, the good, the bad, and the hilarious moments they shared, and the hundreds of dogs she inspired David and his wife Debbie to rescue in her honor.
Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love: Making frequent appearances at the top of every dog lovers’ must-read books list, if you haven’t yet read about Oogy the dog, now’s the time! Author Larry Levin describes Oogy as “the ugliest dog they’d ever seen” when he and his twin sons first laid eyes on the former bait dog. With only one ear and a face scarred from the tortures he endured before being left to die, somehow Oogy maintained his will to live and held no grudges against the very species that forced him to endure such abuse. Oogy is so much more than a tale of survival. It’s a story about beating the odds, about forgiveness, hope, and, above all, love.
Classics:
You’ve already seen the movies. This summer, read the classic novels that inspired your favorite dog-centric films!
Where the Red Fern Grows: Written in the voice of an adult Billy Colman as he recounts his childhood memories as an Ozarks boy in 1930s Oklahoma. As a child, all Billy wants is two hound dogs with whom he can hunt racoons. He saves money working odd jobs for two years to afford Little Ann and Old Dan, a pair of Redbone Coonhounds. The trio quickly become skilled at hunting ‘coons, but face incredible trials and tribulations on their journey.
Because of Winn-Dixie: Life is pretty bleak for 10-year old Opal when she and her father move to a tiny Florida town, away from her friends and the only home she’d ever known. But, when Opal befriends a scruffy, mangy dog that made a scene at the local Winn-Dixie grocery store, things begin to look up.
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