Dog Lessons by Hersch Wilson

Dog Lessons by Hersch Wilson, 288 pages

 “Dog lover and master storyteller Hersch Wilson shows how our canine companions can teach us many valuable life lessons.”

— Marc Bekoff, author of Dogs Demystified

“A truly beautiful book and a must-have for any dog lover’s library.”
— Laura T. Coffey, bestselling author of My Old Dog

“Each chapter feels like an engaging walk in the woods.”
— Kathy Callahan, author of 101 Rescue Puppies

“Part meditation and part memoir, Dog Lessons takes readers off-leash to discover how our canine companions can unleash wildness, serenity, and joy.”
— Gary Kowalski, author of Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet

Sam and the Open Road by Michael John Pole

Sam and the Open Road by Michael John Pole, 202 pages

Life's journey is challenging with many pathways and obstacles. One hurdle is overcome only for another to appear with further burdens already flourishing on the horizon. Thoughts, experiences, and reflections are shared in depth by Michael on his unusual 7000km odyssey as he spends time with Jesus and his earthly four-footed companion Sam.

The Call of the Wild by Jack London

 The Call of the Wild by Jack London-120 pages

⭐⭐⭐1/2

Buck is a domesticated pet for a local judge in Alaska. He's a big dog (a mix between a St. Bernard and a Scotch shepherd) and weighs 150 lbs. One day, the gardener for the judge kidnaps him and sells him to Perrault and Charles, who are not kind. They own many sled dogs, mostly Huskies, and most of the dogs are also not kind. Buck learns to be tough and mean. He is then sold to mail carriers who are less mean, but still using the dogs as a means to an end. Finally, he's sold to Hal, Charles, and Mercedes. Hal and Charles know nothing about sleds or sled dogs, but want to travel to Dawson. Finally, Buck meets John Thornton who saves him from certain death by continuing on with Hal, Charles, and Mercedes. It's clear that John cares for Buck and Buck grows to care for John. How long will this relationship last? Will Buck stick around or will he heed the call of the wild? 

For such a short book, a lot happens in these pages. Buck goes through several different owners and has quite the adventure. Overall, the book is pretty good. It has the language from the first publishing in 1903 and some of it is outdated to be kind. There's a decent amount of violence, especially for a juvenile fiction book. 

The Dead Years by Jeffrey B. Burton

 

The Dead Years by Jeffrey B. Burton - 294 pages

Siblings Cory and Crystal Pratt are still trying to get their lives together after a tragic accident which killed their parents years ago. The only thing that distracts them now is their jobs. With Crystal working as a newly minted detective at the Chicago Police Department and Cory owning a dog training academy with two human remains detection dogs of his own, their professional paths cross every now and then.Crime, and especially murder, in Chicago is nothing new, but when a string of killings happen that seem to be connected to a Netflix docuseries and its cast and crew, Cory and Crystal are called in to stop the number of bodies from piling any higher.But when the siblings start poking around the killer's business, the killer sets their sights on the pair . . . and particularly on Cory and his dogs! Will they be able to escape the fury of the serial killer or become the newest victims?

This is the first book by this author that I've read; it was pretty good.  It's written with alternative narratives, but sometimes it took me a paragraph or two to figure out whose narrative I was reading.  But, that aside, it was a good read if you like suspense/mystery.

Flop Dead Gorgeous by David Rosenfelt

 

Flop Dead Gorgeous by David Rosenfelt-265 pages

Andy Carpenter Series #27

"Wanna be" retired lawyer Andy Carpenter remembers every dog that’s come through the Tara Foundation’s doors, but the most well-known alum of the dog rescue organization that Andy founded in Paterson, New Jersey, may be Mamie. Adopted by famous actress Jenny Nichols―Andy’s high school girlfriend―the miniature French poodle is now practically a starlet in her own right.

Andy doesn’t hold it against his friend. In fact, he and his wife, Laurie, have dinner with Jenny while she’s in town filming her next big hit. But after an eventful meal, there’s a plot twist the next morning that none of them see coming.  Jenny’s costar is found dead, a knife in his back. It’s not long before Jenny is arrested for the murder and finds herself in need of Andy’s legal services.

While Mamie becomes reacquainted with Tara, Andy’s golden retriever, Andy digs into the lives of the rich and famous.

LOVE this series.  I find myself laughing out loud...especially when Marcus is being described.  I highly recommend.

Good Dog, Bad Cop by David Rosenfelt

 

Good Dog, Bad Cop by David Rosenfelt-278 pages

The K Team Series #4

The K Team enjoys investigating cold cases for the Paterson Police Department. Corey Douglas, his K-9 partner Simon Garfunkel, Laurie Collins, and Marcus Clark even get to choose which cases they’d like to pursue. When Corey sees the latest list of possibilities, there’s no question which one to look into next.

Corey’s former mentor, Jimmy Dietrich, had his whole identity wrapped up in being a cop. When Jimmy retired three years ago, his marriage quickly deteriorated and he tried–and failed―to get back on the force. Jimmy was left to try to adjust to life as a civilian.

Not long after, two bodies were pulled from the Passaic River. A local woman, Susan Avery, and Jimmy Dietrich. With no true evidence available, the deaths went unsolved and the case declared cold. This didn’t stop the affair gone wrong... a murder-suicide committed by Jimmy.

Corey never believed it. With this case, the K Team has the opportunity to find the real murderer, and clear Jimmy’s name. Bestselling author David Rosenfelt returns in Good Dog, Bad Cop, where there’s little to go on, but that won’t stop Paterson, New Jersey’s favorite private investigators from sniffing out the truth.

I don't care for this series as much as his Andy Carpenter series.  They always have some humor throughout and that is what I enjoy the most about anything that Mr. Rosenfelt writes.

The Dog Behavior Answer Book by Arden Moore

 The Dog Behavior Answer Book by Arden Moore, 223 pages

I didn't have dogs growing up, so I never knew too much about their handling and care. Recently, I stumbled into dog ownership, so I decided to educate myself. 

Arden Moore's book is full of information and tips on how to train and handle your pet. The author makes it a point to reinforce training gently as opposed to using punishment, which is how I prefer to handle animals.

I have a way to go, but I feel better prepared for the journey having read this book. 

A Dog's Way Home by W. Bruce Cameron

 

A Dog's Way Home by W. Bruce Cameron-327 pages

Others have already reviewed this since it was our Book to Movie club.  It's a very sweet story as told from the dogs perspective.  After reading this I actually looked at my own dog differently!  They are the most loving, loyal creatures on the planet.  I enjoyed the book very much..though at times it seemed far fetched!

A Dog's Way Home by W. Bruce Cameron

 A Dog's Way Home by W. Bruce Cameron-327 pages

Bella is a loving stray dog found living in a den with cats under a condemned house by Lucas. He lives in an apartment across the street from the condemned house and feeds the cats frequently. Bella immediately takes to Lucas and he takes her in even though it's against his lease agreement. Lucas lives with his mom, who is an Army veteran who struggles with depression and seizures. Bella twice recognizes oncoming seizures from Mom and saves her. Bella and Lucas build a strong bond and Bella views him as her person. However, Lucas runs afoul of the mean man building new housing across the street by continuing to feed and advocate for the cats still living in the den under the house. This man, Gunter, recruits an Animal Control Officer (ACO) to certify Bella as a pit bull. Pit bulls are banned in Denver, where Lucas lives. Soon, Bella is captured by the ACO and separated from Lucas. They're reunited only to be separated again. Bella is determined to get home to Lucas. Will she be able to survive the nearly 400 mile trek back to Lucas? I would rate this one 3 out of 5 stars.

The Barking Ghost (Goosebumps #32) by R.L. Stine

 The Barking Ghost (Goosebumps #32) by R.L. Stine-131 pages 

Cooper is easily spooked and his brother, Mickey, loves scaring him. Cooper and his family move from Boston to rural Maine. The nearby woods are spooky and haunted by ghost dogs. No one believes Cooper or his new friend, Fergie when they tell them, though. What do the ghost dogs want with Cooper and Fergie?

Road Trip by Gary Paulsen

 

Road Trip by Gary Paulsen -- 114 pages

Ben has just been informed he's going on a road trip with his father -- a road trip he's not sure he wants to go on.  He wants to rescue the dog there travelling to save.  But he doesn't want to spend any time with his dad.  So invites along his thuggish friend Theo.  Then they're joined by a cranky mechanic who lends them his school bus for the trip.  Next they're joined by a waitress who reads aura.  This is going to be one memorable road trip.

I listened to this on audio.  I found the story to be interesting and fun.  I loved the parts that were narrated by Ben's current pet dog Atticus.  I would definitely recommend this book (or audio).

Dog Eat Dog by David Rosenfelt

 

                                                  Dog Eat Dog by David Rosenfelt-298 pages

Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his wife Laurie are once again pulled into a case simply because a man has come to the defense of a dog.  Andy has been trying to retire for several years; but as usual this is a case he just cannot turn down.  

I have followed this series since the beginning.  David Rosenfelt is even a bigger dog lover than I am.  But it is his dry wit and humor that is unrivaled.  And the supporting characters are hilarious on their own. I eagerly await each one that is released.

S

The Search by Nora Roberts

 

The Search by Nora Roberts - 488 pages

It took a long time for Fiona to find her feet again after being kidnapped by a serial killer.  But she's found peace as a dog trainer and leader of a search and rescue team.  Then she's targeted by another killer.  Now she must accept help from her new neighbor Simon to stay safe.

This is romantic suspense novel by Nora Roberts.  I enjoyed the story.  I like the characters of Fiona and Simon as well as the dogs in the story.  

Muzzled by David Rosenfelt

 

                                                 

                                                     Muzzled by David Rosenfelt-293 pages

Andy Carpenter is a lawyer who would rather not practice law. He'd rather spend his time working with the Tara Foundation, his dog rescue organization, and being with his family and his two dogs, Tara and Sebastian. But when a friend asks him for a favor that involves both dogs and his lawyerly expertise, he can't say no.

Andy's friend Beth has found a stray that seems to have belonged to a murder victim--in fact, the man and two of his colleagues died in an explosion a few weeks ago. But when the murdered man contacts Beth, asking for his dog back, Andy knows there must be more to the story. The man claims his life is in danger, and that's why he disappeared. As much as Andy doesn't want to get involved--anything to avoid a new case--he can't help but come to the rescue of a man who'd risk everything, even his life, to reunite with his dog.

This is one of my favorite series.  I highly recommend listening to it on audio.  The recurring characters are just hilarious.  

The Werewolf of Fever Swamp (Goosebumps #14; Classic Goosebumps #11) by R.L. Stine

The Werewolf of Fever Swamp (Goosebumps #14; Classic Goosebumps #11) by R.L. Stine-123 pages

In this Goosebumps tale, Grady and his sister, Emily, move to "Fever" Swamp in Florida with their parents. Their parents are scientists who are studying Swamp Deer. Grady soon meets a local boy his age and befriends him. Grady and Emily venture out into the nearby swamp and get lost. They encounter the Swamp Hermit, who then seemingly chases them. Later, Grady meets Cassie, a local girl his age, and she spouts off about a werewolf in the swamp. She thinks it's the Swamp Hermit. Grady hears terrifying howls one night during a full moon and starts to believe that Cassie might be right. Also, during this time Grady has an encounter with a stray dog that he names Wolf because of its close appearance to a wolf. Attacks on local animals begin occurring and everyone (except Grady) blames Wolf. Are the howls and attacks really Wolf? Could it really be a werewolf? If so, who is the werewolf? The ending to this one, as usual, is great and is somewhat of a cliffhanger.

Dachshund Through the Snow by David Rosenfelt

          Dachshund Through the Snow by David Rosenfelt-281 pages

David Rosenfelt never disappoints!  When I am in the mood for a good laugh this is my go to series.  Mystery and dogs, two of my favorite things in one book.  And with this installment I do believe he is setting the stage to launch a new series..one that I am sure will delight all of us who are fans of Andy Carpenter.  I highly recommend this series.

Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings

Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings, 36 pages

Can I Be Your Dog?  is an adorable book about a dog looking for a home.  He mails letters to everyone on Butternut Street, but no one wants to be his owner.  Until, surprise, he finds the perfect owner in the mail lady.

Drop it Rocket by Tad Hills

Drop it Rocket by Tad Hills - 32 pages

Rocket is ready to find new words for his word tree with his teacher, the little yellow bird. He finds a leaf, a hat, and a star . . . but when he finds a red boot, he doesn’t want to let go until he gets a book.

Queen Dog by Bridget Heos

Queen Dog by Bridget Heos - 40 pages

Queen Dog has ruled her castle with grace and majesty since she was a pup. Her people adore her. They provide her with delicious meals and shower her with attention. Lately, though, they have been a bit distracted and service has started to slip. Queen Dog tries her best to make do--but then a stranger moves into the castle! Who is this tiny newcomer commanding all the attention? A servant, or a pretender to the throne?

Great easy book but I can read almost anything about dogs and enjoy it.

Biscuit by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Biscuit by Alyssa Satin Capucilli - 32 pages

It’s time for bed, but Biscuit doesn’t want to sleep! Before Biscuit gets into bed he wants one more snack, one more story, one more kiss. Will he ever go to sleep? Woof, woof!