Doggone Etiquette—

By The Book

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:           

Obviously dogs don’t read books. At least not the way people do. You guys tend to be more interested in chewing the bindings so you can (literally) digest the contents. Therefore, you can’t know how often a book read by your VIPeople (before you dig into it) has helped them to help you be a better, healthier, happier dog. Also bet you didn’t know that a book called A Dog’s Life was written by a dog named Boy! You might try your paw at it and maybe one day you, too, could write a book and be made an honorable member of Dog Writers of the World!

A Word to the Dog’s Owner:                            

There has never before been such a proliferation of books about dogs from every possible angle, and written by a variety of authors from experts in their dog-related fields to those who were simply smitten by their pet pooch. The topics cover everything you ever wanted to know about dogs. Every breed has its special volume, plus books on every conceivable type of dog training and every imaginable activity you can do with a pet. There are volumes on canine health, how to cope with behavioral problems, as well as wonderful stories of dogs that undertake serious jobs. Several deal with the well-known fact that dogs actually do change people’s lives for the better. The list is endless. And for any of you who don’t read dog-chewable books, many (if not most) of these are now available as e-books.

For Christmas giving, there is sure to be more than one book for every dog person on your list, whether they (or maybe you?) are thinking of getting a dog, or already have one. Anyone involved with a dog would enjoy such a thoughtful gift that may offer a bit of doggy education, a spot of sympathy, or just a few good laughs. The one mentioned above, A Dog’s Life (1995 Knopf) is by Peter Mayle, the well-known author of novels set in France, and provides laughs, insight into dogs and their owners, a view of the dog’s life all delightfully told entirely by the dog, with great drawings by Edward Koren. A section on advice to puppies appropriately begins with “Beware of Christmas” strictly from the way the dog/author sees it. This book is not brand new, but has stood the test of time.

A brand new book, Born to Bark (Free Press) is by Stanley Coren, a well-known research psychologist, author, and expert on canine behavior in its many forms. The subtitle, My Adventures with an Irrepressible and Unforgettable Dog, is enough to make you want to find out why. Lots of different dogs are brought into the story, but the Cairn Terrier called Flint is the lead character — and he is definitely a character!

Another new one, What a Difference a Dog Makes (Doubleday) is subtitled Big Lessons on Life, Love, and Healing from a Small Pooch. This book’s author, Dana Jennings, and his son were seriously ill when Bijou came to their rescue. Statements of sage advice from Bijou precede each chapter, such as, “Good things come to she who waits — especially in the kitchen.” This one is an easy, fun, yet thought-provoking read of the therapeutic value of owning a dog. Oogy (Grand Central) by Larry Levin is a heartwarming story of a rescued dog. Huck (Random House) by Janet Elder is a story about a lost puppy that managed to teach a family — and the whole town — to have hope. (It all ends happily!)           

By the way, “Dog Writers of the World” does not exist, but at the rate dog books are being written, Rufus and his pals just may make it a reality!          

Go to your favorite bookstore, or online, and you’ll not only find the right gift for every dog-lover on your list, but you will no doubt find several to give yourself!

Until next time —ENJOY!

—Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh Terriers for 30 years, during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog Fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me!, which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award in 2008.