For The Love of Animals...

Animals are of great importance to us, especially here in the South. We use them for food, to help us hunt, to assist those with disabilities, and, most importantly, to provide company and comfort when we need them. Animals are seen as part of the family. This is why I am highlighting some of our new non-fiction titles that center around animals of all kinds--cats and dogs, domestic and wild.

The Doggie in the Window by Rory Kress tells the story of how journalist Kress found a twelve-week-old wheaten terrier in a pet shop and didn't think twice about bringing her home and naming her Izzy. After all, the facility was USDA-licensed so Izzy couldn't possibly be a puppy mill dog, right? When Kress began her journey of becoming a mother, she began to wonder about Izzy's mom and so begins an eye-opening journey through the world of dog livestock auctions, puppy mills, and internet sales sites to uncover the truth about the so-called "pure bred" puppies. My only problem with this book is that there are no photos to illustrate the authors important discoveries and show the consumer what it is really like in the world of factory-farmed puppies.

If you decide you want a pure-bred puppy, choose a reputable breeder who raises the pups in their own home. In order to choose the dog right for you and your family, check-out The Good, the Bad, and the Furry by Sam Stall. Like the title suggests, the author gives it to you straight in this book of dog breeds. Under each breed, you will find the standard for height, weight, coat, and intelligence as well as where and with what kind of person this dog thrives. You will also find out about the origin of the breed, the trademark traits, any hassles in training or behavior, and any medical problems that plague the particular breed. You are also given a kind of cross reference for similar breeds you may want to check into. My favorite section under each breed, however, is entitled "If someone broke into my house, this dog would..." These are the most hilarious and sometimes painfully honest observations of these dogs. For instance, we learn that the dalmatian is a wonderful watchdog, he/she will "Wake the dead with its furious barking, then open up a can of four-alarm whoopass" on anyone who breaks into your house.

The Pug Who Bit Napoleon: Animal Tales of the 18th & 19th Centuries is a small tome by Mimi Matthews. Divided into sections according to type of animal--dog, cat, horse, etc.--this book tells little snippets about various famous figures and the animals that played an important role in their lives. You can learn about the titular pug who gave the Emperor of France a nip, Alexander Pope's devoted Great Dane, and even about the Bloodhounds hired to hunt Jack the Ripper. If nothing else, this book is totally worth checking out just for the stunningly beautiful color portraits of the animals.

Dr. Carin Bondar shows us that the trials, tribulations, and victories of motherhood are not exclusive to homo sapiens in her book Wild Moms: Motherhood in the Animal Kingdom. Breaking motherhood into its various stages, Bondar discusses the diversity of development, cooperative and communal child rearing, brood parasitism, pregnancy, birth, weaning, and all the problems that come with these stages and how various species handle them. One of her chapters also highlights that other animal species suffer from depression and abuse just as humans do. This book is a good look at mothering across many species and it is informative and easy for the lay person to understand.