06/02/08

Book Review: Lessons from a French Bulldog
Angela Moore

Alfred's Nose

Poor little Alfred has some confidence issues. Like many others in today’s body-conscious society, he’s a little obsessed with his appearance—specifically, his nose. He can’t rush off for plastic surgery, though, as he’s an adorable little French Bulldog.

A new book by Vivienne Flesher, Alfred’s Nose chronicles one doggie’s journey to find the perfect, true-dog nose. He tries costumes and masks, and ultimately comes to accept himself for the perfect pooch he is. The book will induce giggles and inspire children, but it’s plenty of fun for grown-ups too, with its homegrown photos of Flesher’s dog in a gaggle of fake noses (elephant, cow) and disguises.

This book is short and sweet. Take a peek at Alfred’s own website: alfredthebulldog.com.

For information on 300+ more dog breeds as well as the Frenchie, check out our exclusive Dog Breed Info pages.

05/15/08

The Ultimate Dog Treat Cookbook — A Review
Joy

The Ultimate Dog Treat Cookbook should come with a warning — don’t read while hungry! These recipes sound so good I couldn’t help but get hungry as I read through them.

Author Liz Palika has put together a collection of tasty treats for all kinds of events and dogs. Looking for cookie cutter treats or special goodies for special occasions. The Ultimate Dog Treat Cookbook has got it covered. Do you need recipes designed for dogs with special needs? You’ll find yummy meat-free, grain-free, wheat-free and reduced-fat treats here.

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05/13/08

Dogs: A Natural History — A Review
Joy

Don’t you love it when non-fiction is so well written it reads like good fiction? Dogs: A Natural History is one of these books. It has lots of information written in an engaging flow. Author Jake Page has the uncommon ability to make history and science understandable and fascinating.

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05/12/08

101 Best Businesses for Pet Lovers — A Review
Joy

101 Best Businesses for Pet Lovers is the book for all of us who’ve had some version of the following scenario —I’m sitting in a meeting with clients and as another client flunkie makes another inane comment about marketing all of a sudden I’m wondering if there isn’t something I could do that would keep me away from these kinds of humans and let me spend more time with dogs and other doggy humans. I bet you’ve been there too, haven’t you?

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05/09/08

Jackpot’s Tail: Lost in Las Vegas — A Review
Joy

Not only are Dogster’s great people and pawples, they’re talented too! Jackpot’s Tail: Lost in Las Vegas was written by one of our Dogsters (okay, she let her furmom get the credit). Not only that, but it’s really GOOD, too!

Are you looking for a well-written, fun book that helps kids understand what happens to dogs who go through the rescue systems? Have you recently adopted a furry family member and want to let your not-so-furry young ones know more about how their new furbrother or sister came to join your family? Then Jackpot’s Tail may be just the book for you!

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04/22/08

Training Humans — A Review
Joy

There are MANY excellent training books for humans working with dogs but Tess of Helena (a four-footer herself) has penned a fun and helpful training guide for dogs trying to get the best from their humans. Training Humans combines a touch of satire with a large helping of canine insight into a literary recipe that offers useful information with a twist.

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02/10/08

Charles de Lint’s “Widdershins” Presents Powerful Dog Character, Pit Bull Honey — A Review
Joy

Charles DeLint by Beth Gwinn

Charles DeLint by Beth Gwinn

Honey, the Pit Bull in Charles de Lint’s urban fantasy Widdershins may be one of the strongest dog characters in recent literature. Honey, a Pit Bull who was released with her pack from a dogfighters’ chain and hell, has the ability to speak with some of the people with whom she feels an emotional connection. More importantly, she has the ability to speak to us. Honey is not the central character in Widdershins but she is the one who lives with me long after the last page is closed.

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01/19/08

Rex and the City — A Review
Joy

rexandthecitycover2.jpg

Rex and the City by Lee Harrington is a beautiful combination of laugh out loud funny and insight into the emotional payoff of adopting a dog.

I must admit, I started reading Rex and the City with the idea that this was another dog-in big-city-and-what-does-it-say-about-me book. Usually these books are 98% about the human and 2% about the dog. Not my thing since I want to read about the dog.

Was I ever wrong!

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01/02/08

Salty Dogs: A Book of Dogs at the Beach — A Review
Joy

saltydogscover.jpg

As I sit here in the North American Midwest with wind chills at or below 0 degrees Fahrenheit I can’t help but think about how nice a warm beach would feel about now. I can’t spend the time to get to the beach on a plane so I’m doing the next best thing; I pick up a copy of Jean Fogle’s Salty Dogs: A Book of Dogs at the Beach and let it take me away to a virtual vacation.

Salty Dogs is a fabulous photographic journey with insightful quotes joined to fun and touching pictures of cavorting dogs on the beach. You can almost taste the salt in the air and smell the seafoam on the dogs’ coats.

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11/26/07

Sassafras: True Confessions of a Poodle Princess and Goes to Hollywood — A Review
Joy

sassafras.jpg

Looking for fun dog books for children? Check out Sassafras: The True Confessions of a Poodle Princess and Sassafras Goes to Hollywood by Lynn HIrschfield and Dena Fishbein. These two books are delightful children’s books about a one-of-a-kind pink poodle, Sassafras. Well-written with engaging artwork, most little girls in the 3 to 5-year-old range (though I think these could be fun for a slightly older girl depending on their reading skills) on your gift list will love them and the pink poodle princess.

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