Databases & Websites by Subject

Booklists - Animals and Their People

Dogs Unleashed

636.7 FOS
The Dogs Who Found Me: What I've Learned from Pets Who Were Left Behind by Ken Foster - 2006

636.7 KAT
A Dog Year: Twelve Months, Four Dogs, and Me by Jon Katz - 2002
Jon Katz is an expert who writes books on dog behavior and training. He is also an engaging storyteller. This and the following two titles chronicle his adventures with an assortment of beloved dogs as he moves to a farm and tends to the special needs of Orson, his "once-in-a-lifetime" dog.

636.7 KAT
The Dogs of Bedlam Farm: An Adventure with Sixteen Sheep, Three Dogs, Two Donkeys, and Me by Jon Katz - 2004

636.7 KAT
A Good Dog: The Story of Orson, Who Changed My Life by Jon Katz - 2006

636.7 KON
Ella in Europe: An American Dog's International Adventures by Michael Konik - 2005

636.7 KOP
From Baghdad, with Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava by Jay Kopelman - 2006
The winning story of a group of Marines in Iraq who, against regulations, adopt a shaggy puppy. Amid the high drama of war, covered extensively here, the author contrives a way to rescue Lava and smuggle him to safety in the U.S.

636.7 YOF
What the Dog Did: Tales from a Formerly Reluctant Dog Owner by Emily Yoffe - 2005
Beagles are notoriously known for being difficult to train and Sasha was no exception. This well-told tale follows the sometimes humorous ups and downs of a new dog owner and her neurotic pup.

636.70887 ADA
Living a Dog's Life: Jazzy, Juicy, and Me by Cindy Heller Adams - 2006
This sequel to Jazzy and Me is written by a well-known gossip columnist who writes in a breezy style about her love for her Yorkshire Terriers and their general superiority to men.

636.7527 GRO
Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog by John Grogan - 2005
This bestseller recounts the mischievous adventures of a loveable Lab puppy that grew up to be a wayward dog.

A Menagerie of Companion Animals

599.67 MAC
The Cowboy and His Elephant: The Story of a Remarkable Friendship by Malcolm MacPherson - 2001
The author adopts and rehabilitates an orphaned baby elephant who becomes a ranch hand and valued family member.

599.757 HEL
Zamba: The True Story of the Greatest Lion That Ever Lived by Ralph Helfer - 2005
Helfer is a well-known Hollywood animal trainer who developed "affection training," a technique that teaches with love, not fear. Over the years he formed a special bond with Zamba, who appeared in a number of films. The author's captivating earlier work about Modoc, the elephant, is listed below.

636 FIT
Sonya Fitzpatrick, the Pet Psychic: What the Animals Tell Me by Sonya Fitzpatrick - 2004

636.0887 TAR
Enslaved by Ducks by Bob Tarte - 2003

636.1 GRO
One Good Horse by Tom Groneberg - 2006

636.1 RIC
Chosen by a Horse: A Memoir by Susan Richards - 2006
Richards adopted an abused horse whose gentleness, even after all she had endured, set an example of courage for the author and taught her to embrace all aspects of life.

636.1 RIV
Beautiful Jim Key: The Lost History of a Horse and a Man Who Changed the World by Mim Eichler Rivas - 2005
An early animal celebrity who dazzled fairgoers with his intellectual feats, Beautiful Jim Key brought to public awareness the concept that animals are fellow creatures and deserve humane treatment. The remarkable story of his owner and trainer, Dr. William Key, adds to this interesting tale.

636.4 BAL
Lowell: The True Story of an Existential Pig by Gay Louise Balliet - 2000
Lowell, who dances on command, teaches the author about the wonder of pigs and inspires her to establish a farm for abandoned and abused pigs. Share their adventures.

636.4 MON
The Good Good Pig: The Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood by Sy Montgomery - 2006
Described as "joyful, smart and friendly," Christopher not only won the hearts of his owners, but was a beloved presence in the neighborhood, bringing a community together.

636.6865 BUR
The Parrot Who Owns Me: The Story of a Relationship by Joanna Burger - 2001
A biologist adopts a neglected 30-year-old Amazon parrot, who is at first sullen and hostile, but learns to trust and love his owner. He even tries to court her during mating season. Engaging and informative writing insure that the reader will learn much about the science of birds and the human-animal bond.

791.32 HEL
Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived by Ralph Helfer - 1997
This book chronicles the life and times of an elephant and her devoted companion and trainer. Their adventures take them from a small German circus town to international stardom in the Greatest Show on Earth. Along the way, Modoc rescues sailors during a storm at sea, works in the teak forests of India and suffers a sad separation from her human companion.

Visits with the Vet

636.089 BRO
While You're Here, Doc: Farmyard Adventures of a Maine Veterinarian by Bradford B. Brown - 2006

636.089 SHA
No Dogs in Heaven?: Scenes from the Life of a Country Veterinarian by Robert T. Sharp - 2005

636.089 WHY
A Country Practice: Scenes from the Veterinary Life by Douglas Whynott - 2004
This book follows the lives of three separate veterinarians who support a mixed-animals practice. It focuses on the reality of a vet's life and is a good introduction for young people considering the field of veterinary medicine as a profession.

Biography SMITH, L.
The Cat's Meow: The Story of a Veterinary-Girl-Friday Wife, the Love-of-Her-Life D.V.M. and Others in Their Busy World by LaVerne K. Smith - 2003

Wild Things

591.96826 KRU
The Wilderness Family: At Home with Africa's Wildlife by Kobie Kruger - 2001
The adventures of a game warden's wife and her family living in South Africa's largest national park. There are interesting encounters with wildlife, but the heart of the book recounts their adoption and rearing of an orphaned lion cub.

598.07234 WIN
Red-Tails in Love: A Wildlife Drama in Central Park by Marie Winn - 1998
Mystery and drama in an urban setting as two rare hawks hunt, court, mate and try to raise a family in a nest on Fifth Avenue. By turns funny and heartbreaking, this book "will delight and inspire readers."

599.773 DUT
Living with Wolves by James Dutcher - 2004
This appealing story is complemented by a wealth of eye-catching photographs.

599.785 BEC
Summers with the Bears: Six Seasons in the Minnesota Woods by Jack Becklund - 1999
Entertaining story of vacationers in the North Woods who share their backyard with black bears. Over the years they become friends and share their daily lives.

636.088 SUT
Kicked, Bitten, and Scratched: Life and Lessons at the World's Premier School for Exotic Animal Trainers by Amy Sutherland - 2006
A reality check for animal lovers. Learn along with the students who are sometimes good with animals but have more trouble relating to other humans.

Warm and Fuzzy Tales

158.12 CHI
Chicken Soup for the Cat and Dog Lover's Soul: Celebrating Pets as Family with Stories about Cats, Dogs, and Other Critters - 1999

158.12 CHI
Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover's Soul: Inspirational Stories about Horses and the People Who Love Them - 2003

591.5 JOH
Animal Angels: True Tales of Creatures That Changed and Enriched People's Lives by Charlene R. Johnson - 2003

636.0887 MUN
Heart Songs for Animal Lovers: True Stories of Devotion, Courage, and Love by Hester Mundis - 1999

Prepared by Marty Krause, revised January 2007