The first book that popped into my mind was Shiloh.

The first book that popped into my mind was Shiloh.

Sorry about your dog.

I really like the poetry anthology Unleashed: Poems by Writers’ Dogs, edited by Amy Hempel and Jim Shepherd. Rick Bass has written some great dog stories, too – the title story in The Hermit’s Story is probably my favorite.

And with apologies for the self-promotion, I’m looking forward to Dogs: Wet and Dry, an upcoming collection of flash fiction about dogs.

Sorry about your dog.

I really like the poetry anthology Unleashed: Poems by Writers’ Dogs, edited by Amy Hempel and Jim Shepherd. Rick Bass has written some great dog stories, too – the title story in The Hermit’s Story is probably my favorite.

And with apologies for the self-promotion, I’m looking forward to Dogs: Wet and Dry, an upcoming collection of flash fiction about dogs.

I am so very sorry to hear about Livy…dogs are very special in our lives. I recently lost my dog Caribou…and it is so hard. So I will be thinking of you.

I am so very sorry to hear about Livy…dogs are very special in our lives. I recently lost my dog Caribou…and it is so hard. So I will be thinking of you.

Oh, Ann — so sorry about Livy.

Have you read THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN yet? It’s narrated by Enzo…a dog. A flawed, yet lovely story.

~kc

Oh, Ann — so sorry about Livy.

Have you read THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN yet? It’s narrated by Enzo…a dog. A flawed, yet lovely story.

~kc

so sorry about your dog.

marley and me left me cold but i do like Jon Katz’s work.

so sorry about your dog.

marley and me left me cold but i do like Jon Katz’s work.

also, “Angus,” by charles seibert. it’s out of print, but it’s a wonderful wonderful very sad book.

also, “Angus,” by charles seibert. it’s out of print, but it’s a wonderful wonderful very sad book.

Oh Ann…I feel for what you are going through. This is never easy.
Sometimes I think the kids get through it better than the adults.

If you haven’t read THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN by Garth Stein, I’d highly recommend it. Enzo is a dog with a great plan for his ‘after-life’!
take care….

Oh Ann…I feel for what you are going through. This is never easy.
Sometimes I think the kids get through it better than the adults.

If you haven’t read THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN by Garth Stein, I’d highly recommend it. Enzo is a dog with a great plan for his ‘after-life’!
take care….

A fun new mystery book with a dog named Chet as the narrator is Dog On It by Spencer Quinn. It made me realize how quirky and strange humans must appear to be from our pet’s perspective. My sympathy to your family and Livy.

A fun new mystery book with a dog named Chet as the narrator is Dog On It by Spencer Quinn. It made me realize how quirky and strange humans must appear to be from our pet’s perspective. My sympathy to your family and Livy.

So Sorry about your dog. I loved Marley and Me and also Jon Katz’s books, especially A Dog Year and Izzy and Lenore. A YA book that I could never read aloud to my son without crying at the end was Love That Dog by Sharon Creech. Very, very good.

So Sorry about your dog. I loved Marley and Me and also Jon Katz’s books, especially A Dog Year and Izzy and Lenore. A YA book that I could never read aloud to my son without crying at the end was Love That Dog by Sharon Creech. Very, very good.

Wow, thank you so much, everybody. Thanks for your good thoughts, and for the amazing list of books. I will summarize them in a single post sometime soon. For now, I’m adding almost all of these to my shopping list. I do have The Art of Racing in the Rain, and it looks like a good thing to read next. Good stuff for my kids here, too. Thanks to you all.

Wow, thank you so much, everybody. Thanks for your good thoughts, and for the amazing list of books. I will summarize them in a single post sometime soon. For now, I’m adding almost all of these to my shopping list. I do have The Art of Racing in the Rain, and it looks like a good thing to read next. Good stuff for my kids here, too. Thanks to you all.

Ann, it’s Sunday morning and I realize you have pretty much closed out the discussion, but I wanted to add a cautionary note about “The Art of Racing in the Rain.” It is an emotionally provocative book, in fact a “Freezer book” for me (In the Friends episode, “The One Where Monica and Richard are Just Friends,” there is a subplot wherein Joey reveals that he keeps a copy of “The Shining” in the freezer because the book is so scary. Rachel convinces Joey to read “Little Women,” her favorite book. When someone lets slip that Beth dies in the book, he places that book in the freezer also, because it’s too emotionally fraught.) In “The Art of Racing in the Rain,” there were scenes designed to trigger emotions of sadness, anxiety, tension and, depression and, IMO, the driving/life lessons weren’t uplifting enough to counterbalance the heartbreak. Others I know LOVE this book, but still others have a hard time with it especially if they are emotionally susceptible. Other Freezer books for me include, “Where the Red Fern Grows” by Wilson Rawls, “The Red Pony” by John Steinbeck (it has a dog in it too) and, “The Crossing” by Cormack McCarthy (wolf)).

Ann, it’s Sunday morning and I realize you have pretty much closed out the discussion, but I wanted to add a cautionary note about “The Art of Racing in the Rain.” It is an emotionally provocative book, in fact a “Freezer book” for me (In the Friends episode, “The One Where Monica and Richard are Just Friends,” there is a subplot wherein Joey reveals that he keeps a copy of “The Shining” in the freezer because the book is so scary. Rachel convinces Joey to read “Little Women,” her favorite book. When someone lets slip that Beth dies in the book, he places that book in the freezer also, because it’s too emotionally fraught.) In “The Art of Racing in the Rain,” there were scenes designed to trigger emotions of sadness, anxiety, tension and, depression and, IMO, the driving/life lessons weren’t uplifting enough to counterbalance the heartbreak. Others I know LOVE this book, but still others have a hard time with it especially if they are emotionally susceptible. Other Freezer books for me include, “Where the Red Fern Grows” by Wilson Rawls, “The Red Pony” by John Steinbeck (it has a dog in it too) and, “The Crossing” by Cormack McCarthy (wolf)).

Tanya,
Thanks for continuing the discussion. I didn’t close it, but just wanted to acknowledge everyone who had already posted — happy to keep the discussions here going on for as long as needed.

Your concept of “Freezer Book” is interesting. I may need to dig up that episode of Friends.

I don’t tend to be emotionally fragile in real life, and I actually love a good cry from a novel, so in this case I think ART OF RACING would be somewhat cathartic for me. But I want to ponder this idea further, perhaps in a separate blog post. Another reader/listener has mentioned a few times that she appreciates a warning when books are “difficult,” so it’s something I’ve been thinking about for awhile.

Thanks for raising the topic and the idea, Tanya. Deep thoughts for a Sunday morning as I deal with the minutae of taxes…

Anyone else have any thoughts about this?

Tanya,
Thanks for continuing the discussion. I didn’t close it, but just wanted to acknowledge everyone who had already posted — happy to keep the discussions here going on for as long as needed.

Your concept of “Freezer Book” is interesting. I may need to dig up that episode of Friends.

I don’t tend to be emotionally fragile in real life, and I actually love a good cry from a novel, so in this case I think ART OF RACING would be somewhat cathartic for me. But I want to ponder this idea further, perhaps in a separate blog post. Another reader/listener has mentioned a few times that she appreciates a warning when books are “difficult,” so it’s something I’ve been thinking about for awhile.

Thanks for raising the topic and the idea, Tanya. Deep thoughts for a Sunday morning as I deal with the minutae of taxes…

Anyone else have any thoughts about this?

First I wish to express my deepest condolences on the loss of your family member. There isn’t a hurt quite like it and everyone deals with it in their own way.

Amazing Gracie is non-fiction by Dan Dye – extremely inspirational and quite funny in certain segments.

A book I found very interesting was Timbuktu, by Paul Auster, though the theme is very different from what you are dealing with right now. It is life from a dog’s point of view, and that life is not always, or even mostly, a pleasant one. The end left me in rivers of tears. Auster, to me, is like Ian McEwan is to you, I suspect.

First I wish to express my deepest condolences on the loss of your family member. There isn’t a hurt quite like it and everyone deals with it in their own way.

Amazing Gracie is non-fiction by Dan Dye – extremely inspirational and quite funny in certain segments.

A book I found very interesting was Timbuktu, by Paul Auster, though the theme is very different from what you are dealing with right now. It is life from a dog’s point of view, and that life is not always, or even mostly, a pleasant one. The end left me in rivers of tears. Auster, to me, is like Ian McEwan is to you, I suspect.

I have to second Love That Dog. It is the perfect book for dog lovers, poetry lovers, teachers, readers, writers. I read it the first time sitting at a bar, eating dinner and probably looked like a crazy person weeping into my gnocchi.

One of the oddest things I’ve seen in doing children’s buying was a picture book version of Timbuktu. I still have no idea who that was aimed at.

On freezer books, my brother, an avid Star Wars fan, actually threw away a book where Chewbacca dies. He now refuses to read any of the Star Wars books that are set in that time line because he refuses to believe Chewbacca would ever die.

I have to second Love That Dog. It is the perfect book for dog lovers, poetry lovers, teachers, readers, writers. I read it the first time sitting at a bar, eating dinner and probably looked like a crazy person weeping into my gnocchi.

One of the oddest things I’ve seen in doing children’s buying was a picture book version of Timbuktu. I still have no idea who that was aimed at.

On freezer books, my brother, an avid Star Wars fan, actually threw away a book where Chewbacca dies. He now refuses to read any of the Star Wars books that are set in that time line because he refuses to believe Chewbacca would ever die.

So sorry about your dog. I have walked in those shoes too.

So glad you liked Edgar Sawtelle. It was a great dog AND people story for sure. But living in Wisconsin, I loved the Wisconsin-ness of it all, recognizing many of the places described. Lovely book.

So sorry about your dog. I have walked in those shoes too.

So glad you liked Edgar Sawtelle. It was a great dog AND people story for sure. But living in Wisconsin, I loved the Wisconsin-ness of it all, recognizing many of the places described. Lovely book.

Ann,
I echo everyone’s sorrow here. I have been, and always will be, inconsolable during that time when I have to say goodbye to my beloved pets.
Alice Sebold’s book The Lovely Bones is not about dogs, but describes a favorite poignant scene that has always stuck with me. The story is told by a 14-year-old girl who has been murdered. Years after her death, she is reunited with her dog in heaven. It’s worth flipping through to find that description because it so moved me. I remember reading it and thinking “I hope that’s how it is.”

Ann,
I echo everyone’s sorrow here. I have been, and always will be, inconsolable during that time when I have to say goodbye to my beloved pets.
Alice Sebold’s book The Lovely Bones is not about dogs, but describes a favorite poignant scene that has always stuck with me. The story is told by a 14-year-old girl who has been murdered. Years after her death, she is reunited with her dog in heaven. It’s worth flipping through to find that description because it so moved me. I remember reading it and thinking “I hope that’s how it is.”

Everybody, these recommendations are great. Keep them coming. In the next week or so, I will do a round-up of all of your suggestions and post them as a list.

Thank you!!

Everybody, these recommendations are great. Keep them coming. In the next week or so, I will do a round-up of all of your suggestions and post them as a list.

Thank you!!

Ann, very sorry to hear about your dog. We lost Poppy, our 12-year-old Standard Poodle, last spring and still feel the loss. Back then I asked The Baltimore Sun’s pet blogger for recommended reading; here are his choices:
Dog Years by Mark Doty, which is about coping with loss.

Call of the Wild — Jack London’s classic tale of a fully domesticated dogs reversion to life in the wilds of Alaska.
Where the Red Fern Grows – No matter how crusty you might be, this 1961 novel by Wilson Rawls about a boy and his two redbone Coonhounds is guaranteed to pluck your heartstrings.
Travels With Charley —John Steinbeck’s insightful travelogue on his 10,000 mile roadtrip across 1960’s America with his aging poodle.
Animals in Translation — Celebrated animal scientist Temple Grandin, who has autism, brings together her research and perceptions to offer a new understanding of how animals think and feel.
Amazing Gracie — The heartwarming true tale of a deaf and partially blind albino Great Dane who turned around the life of the man who rescued her. By Dan Dye and Mark Beckloff.

Ann, very sorry to hear about your dog. We lost Poppy, our 12-year-old Standard Poodle, last spring and still feel the loss. Back then I asked The Baltimore Sun’s pet blogger for recommended reading; here are his choices:
Dog Years by Mark Doty, which is about coping with loss.

Call of the Wild — Jack London’s classic tale of a fully domesticated dogs reversion to life in the wilds of Alaska.
Where the Red Fern Grows – No matter how crusty you might be, this 1961 novel by Wilson Rawls about a boy and his two redbone Coonhounds is guaranteed to pluck your heartstrings.
Travels With Charley —John Steinbeck’s insightful travelogue on his 10,000 mile roadtrip across 1960’s America with his aging poodle.
Animals in Translation — Celebrated animal scientist Temple Grandin, who has autism, brings together her research and perceptions to offer a new understanding of how animals think and feel.
Amazing Gracie — The heartwarming true tale of a deaf and partially blind albino Great Dane who turned around the life of the man who rescued her. By Dan Dye and Mark Beckloff.

Dave, fantastic list. Thank you!

Dave, fantastic list. Thank you!

Ann,
Sorry about your firbaby.
Let’s not forget some of the oldies:
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson
Rawls
The Incredible Journey by Sheila
Burnford
Lassie Come Home by Eric Knight
AND MY FAVORITE
Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner

Karen

Ann,
Sorry about your firbaby.
Let’s not forget some of the oldies:
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson
Rawls
The Incredible Journey by Sheila
Burnford
Lassie Come Home by Eric Knight
AND MY FAVORITE
Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner

Karen

Oh, Ann, I’m so sorry to read about Livy. Have you told your daughter yet?

Is Livy named for the historian? Or for something/someone else entirely different?

Oh, Ann, I’m so sorry to read about Livy. Have you told your daughter yet?

Is Livy named for the historian? Or for something/someone else entirely different?

Karen, thank you thank you thank you!

Emily – yes, the girls took it well, and while they miss her, they’ve moved on and are now asking for a puppy. Livy is actually a modification of the Welsh verb “to lick” (appropriate for our dog), but since our first dog was named Chaucer, we liked how it fit with the literary theme, too.

Karen, thank you thank you thank you!

Emily – yes, the girls took it well, and while they miss her, they’ve moved on and are now asking for a puppy. Livy is actually a modification of the Welsh verb “to lick” (appropriate for our dog), but since our first dog was named Chaucer, we liked how it fit with the literary theme, too.

Hey Ann~
I’ll send you a copy of A Dog’s Life, by Ann Martin, which I loved. I also agree with those who have mentioned Where the Red Fern Grows. I was OBSESSED with that book in 4th grade, and read it 6 times, over and over, because I loved it so much. Ditto with Call of the Wild~love that Buck.
Don’t forget Because of Winn Dixie, and Julie of the Wolves. And, even though it’s not about dogs, one of my favorite 4th grade books ever, Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH.
I loved Dean Koontz’s Watchers~I didn’t know you were a fan?
Oh, and I agree with you Alison, regarding Lovely Bones. That is my idea of Heaven, too!!

Hey Ann~
I’ll send you a copy of A Dog’s Life, by Ann Martin, which I loved. I also agree with those who have mentioned Where the Red Fern Grows. I was OBSESSED with that book in 4th grade, and read it 6 times, over and over, because I loved it so much. Ditto with Call of the Wild~love that Buck.
Don’t forget Because of Winn Dixie, and Julie of the Wolves. And, even though it’s not about dogs, one of my favorite 4th grade books ever, Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH.
I loved Dean Koontz’s Watchers~I didn’t know you were a fan?
Oh, and I agree with you Alison, regarding Lovely Bones. That is my idea of Heaven, too!!

My niece was reading “Where the Red Fern Grows” when I visited a week or so ago, so I decided to read it, too. I just finished it this morning, and I cried and cried. Wow!

And “Stone Fox”–I loved that one. Maybe I’ll get that one for her next…

Good luck with the puppy, Ann!

My niece was reading “Where the Red Fern Grows” when I visited a week or so ago, so I decided to read it, too. I just finished it this morning, and I cried and cried. Wow!

And “Stone Fox”–I loved that one. Maybe I’ll get that one for her next…

Good luck with the puppy, Ann!

A review of “Scream Like Banshee” by Tamira Ci Thayne

http://www.screamlikebanshee.com

Between the pages of Tami’s first novel I found a book about dogs, a plan for self-improvement, a guide to fostering, and even a ‘get out of fostering free card’. “Scream like Banshee” will take you on a tour of Tami’s life where you will discover how to maintain your sanity, acknowledge your limitations, how to say NO without feeling like a jerk, and when it is really time for you to say YES.

Where else would you come across advice like this? “I can always get another husband or wife. Fostering a dog is very important and makes a huge difference. It will give me purpose and make a sad dog happy.” Or read a whole chapter titled “Crappy Homes Happen”?

How about some truthful insight into the life of Dogs Deserve Better Founder and CEO Tamira Ci Thayne? Uncover a few of her successes and failures in rescue and meet a friend who relates to your trials and will help you conquer your fears.

Whether you’ve fostered hundreds of dogs or none, it is an enjoyable read mixing laughter and empathy with real life situations. Thayne may even leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about our canine companions and the people who care about them. A book that is more than a tool for fostering; it is a declaration of the spirit, heart and soul of Dogs Deserve Better, its founder and rescuers universally. The moral to this story is “It’s OK not to be perfect; a dog will love you anyway.”

http://www.screamlikebanshee.com

-Dawn Ashby, Rescue and Public Liaison Director, Dogs Deserve Better

A review of “Scream Like Banshee” by Tamira Ci Thayne

http://www.screamlikebanshee.com

Between the pages of Tami’s first novel I found a book about dogs, a plan for self-improvement, a guide to fostering, and even a ‘get out of fostering free card’. “Scream like Banshee” will take you on a tour of Tami’s life where you will discover how to maintain your sanity, acknowledge your limitations, how to say NO without feeling like a jerk, and when it is really time for you to say YES.

Where else would you come across advice like this? “I can always get another husband or wife. Fostering a dog is very important and makes a huge difference. It will give me purpose and make a sad dog happy.” Or read a whole chapter titled “Crappy Homes Happen”?

How about some truthful insight into the life of Dogs Deserve Better Founder and CEO Tamira Ci Thayne? Uncover a few of her successes and failures in rescue and meet a friend who relates to your trials and will help you conquer your fears.

Whether you’ve fostered hundreds of dogs or none, it is an enjoyable read mixing laughter and empathy with real life situations. Thayne may even leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about our canine companions and the people who care about them. A book that is more than a tool for fostering; it is a declaration of the spirit, heart and soul of Dogs Deserve Better, its founder and rescuers universally. The moral to this story is “It’s OK not to be perfect; a dog will love you anyway.”

http://www.screamlikebanshee.com

-Dawn Ashby, Rescue and Public Liaison Director, Dogs Deserve Better