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| Feline sisters Katmandu & KittenYahoo were adopted in May, 2007. |
DEWEY: The Small-town Library Cat Who Touched the World
Vicki Myron with Bret Witter
This is a charming and heart-warming story of a kitten who is adopted by a small-town library in Iowa. It’s also the story of the librarian who loved him and the town of Spencer, who took him to their hearts. I thought the author’s explanation of the farm crisis of the 80s and the factors that have caused the decline of so many small towns across America was the best and easiest to understand that I’ve ever read. I loved how this “community” cat drew the people of Spencer together and, for the nineteen years of his tenure as their library cat, gave them something warm and loving to share during their hard times.
WESLEY THE OWL
by Stacey O'Brien
©2008 I've read a lot of books about pets, but this one is definitely one-of-a-kind! A research biologist at CalTech specializing in owl behavior adopts an injured baby barn owlet. Little Wesley becomes the center of her life for 19 years!
I knew I was going to really like this book when, on page 32, the author tells of an experience she had with a barn owl flying at eye level outside the window of her car as she drove down a mountain road. Her experience was just like the one I had with a wild swan many years ago, and her joy at the event was identical to mine: an amazing close encounter with something rare and beautiful.
I'm sorry, Wesley---but Stacey is the real star of the story! Her adventures living with an owl (heads up, Harry Potter fans) and her misadventures in the lab were hilarious and heart-warming. Her work at the research lab was fascinating and sometimes downright gross! We've all heard horror stories about lab animal mistreatment, but I was happy to find out that at the research lab where Stacey worked, the animals were treated with good care, respect, and love. Stacey went on to a career as a wildlife rescuer and rehabilitation expert.
I learned a lot about owls reading this enjoyable book. I was amazed to find out that Stacey fed an estimated 29,000 mice to Wesley over his 19-year life, at more than a dollar a piece!
This was a book I could enjoy slowly, one outrageous chapter at a time. Or it can be a quick read, with side-splitting action on nearly every page. I recommend it for everyone --- a real feel-good pet story, packed full of interesting animal facts.
JAMES HERRIOT’S FAVORITE DOG STORIES
by James Herriot
©1995 This small volume of true dog stories by the late Yorkshire veterinarian is illustrated with gorgeous watercolors of some of Herriot’s favorite patients. The stories are sweet and simple and tell as much about the owners as it does about their dogs. This book would make a great gift for dog lovers and would make fine bedtime stories for children.
THE ALL-AMERICAN DOG: Man's Best Friend in Folk Art
by Dr. Robert Bishop
This delightful little picture book contains examples of early American paintings, portraits, carvings, needlework, weather vanes, pull-toys, carousels, andirons (fire dogs), cane handles, door stops --- all with dogs as the theme. Also included are amusing quotes about dogs, such as this one from Abraham Lincoln: "Killing the dog does not cure the bite."
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