Central Library Book Review: Dog On It

Buffalo Rising 0

Staff Review by Ann Kling

The Dogs Have It.

Associated Press' Petside.com poll reports that 74 percent of people like dogs. If you're a member of that group and you also like to read about dogs, you're in luck. The Buffalo and Erie County Library owns quite a few great dog books. What do you read after you've read Grogan's Marley and Me? If you like fiction, one of my favorites is Dog On It by Spencer Quinn.

In the book, Bernie and Chet are a private investigation team. Bernie's the human, while Chet is the somewhat hyperactive canine, but he's very smart! It's a light read, told by Chet, with lots of canine fun and a mystery too. And if you like this, Quinn has written a second book, Thereby Hangs a Tail, which has just been released.

Another favorite told by a dog is Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. Enzo is a Lab-terrier mix who loves to watch National Geographic, and the old racing videos of his owner, Denny Swift. Enzo is Denny's greatest fan and supporter through some very stressful and somewhat unbelievable rough patches. He longs to be reincarnated as a human, with the gift of speech and opposable thumbs.

If you prefer non-fiction, don't miss Merle's Door by Ted Kerasote. Merle is a Labrador mix found by Kerasote on a camping trip. Realizing that Merle needs his freedom, Kerasote installs a dog door so Merle can come and go as he pleases (rural Wyoming - no leash laws). If dogs could make some of their own decisions, what would happen?

Jon Katz has written several books about his dogs and other assorted creatures who live on Bedlam Farm in upstate New York. The latest two are Soul of a Dog (2009), and Izzy and Lenore (2008).

And of course, don't miss Bliss To You by Trixie Koontz (Dean's dog) for a lighthearted guide to life. It's guaranteed to make you smile!