Who makes our lives more fun? Our pets! Teddy, my two-year-old Pomeranian mix, is always there by my side whether we’re going for a walk or snuggling up on the couch to watch another episode of Young Sheldon (although he’s more of a Bluey fan). Since there are lots of events coming up dedicated to our little friends, such as National Pet Day on April 11, I’ll be sharing a short list of recommendations for those who can’t get enough of pets and animals.
Sorry Waldo, move aside for Find Momo Coast to Coast, a photography book that fuses a cute border collie and travel photos for the challenge of finding Momo! And believe me, it’s a very immersive way to pass the time. Whether it’s Ontario or California, be jealous of Andrew Knapp and Momo’s road trips across Canada and the U.S. — because who wouldn’t want to travel with their trusty canine? Knapp writes in the introduction that there’s no travel companion more ideal than Momo, which I’m sure no one can disagree with, since he’s unbothered by wrong turns and is always nearby when the nights get cold (sounds like cuddling time to me!). As readers, we’re there sharing the memories with Momo, even if he’s hiding from us behind cars or monuments. The photography is stunning, and it inspires me to travel with Teddy to take similar photos (although he probably won’t sit still long enough for me to take a picture).
But there’s more! If you breeze through Coast to Coast, there’s another Find Momo book that you can use to test your eyesight. For folks with little ones or those who prefer something more compact, there’s also a board book in our collection titled Let’s Find Momo Outdoors!
This book made me hug Teddy for a little longer. Dog Songs by Mary Oliver is a collection of poems dedicated to our furry companions that sing about the lives of humans and dogs. While poetry isn’t my forte, I’ll acknowledge that this book hits hard. Poems like the introductory “How it Begins” epitomize the start of the dog-human relationship — out of all the puppies you could’ve brought home, you end up with the one.
One of the poems that I find most relatable, “Conversations,” involves an exchange between the narrator and a charming little dog named Bear (you have to see the illustration of Bear on page 10, by the way). Bear convinces his human to cancel a trip; how Mary Oliver describes a saddened Bear is simultaneously adorable and heartbreaking, an image that cements my decision to never go on vacation if Teddy’s without family or can’t tag along.
There are other poems that are heavier, taking on tear-jerking subject matters like death. Others are more humorous, like “The Wicked Smile,” which is about a pooch cheating its owners into giving another meal. The poems are dedicated to many dogs, bringing in resonant philosophies that will make you smile, cry, and think about what dogs bring and teach us. Have you ever thought that how we see our four-legged friends is similar to how they see us? “Every Dog’s Story” perfectly exemplifies this: an anxious dog can find a safe place in their human — a bond that any pet owner will say goes both ways. And what about when we’re too absorbed by a screen? “Ricky Talks About Talking” reminds us to put down the phone and listen, to be present. There’s a compelling poem in this book for everyone!
Ever wonder why dogs are our best friends? Unlikely Friendships: Dogs: 37 Stories of Canine Compassion and Courage by Jennifer S. Holland is a compilation of stories about different pooches who are friends with all sorts of other animals. Some of these pups have exhibited extraordinary levels of heroism whereas others have found comfort in another’s presence. It’s no wonder that they get along with everybody!
As much as we would love to hoard our dogs for ourselves, they like to make friends with other furry (and not so furry, but still gorgeous) creatures too. Take Rex for example, who’s featured in “The Junkyard Dog and the Goose,” the first story in the book. Rex is a previously abused and belligerent German Shepherd who befriended a gentle goose named Gerry, which turned Rex into a more loving dog. Here’s where more waterfalls will be shed: Gerry passed away after about a year and a half, and it seems like no one can take his place as Rex’s new bestie. Rex had met eight other geese, although none were like Gerry; Rex was still seemingly saddened by his best friend’s absence. This is just one of 37 heartfelt friendships. Others include a Bernese Mountain dog and a ferret; a chihuahua, who has two legs and two wheels, and a Silkie, which is a breed of chicken; and a small shaggy dog named Joker and a bunch of dolphins.
These dogs can inspire us to learn a few new tricks as well, in case they’d ever be handy. A Bernese mountain dog named Nico, who isn’t a fervent swimmer, once saved a couple while on a trip to the beach, rescuing them from a rip current. The unbelievable part comes when a news crew went out to interview Nico and Daniel Clarke, the Bernese’s owner who also assisted with the couple’s rescue, on the beach. Nico saved a third person while the news crew captured the situation. That’s a three-peat for Nico! Come grab this book to melt over the cute photographs and stories that feature the most wonderful friendships out there!
The Dog Encyclopedia: The Definitive Visual Guide is exactly as it sounds. Sometimes when I’m at parks and see doggos roaming about, I ask their owner what breed the pooch is. This book can equip you with the knowledge to identify dog breeds and their characteristics with more accuracy. Funnily enough, I discovered that Teddy might be a Volpino Italiano and Pomeranian mix! Sometimes it can be hard trying to pin down what breed your dog might be, so this book can come in handy with your research and guesses.
The book also delves into the history of dogs from the hunter-gatherer days, later turning to modern breeds and the evolution of dogs. There are also sections about anatomy, reproduction, dogs in religion and culture, and taking care of dogs. Even if you currently don’t have a furry friend at home, there’s a section near the end of the book that’s dedicated to being a dog owner and what you should think about prior to taking in a pooch.
From the history of our best friends to profiles of innumerable breeds (this is a very thick book!), this is surely the go-to comprehensive guide for canine lovers.
I promise this isn’t a jab at the cat lovers out there, but Starter Villain by John Scalzi is centred around villainy. And no, I’m not calling cats evil. But in this novel, Charlie’s deceased Uncle Jake leaves behind an evil empire comprised of typing cats and foul-mouthed dolphins. Flowers are sent to Jake’s funeral, although they come with insensitive and eyebrow-raising messages, such as “Dead? LOL okay,” which is followed by a smiley emoji with its tongue out. A bunch of attendees are hired to confirm Jake’s death. In fact, no one at the funeral is actually paying respects to the late billionaire — it seems like they’re all there for the same purpose. Someone tries to stab the lifeless corpse with a knife through Jake’s heart, spiralling Charlie into a frantic bemusement. But it gets weirder. From dolphins preparing to strike to faking the death of a CIA agent, this novel’s humorous style will have cat lovers scratching up the fun. Does Charlie have what it takes to run his uncle’s empire? And what sort of family secrets will be unearthed? Perhaps most importantly: what role do the cats play in this villainous organization? Read the book to find out!
Talking cats… or are they? Unlike the previous recommendation, I promise this one doesn’t have a correlation between kitties and villainy. The Full Moon Coffee Shop challenges readers to be better by allowing us to see through the eyes of multiple people who feel stuck in life. Mizuki Serikawa, for instance, is a 40-year-old scriptwriter for a mobile romance game who has been having career- and romance-related struggles. But when she’s invited to a café run by shapeshifting cats with astrological abilities, she feels compelled to rethink how she can reignite the spark she once possessed as a former hitmaker who’s gone anonymous. Her success becomes intertwined with other stories throughout the book, specifically multiple patrons who have visited (or been visited by) the café.
Our feline friends lend a paw to others who also have a range of complications in their lives, which include an actress’ ruined career following an exposed affair and a tech executive’s bad luck with back-to-back mishaps. After the cats, who are named after planets in our solar system, take our protagonists down a philosophical lane filled with epiphanies, they become revitalized and compelled to fight their way back to a state of happiness and success.
Let’s end it off with some laughs, shall we? Since laughter is the best medicine, indulge in tummy-grabbing chortles with Wild and Crazy, a book filled with funny images of wildlife that will give you that extra dopamine to get through the rest of the week. There are cheesy jokes that go hand-in-hand with the pictures, contextualizing the photos with an extra dose of silliness. Some of the jokes are quite bad, but in the smiling-while-eye-rolling dad joke kind of way. And even if some of the captions didn’t make me laugh, the best part was the photographs themselves, because who wouldn’t want to see a picture of a flying squirrel leaping through the air or black bears with photography equipment?
I hope that the recommendations above will inspire you to give your pet a hug for me — and if you don’t have one at home, then I’ll give Teddy a hug for you instead! To end it off, if you are looking for something to watch while cuddling with your pets, fetch some documentaries or shows featuring David Attenborough in our collection! They’re also great for learning about wildlife while being bewitched by Attenborough’s hypnotically majestic voice. Until next time, and I hope you’re all having a tail wagging-worthy spring!