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My Pet World: Consider putting some of these books under the tree

By Steve Dale, Tribune Content Agency on

Here are eight new books perfect for animal lovers this holiday season. Several are inspirational, others are funny, and still others just plain useful.

1. "Unlikely Heroes: 37 Inspiring Stories of Courage and Heart from the Animal Kingdom," by Jennifer S. Holland (Workman Publishing, New York, NY, 2014; $13.95).

Holland excels at these sorts of books -- touching without being melodramatic. Aside from warming your heart, the stories will inspire you to think differently about how animals think and feel. Why would a pod of wild dolphins protect a lifeguard instructor and his students from a great white shark? What about the pet parrot that called "Mama baby!" repeatedly to get his owner's attention when her baby started choking on some food? The parrot's plea likely saved the infant's life.

2. "The Good Luck Cat: How a Cat Saved a Family and a Family Saved a Cat," by Lissa (cq) Warren (Lyons Press, Guilford, CT, 2014; $21.95).

The author's dad adopted Ting to keep him company during retirement. When Dad had a heart attack and died, Ting became more special, as family members associated the cat with their father. Wouldn't you know it, the cat was then diagnosed with heart disease, but possibly could be saved by implanting a human pacemaker, a procedure not previously done in cats. It's a story from the heart in many ways.

3. "The Story of Fester Cat: How One Remarkable Cat Changed Two Men's Lives," by Paul Magrs (cq) (Berkley Books, New York, NY, 2014; $16).

 

If you don't believe a cat can change a life, this is the tale of TWO lives being touched by one cat. A vintage Burt Bacharach/Hal David song talks about turning a house into a home, but you don't need a song to do that -- just a cat named Fester.

4. "The Original Cat Fancy Cat Bible: The Definitive Source for All Things Cat," by Sandy Robbins, Dr. Arnold Plotnick, Loraine Shelton and Sarah Hartwell (I-5 Press, Irvine, CA, 2014; $29.95.

There isn't a thing about cats missing from this book. Check out 544 pages of fun facts, along with dozens of color photos. The authors, all experts, cover lots of new info, such as the latest on the genetic ancestries of our pet cats. Learn about feline folklore, cat breeds you've likely never heard of (such as a Russian Sphynx-like breed called a Donskoy), feline jargon (like "moggie," a mixed-breed) and info on feline health (including alternative approaches). There's a section on cats at work (such as those in animal-assisted therapy programs to help sick children). After reading more pet books than I can count, this is the first time an author has acknowledged a pet named Mr. Poopy Pants.

5. "Tricks and Games to Teach Your Dog: A Dog Fancy Book," by Sophie Collins with Suellen Dainty (I-5 Press, Irvine, CA, 2014; $19.95).

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(c) 2014 DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

 

 

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