Great Dog Stories

These are tales about people who turned around the lives of their dogs, and dogs who turned around the lives of their people. A retired greyhound named Blaster learns about life beyond the racetrack. Jovi, a fearful border collie, discovers the joys of human and canine companionship. A service dog named Blue opens doors for her owner, a quadriplegic, that he thought were forever closed to him. Dog lovers of all ages will be inspired and moved by these true stories.

The New York Times bestselling novel from Garth Stein–a heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of a dog’s efforts to hold together his family in the face of a divisive custody battle. Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals. On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally; the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny's wife; the three-year battle over their daughter, Zoë, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoë at his side. Having learned what it takes to be a compassionate and successful person, the wise canine can barely wait until his next lifetime, when he is sure he will return as a man.

From small mixed-breed pets to devoted work partners performing life-saving duties, dogs are remarkable and versatile creatures, and they enrich our lives immeasurably. Roxanne Willems Snopek shares 11 moving stories that illustrate the bonds between exceptional dogs and their owners. A service dog named Zephyr changes the life of celebrated children's author Jean Little. Mojo, an aging black Labrador retriever, gives the gift of courage to a cancer-stricken young boy. A woman who rescues unwanted and abused dogs is herself saved by a pair of brave Rottweilers during a hike in the bush. Eve, a sheepdog with a fear of sheep, becomes the first civilian-owned dog in Calgary to be certified as an RCMP Civilian Search and Rescue Dog. These inspiring tales of the love, dedication and intelligence of humankind's canine companions are certain to be treasured by all dog lovers.

The day has arrived for the Dogs' Summer Ball. It's so high class that each dog must remove their bottom before they are allowed inside the hall. But in the middle of all the frivolity something unexpected happens and the dogs have to make a hasty exit...with or without the correct bottom!

The age-old question of "what will I be when I grow up" gets a hilarious twist in this stylish and clever story. A pup and his father contemplate his grand future while looking at other Great Dogs in their family. Will he be a marathon runner like Uncle Tibor, the fastest dog in the family? Will he be an astronaut like Aunt Yuki, who reached for the stars? Or maybe a teacher like Uncle Scooter, respected by all? No matter what, says his father, he will be a GREAT dog! Davide Cali's tongue-in-check writing and Miguel Tanco's unique and funny illustrations bring these great dogs to life and will have readers giggling from start to finish. With gatefolds that show the real story behind the characters and a surprise twist at the end, Great Dog is a winner for kids and parents alike!

From the authors of Four Paws from Heaven (over 100,000 copies sold) comes a new collection of devotional tales. In these heartwarming stories, the authors share wisdom gleaned from years of training, guiding, and loving the canines in their lives. Readers will discover powerful spiritual insights, including: the blessing of true companionship the gift of unconditional love the joy of adoption the power of obedience the comfort of resting in the Master's arms Everyone who has loved a dog will find encouragement and hope in these touching stories—reminders that these faithful, devoted companions are part of God's great plan for their lives.

This collectioon of stories about dogs features works by such writers as Italo Calvino, Ray Bradbury, Joan Aiken, and Dorothy L. Sayers