Did you know that during the pandemic, nearly one in five households adopted a new pet? More than 23 million dogs and cats were added to households that already included 78 million dogs and nearly 86 million cats? That’s a lot of fur to love and sweep up. Disclaimer: I am one of those households. We got our first dog 18 months ago and are still apologizing to our long-suffering cat. No matter your age, gender, ethnicity, economic status, astrology sign, or pizza preference, nothing unifies people like our love of animals. Below are some of my favorite books about our four-legged furry friends.
Once A Wolf examines how wolves became man’s best friend starting over 15,000 years ago.
Dog’s Best Friend continues the discussion by explaining how loyal dogs became indispensable to humans.
First Friend tells the same story for young children with heartwarming pictures and a straightforward tale. Plus, it’s cute.
First Friend : How Dogs Evolved From Wolves to Become Our Best Friends
A Cat’s Tale shares the story of felines from prehistory to Egyptian gods to house cats. This self important history is narrated by Baba, a domestic shorthair tabby dedicated to helping her human.
We were always cat people. I was a cat person who married a cat person, we had multiple cats and kids. Not long after our last cat died, those kids began begging for a dog. We did what any sane cat people would do, we waited them out and adopted another cat. But something snapped during that pandemic shutdown when we were all landlocked with each other. 
A dog meant freedom, roaming, an excuse to get out of the house and explore the neighborhood. Someone to stay up with you in the wee hours and share midnight snacks. Cats want you on their terms; dogs will take you however they can get you.
The propaganda war was waged with films then books. Every W. Bruce Cameron A Dog’s Purpose novel was read and discussed. Every adorable dog film from Scoob! to The Art of Racing in the Rain was watched. Everyone who also had teenagers told me to go ahead and get the dog because at least then someone was always happy to see me when I came home. They were right. Who could not love this face? Besides the cat, of course.
(Photo on the left: Our Goldendoodle, Truffle. Not because he is sweet like candy but because he snorts like a truffle hunting pig).
Now instead of decoding teen behavior, I find myself wondering why our dog digs, licks, barks, drools, and growls. These helped:
Could I make our dog a YouTube star with his cute face and smart tricks? The answer is no but we keep trying.
The Big Book of Tricks for the Best Dog Ever
Now instead of making cookies, I make dog biscuits. Instead of friendship bracelets, we sew dog beds.
Fun Accessories to Sew for your Dog
Fun Accessories to Sew for Your Dog
Could I ever have envisioned how much great company the dog is? Never. He rides in the car several times a day for school drop-off and pick-up. He is the life of the party when friends come to the house. He has puppy play dates and park dates and gets free pup cups in the drive-through! He will get the teens talking and my lazy self walking and both are much-needed improvements. He has taught us that it is important to eat, sleep, and be social and that life is always better with a buddy by your side.
Thanks for being our buddy here at The Library District!
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