Is Your Summer Going to the Dogs?

I know that my summer has not been the best on record.

We have dealt with several minor issues. First, we completed a construction project inside the house that we are still cleaning up after. Then, our beloved black lab ate nails and had to have two surgeries to clean out his tummy (the first to try to get the nails out and the second to stitch him back up after the stitches came out).  Most recently, AJ and I have had strep throat in 100 degree heat. At least we have ice cream and popsicles.

So, what is a girl to do?

Stop howling and do something about it.

There are plenty of dog books and movies that I can relax with in the cool air conditioning. And, even better? My son can enjoy them with me, especially if I hand him a Popsicle for his throat.

My Life in Dog Years- Gary Paulsen: Paulsen writes candidly about his dogs and how human they are to him.

Shiloh – A fabulous coming of age story about a young boy who helps out a unfortunate dog.

I’ll Teach My Dog 100 Words – A little guy plans all the things he is going to teach his new dog. ..just like the title says. Pretty self-explanatory.

Love That Dog-One of Sharon Creech’s funniest books, Love that Dog is told all in free verse from a boy’s perspective. As a class assignment, he must write a poem and ends up writing this one, against his will. Poor kid.

Go, Dog. Go!- Similar to Dr. Seuss, this book offers a variety of colored dogs and silly phrases to keep little ons entertained and learning.

dog train- My mother gave this to AJ last Christmas and it’s still a little over his head, even the music. However, I love the creativity behind it. The book comes with a CD of doggie train music that has a edgy rock and roll kick. Rock on barkin’ dude.

The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!- The Pigeon finds a hot dog and wonders what it tastes like.

The Digging-Est Dog Duke learns to dig and dig he does! All over the town the dog digs and then he has to fix it all!

A dogs life, the autobiography of a stray, A Stray finds a new home and describes what it was like to live as a stray for so many years.