"The target audience of 'The Dogs of Christmas' will clearly be dog lovers, but I would also recommend it to people who think they aren't dog lovers. They just might be surprised!"

While nursing a broken heart, Josh Michaels is outraged when a neighbor abandons his very pregnant dog, Lucy, at Josh’s Colorado home. But Josh can’t resist Lucy’s soulful brown eyes, and though he’s never had a dog before, he’s determined to do the best he can for Lucy—and her soon-to-arrive, bound-to-be-adorable puppies.

Soon in over his head, Josh calls the local animal shelter for help, and meets Kerri, a beautiful woman with a quick wit and a fierce love for animals. As Kerri teaches Josh how to care for Lucy’s tiny puppies and gets them ready to be adopted through the shelter’s “Dogs of Christmas” program, Josh surprises himself by falling for her.

But he’s fallen even harder for his new furry family, which has brought incredible joy into Josh’s life. He barely has time to sit down, between chasing after adventurous Sophie and brave Oliver, but when he does, his lap is quickly filled by the affectionate Lola. And Rufus and Cody’s strong bond makes Josh wonder about his own relationships with his family.

With Christmas and the adoption date looming, Josh finds himself wondering if he can separate himself from his beloved puppies. At odds with Kerri, Josh isn’t willing to lose her, but doesn’t know how to set things right. Can a surprise litter of Christmas puppies really change one man’s life?

W. Bruce Cameron's The Dogs of Christmas is a charming and heartwarming holiday tale that explores the power of love, trust, and a basket full of puppies.

Hank says:
"When I attended the Tattered Cover's event featuring The Dogs of Christmas, I hadn't been intending to buy a copy, but the presentation was engaging and Cameron committed to donating $2.00 from each sale that night to Life Is Better, a rescue organization run by his daughter Georgia. The added presence of a sweet, gigantic dog named Portia, who was rescued from someone who beat her with a baseball bat and is now in a program that helps people cope with PTSD, convinced me not to resist.
 
The story tells of Josh Michaels and Lucy, a dog he's suddenly, and reluctantly, caring for, while trying to sort out his own human troubles. He's completely ignorant about dogs at first, but plunges in enthusiastically, once he accepts the responsibility. What follows is a tale of human and canine ups and downs, by turns heartbreaking and heartwarming, and the possibilities for growth offered by second chances.

I'm an inveterate cat person, myself, but have for the last couple years come to see why people like dogs, too, thanks to a wonderful shelter dog named Maxy. The target audience of The Dogs of Christmas will clearly be dog lovers, but I would also recommend it to people who think they aren't dog lovers. They just might be surprised!"

Doggone Good Reads: Judy S. Gives This One a 4 Kleenex Rating*

Now including a wonderful new photo insert chronicling Merle’s life, this national bestseller explores the relationship between humans and dogs. How would dogs live if they were free? Would they stay with their human friends?

Merle and Ted found each other in the Utah desert— Merle was living wild and Ted was looking for a pup to keep him company. As their bond grew, Ted taught Merle how to live around wildlife, and Merle taught Ted about the benefits of letting a dog make his own decisions.

Using the latest in wolf research and exploring issues of animal consciousness and leadership and the origins of the human-dog relationship, Ted Kerasote takes us on the journey he and Merle shared. As much a love story as a story of independence and partnership, Merle’s Door is tender, funny, and ultimately illuminating.

Judy says:

"Imagine you were an outdoorsman and a skier and you found a companion dog who loved to slide down on his stomach through fresh powder with you. Then you'd become as ecstatic about and in love with Merle as Ted Kerasote did. He chronicles the day to day life of the gregarious Merle, from campsite crasher to unofficial Mayor of Kelly, Wyoming. A character who became known and beloved by nearly everyone in that small community--due to the freedom of having his own door.

You as reader will develop an affinity for Merle also. You can't help but love him because the writer puts him right there in front of you--head cocked, tongue panting and tail wagging--welcoming you back home to each chapter of his memoir. By the end of the book you cherish this dog's quirky mannerisms nearly as much as the writer. In fact, you'll come to think of Merle as one of your own."

* 4 Kleenex Rating=Don't finish this one on the Light Rail--it could be embarrassing.

Doggone Good Reads: Judy S Reviews...

This is the remarkable story of one endearing dog’s search for his purpose over the course of several lives. More than just another charming dog story, A Dog’s Purpose touches on the universal quest for an answer to life's most basic question: Why are we here?

Surprised to find himself reborn as a rambunctious golden-haired puppy after a tragically short life as a stray mutt, Bailey’s search for his new life’s meaning leads him into the loving arms of 8-year-old Ethan. During their countless adventures Bailey joyously discovers how to be a good dog.

But this life as a beloved family pet is not the end of Bailey’s journey. Reborn as a puppy yet again, Bailey wonders—will he ever find his purpose?

Heartwarming, insightful, and often laugh-out-loud funny, A Dog's Purpose is not only the emotional and hilarious story of a dog's many lives, but also a dog's-eye commentary on human relationships and the unbreakable bonds between man and man's best friend. This moving and beautifully crafted story teaches us that love never dies, that our true friends are always with us, and that every creature on earth is born with a purpose.

Judy says:

"With a chuckle factor approaching that of Dave Barry or Bill Bryson, Bruce Cameron is a syndicated columnist perhaps best known for his offbeat writing about raising his teenage girls.

In A Dog's Purpose he carries over that same quirky humor into the voices of the dogs, who set about solving the mystery in each of their lifetimes that determines their purpose in life. The search is fraught with some of the same angst as it is for humans trying to figure out their raison de etre, but for the dogs it's a whole lot cleaner and simpler. Cameron leads us down a trail of canine lives, threaded together by a singular purpose--that of bettering the lives of their human companions.

This is a tender, hopeful book with a satisfying ending."

She gives this a Two Kleenex Rating, which means "Sniffle if you must. Most won't."

Ongoing Series Begins: Doggone Good Reads!

TC bookseller Judy S. is a big fan of dogs, but since she got outvoted 3-1, by her cats, for having a dog of her own, she's decided to take a look at some of the great dog based books out there.

She begins with:

From miniature chateaux to modernist boxes, from anthropomorphic abodes to classical temples, this humorous book showcases nearly 50 one-of-a-kind doggy domiciles from across America.

Get a sneak peek here (PDF)

Judy says:
"This picture book shows witty and whimsical dog houses, many of which were designed by architects. My favorites are the 'Greek Temple' with the bones for the columns, the 'Dog Cabin' made completely of resin-covered dog biscuits, and the 'Lassie Come Home' 1950's TC chassis, complete with antenna (when the dog looks out the with he appears to be on TV!).
A fun picture book!"