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Dog Lovers Book Club - February 2021


Is the return to the daily grind getting you down after the summer break? Other than taking your dog for a long walk, the right book provides a great escape from life's stresses... 

Find your next page turner in this February 2021 selection of the Dog Lovers Book Club plus some delightful children's books to encourage kids to read for pleasure.

SEPARATION ANXIETY IN DOGS
Next Generation Treatment Protocols and Practices

by Malena DeMartini-Price

It has now been six years since the release of Malena DeMartini-Price's best selling first book, Treating Separation Anxiety in Dogs. Not one to rest on her laurels, Malena has been busy teaching and mentoring dog trainers worldwide to become Certified Separation Anxiety Trainers (CSAT). 

Working in collaboration with a large network of trainers to collect data and conduct research, new strategies have been developed on many of the key elements of treating separation anxiety. 

Now, in a completely new book, Malena shares these strategies for the use of current technologies, no absence management, and improved desensitisation techniques. Any trainer or guardian dealing with separation anxiety will find this book a valued resource.

Paperback, 184 pages
Publisher: Dogwise Publishing, 2nd September 2020


Price: $28.35 from www.booktopia.com.au

LOSS, LOVE AND LESSONS
Healing pet loss and grief

by Lara Casanova

A heartfelt story of love, grief and loss - yours and your pet's - as you honour your furry, feathery or scaly friend. Loss, Love and Lessons guides you to follow the 'paw prints' on your heart, enabling you to heal your loss, feel the love and appreciate the lessons.

Allow Lara, a heart-centred grief counsellor, to accompany you through Loss, Love and Lessons as she shares from her personal and professional experience and knowledge on grief. An array of tools, insights, reflections and exercises, interwoven with Lara's own grief love story, are designed to help you on your healing journey.


Though grief cracks open your heart, this book guides you to continue to feel the love that shines down brightly from your pet angel at the Rainbow Bridge, bringing healing and peace. The unconditional love of two souls connected as one never dies: the whole point is love!

Paperback, 300 pages
Publisher: Lara Casanova, Life in the Pink, 31st August 2020


Price: $29.46 at www.booktopia.com.au

WHAT A WAG
An Anthropomorphic A to Z of Dogs

by Gill Rowe

What A Wag is an engaging collection of poems written from the dogs' perspective. It is the eighth book of original metric rhyming verse by Gill Rowe and contains beautiful hand-drawn illustrations.

Starting with the Alaskan Malamute and Alsatian, What A Wag encapsulates the charming traits and personalities of fifty different dog breeds. 

Whether you're dotty about the Doberman, mad about Miniature Poodles or crazy for Cavapoos, there's truly something for everyone in this cheery homage to dogs.

Paperback, 100 pages
Publisher: Book Guild Ltd, 28th January 2021

RRP: $23.75 at www.booktopia.com.au

WATCHDOG
Melanie Travis Canine Mysteries
by Laurien Berenson

Melanie Travis and her pedigree Poodles are back on the case in Watchdog, the fifth instalment in award-winning author Laurien Berenson's delightfully dog-friendly cosy mystery series.

It's autumn in Connecticut. Melanie Travis has just started a new job, and with the added excitement of showing her Standard Poodle, Faith, in the fall shows, the last thing she wants is to become embroiled in yet another of her brother Frank's money making schemes. 
His current brainstorm -remaking an old store in stylish suburban Fairfield County into a trendy coffee bar - already has the neighbours snarling. 

Worse, wealthy Marcus Rattigan, who's bankrolling the project, is found murdered on the premises, and the police think Frank did it.

Always the family watchdog, and faced with Frank's imminent arrest, Melanie has no choice but to take on the investigation. Drawing on her connections in the dog world, Melanie is soon successfully unmuzzling the dead man's nearest and dearest. But Melanie is about to learn that being a watchdog can sometimes be dangerous - especially when every clue she uncovers leads her one step closer to a murderer who is desperate enough to kill again...


Paperback, 320 pages
Publisher: Penguin Books Australia, 26th January 2021

RRP: $19.25 from www.booktopia.com.au

BOOK CLUB – KIDS’ CORNER

MAYA AND NALA
A true story of how a girl and a rescue dog became best friends
by Allison Lange

"Maya and Nala" is a sweet tale based on the true story of an extra large dog who needed a home until she met Maya and her family.

Maya's mum is an animal rescuer, so Maya has been around many dogs in the 2 years since she was born. They've fostered dogs, cats and bunnies but this day was different because if Nala was a good match for their household, they would adopt her. Nala's previous person could no longer keep her, so she was spending most of her time at a boarding facility and becoming very sad. Nala was nervous when she arrived at Maya's house but was excited to meet Maya. The bond between Maya and Nala was clear from the beginning, but this was a big change for Nala so Maya had to learn to give her time to adjust.

This transition period is common with animals being adopted into a new home and animals being put into new settings with new people. "Maya and Nala" can help explain this to kids in a fun way and gives parents an opportunity to discuss empathy and understanding of what another being is feeling. Most photos in this book were taken before the idea of telling their story came to be, so readers can truly see the reality of how they are together.


Paperback, 24 pages
Publisher: Bookbaby, 25th January 2021


RRP: $28.25 at www.booktopia.com.au

THE CITY DOG
by Sally Gould, illustrated by Leanne Argent

When his owner leaves him on a sheep ranch, Sandy the dog must learn how to adjust to country life, including driving sheep and deal with his new unfriendly co-worker. 

This is a story about perseverance in the face of new and unexpected challenges and pride in one's achievements set in the Australian Outback as well as a view of life on a sheep ranch.

Hardcover, 40 pages
Publisher: Starfish Bay Children's Books, 1st January 2021
For Ages: 6 - 7 years old


RRP: $29.50 at www.booktopia.com.au


TILDA TEACHES ANIMAL CARE
by Amy Adeney, illustrated by Katie Alexander

Tilda goes along to puppy school with Harry and his pup Jimbo, and meets lots of doggies waiting for their forever home. Surely, Tilda's family would be a great forever home for a needy dog. But her parents say no. They tell her that Baby Joe is too young for a pet and that dogs are expensive. Tilda is grumpad! That's right, grumpy and sad.


She plans to make the money to pay for her own doggie, by running a class making animal care products to sell at the school stall. But when her plans unravel, Tilda turns her very grumpiness to Baby Joe...

Paperback, 112 pages
Publisher: Five Mile Press, 15th September 2020
For Ages: 6+ years old


Price: $11.75 from www.booktopia.com.au


GOOD DOG CARL’S VALENTINE
by Alexandra Day

Carl and family are back and this time they are getting ready for Valentine's Day. After making a Valentine Card for her Mother, Madeline sits down to a well- earned snack.

Unbeknownst to her, or anyone else in the family, Carl gets into the home-made Valentine supplies. 

As usual, the results of Carl's secret activities are sweet, funny and this time around especially loving - appropriately enough for the Valentine's season.

Hardcover, 30 pages
Publisher: Laughing Elephant, 19th January 2021
For Ages: 4 - 8 years old


RRP: $28.50 from www.booktopia.com.au

MY
FRIEND FRED

by Frances Watts, illustrated by A. Yi

Winner of the 2020 CBCA Awards Book of the Year for Early Childhood

A delightful picture book about a friendship between an exuberant but loveable Dachshund and his more retiring, tidy housemate.

My friend Fred eats dog food for breakfast.
I think dog food is disgusting.

My friend Fred howls at the moon.
I don't know why.
He does a lot of funny things.
But even though we are different, Fred is my best friend.

Hardcover, 24 pages
Publisher: Allen & Unwin Children's, 6th May 2019
For Ages: 3+ years old


Price: $17.50 at www.booktopia.com.au
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