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Dog Lovers Book Club - November 2024




If you can't bear the idea of a Christmas morning without unwrapping a pile of real books then dive into this November 2024 selection of our Dog Lovers Book Club
A great way to make a start on your Christmas list with a gift that lasts...

With the holiday season fast approaching, we made Christmas shopping easy with exclusive offers for our readers in our Top 20 Christmas Gifts for Aussie Dogs in 2024 
to spoil your dogs, because they're worth it!

DOGS AND THEIR HUMANS
Stories of Healing and Hope from the Supervet's Surgery

by Noel Fitzpatrick


There’s no love quite like that between a dog and their human.

When people come to see
Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick at his referral hospital, they are in desperate need of his help. 

No matter who they are – a serving member of the military, a young boy whose dog is his best friend, a couple at a crossroads – they all have one thing in common: hope that Noel may be able to heal their animal companion.

In his thirty years as a Vet, Noel has seen people from all walks of life come through his doors. And through stories of his cases, he shares his unique perspective on our often hilarious and sometimes heart-breaking relationship with dogs. 

Filled with warmth, love and characters from Thor the Pyrenean Mountain Dog to Bertie the Pomeranian, with every shape and size in between, this is a celebration of our connection with man’s best friend.

Dogs make us the best humans we can be.

Hardcover, 320 pages
Publisher: Gallery UK, 4th October 2024


Price: $55.75 from www.booktopia.com.au

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER COLLAR
Confessions of a Dog Trainer
by Steve Mann

Funny, moving and wonderful true stories from a life spent with our beloved four-legged friends, from the UK's No. 1 dog trainer.

From the simple joys of owning his first puppy through to handling security dogs and training owners worldwide, Steve Mann has seen it all. Every day, he witnesses the power of dogs to change lives and help people in all sorts of ways. Now, for the first time, he shares stories from his wide and varied career as the UK's top dog trainer.

Meet Pele
, the lightning-fast Greyhound that refused to chase a mechanical hare.


Meet Alfa, Steve's beloved German Shepherd for whom Steve traded in his car to follow his dream.

Meet a dog called... 'Dog', who changed Steve's life and taught him that laughter is the key to unlock learning.

Meet Woofy, who helped a ten-year-old boy (and Steve) overcome anxiety.

And three-legged Maggie, who taught Steve that imposter syndrome is the real imposter, and that life is about doing the best you can with what you have.

Filled with tales from the frontlines of dog training - discover what Steve learned from the livestock-working dogs of Australia, the body language conversations of 'desert dogs' in the Middle East, and the potential pitfalls of working with dogs on live TV.

Chronicling a lifetime spent with dogs, this book takes the reader on a journey from first love, to handling the grief of death, with everything that life throws at you in between. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll hold your dog just that bit closer.

Hardcover, 288 pages; also available on Kindle
Publisher: ‎Blink, 3rd December 2024


RRP: $39.99 available for pre-order from www.amazon.com.au

MY SENIOR DOG
A Complete Guide to Caring for Your Old Dog
by Hope Chambers


Sam's muzzle is gray, and his eyes are cloudy. He prefers to nap under his blanket instead of playing endless rounds of fetch. Sam is slowing down. Does this describe your beloved dog? If so, they may be entering their senior years. My Senior Dog, A Complete Guide to Caring for Your Old Dog, can help you make this time golden!


Breed, genetics, injuries, and traumas all play a part in the rate of a dog's decline. Much like humans, dogs-even canine siblings-can age at different rates.

Big dogs age more quickly than small dogs. Some breeds are more prone to serious illness than others. How will you know when your dog has reached their senior years?

This book unpacks 30 years of dog care experience. From medical conditions and diet management to grooming tips and dog-approved life hacks, rest assured that you will find your answers in My Senior Dog. You'll discover:

✔️ Physical and behavioural signs to watch for in your aging canine friend
✔️ Ways to treat and prevent medical conditions and maintain your senior dog's well-being
✔️ How to cater to your dog's reduced mobility and keep them active
✔️ Recommendations for products that keep your senior dog content and make their condition easier to manage
✔️ When to say goodbye and how to heal from your loss

You'll also find 13 proven life hacks to improve the daily life of your senior dog! Some are so simple, you'll wonder why you hadn't thought of them sooner-like packing soft blankets and pillows around your dog on road trips and keeping the hair between their paw pads trimmed to increase traction on slick floors.

My Senior Dog will walk you through the essential skills you need to keep your dog comfortable and make their final years happy and enjoyable for both.

Paperback, 140 pages
Publisher: Lightning Source Inc, 23rd March 2023


Price: $38.23 from www.booktopia.com.au

THE HAPPINESS OF DOGS
by Mark Rowlands

A ground-breaking exploration of a dog's experience of the world and how they can help us understand ourselves better, from the author of The Philosopher and the Wolf.

If a dog could write a book of philosophy, what would it contain?

If you have spent part of your life with a dog, you may find certain questions popping, unbidden, into your mind. Is my dog living a fulfilled life? Is my dog a good dog? Does my dog love me? This, however only scratches the surface of a canine philosophy.

Drawing on his life lived with dogs (two German Shepherds, the amiable Hugo and his dark twin Shadow; Brenin, a wolf hybrid, and Tess his wolf dog daughter; and Nina, a German Shepherd/Malamute mix), on the ideas of philosophers from Socrates to Hume and Sartre, and on the cutting edge psychology of canine cognition, philosopher Mark Rowlands explores the way dogs experience the world to bring us closer to an understanding of ourselves.

While dogs feel unparalleled joy and focus in the moment, humans are burdened by the disquietude of anxiety, doubt and even anguish. Happiness for dogs can be achieved in the daily chase of a squirrel, for humans it is much more elusive.

Digging deep into their morality, freedoms, consciousness, intelligence and love of life, Rowlands discovers that dogs have a unique way of existing which amounts to a different philosophical outlook altogether - if they could write such a thing - and that they may have better answers to the meaning of life than we do.

Paperback, 256 pages
Publisher: Granta, 29th October 2024


RRP: $33.25 from www.booktopia.com.au 

MY THREE DOGS
by W. Bruce Cameron

My Three Dogs is a charming and heartfelt new novel from the number one bestselling author of A Dog's Purpose, about humankind's most loyal companion, and a wonderful adventure of love, family and finding home.

Life has never been sweeter since the day Labradoodle puppy Archie came bounding into the lives of best friends Luna, the Jack Russell, and Riggs, the miniature Australian Shepherd.


However, when a tragic accident separates the three dogs from their human, they each find themselves up for adoption - alone. After the exuberant, fun-loving Archie and quick-witted, feisty Luna are taken to new homes, Riggs's powerful herding instincts drive him to seek out his fellow companions and bring his pack back together.
But will Riggs succeed, or will he end up chasing his own tail?


Cameron's signature style shines through in this whirlwind of a novel that showcases the determination, instinct and love that make a family whole.

Paperback, 288 pages
Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia, 29 October 2024


Price: $22.99 from www.booktopia.com.au

CATS AND DOGS IN ART & DESIGN
by National Gallery of Victoria

For millennia, artists and designers have been inspired by the enduring relationship between humans and their feline and canine friends. 

From Egyptian antiquities and Islamic and Hindu iconography, through to European paintings and contemporary First Nations art, cats and dogs are universal subjects.

Featuring allegorical emblems and modern masterpieces, this richly illustrated book showcases more than 100 works of art and design depicting loyal dogs and spirited cats selected from the National Gallery of Victoria's Collection. 

Whether you're a dog lover or a cat person, these works reveal how deeply embedded our favourite animals are, not only in our lives but also within the history of art and design.

Hardcover, 232 pages
Publisher: Thames & Hudson Australia Pty Ltd, 29th October 2024


Price: $38.75 from www.booktopia.com.au
Cats & Dogs exhibition at NGV Australia | 1 November 2024 to 20 July 2025!
SEARCHING FOR GOMEZ
by Gwenda Gray 

An extraordinary true love story...

... about the search for a vulnerable senior heart dog who is lost in hostile bushland, and needs help to get home.


... about an unprecedented response by a community of dog lovers on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, who come together to find Gomez.

... about the wonder and joy of dogs; love; grief; the importance of community; the positive use of social media; the power and solace of kindness, empathy, hope and commitment; and the need to ask for and accept the help of others.

Paperback, 214 pages, also available on Kindle
Publisher: Gwenda Gray, 20th September 2024


RRP: $43.99 at www.amazon.com.au 

BOOK CLUB - KIDS’ CORNER

THE LOST DOGS
by Patricia Forde, illustrated by James Brown

Meet The Lost Dogs

Luna the Labrador. She's a worrier. She can't imagine how her family will survive without her to look after them. 
Bella the Cocker Spaniel. She's lost most of her memories but can still remember a home where she was loved. 
Eddie the Terrier. An optimist who sees the funny side in everything. But since his owner died, it looks as if the dog pound might be his fate. 

Thrown together when their worlds fall apart, these three dogs will share the biggest adventure of their lives. They'll break out of prison, go on the run, be shipwrecked and homeless; they will dodge the cruel dog warden and risk their lives to save other dogs from a criminal gang. 
However much they have lost, they will discover a new kind of family in each other. But will they find their way home?

Paperback, 256 pages
Publisher: UCLan Publishing, 3rd October 2024
For Ages: 7-12 years old

RRP: $26.40 from www.booktopia.com.au

HOMECOMING TALES
15 Inspiring Stories From Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary
by Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary, Tama Fortner (As told to)


These real-life stories of senior dogs who found forever homes through Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary will delight any young animal lover. The Homecoming Tales of sweet, sassy, and sometimes hilarious old friends offer kids a unique reminder that no one is too old to give or receive love.

Meet Mack, Dog Bowl contestant and social media star; Marco, a scary tough dog-until someone gave him a second chance; Shaq, a gentle giant who is learning to leave his fears behind; Prince, a laid back dude who doesn't let being blind steal his sunshine; and JuneBug, a spunky sweetheart who just wants to cuddle and keep you safe from the vacuum cleaner. 

Each chapter focuses on one canine companion from the Tennessee-based dog rescue, with fun facts about his or her breed, stories of silly antics, and the meaningful tale of how this canine companion found a forever family. 

This delightful middle grade book entertains, teaches, and inspires and will be a new favourite for fans of A Dog's Purpose and the Puppy Tales series.


In this light-hearted, easy-to-read nonfiction chapter book, you'll find:
✔️ the true stories of how 15 dogs found a loving home.
line drawing illustrations of each featured dog and a full-colour photo insert.
✔️doggy stats, fun facts, and recipes for your own canine friend.
✔️ information on adopting and owning pets, caring for aging animals, ideas for helping a pet with special needs, and ways kids can get involved with their local animal shelter or rescue.

Homecoming Tales is a great gift for any eight to twelve-year-old who loves animals, enjoys volunteer work, or simply appreciates heart-warming stories. 

With information about care for older dogs, this educational book is also a helpful read for families who are interested in adopting a senior dog.

Paperback, 208 pages
Publisher: Harper Collins Kids Australia, Imprint: Thomas Nelson, 21st May 2021 
For Ages: 8-12 years old


Price: $6.38 at www.amazon.com.au

LEO’S DOGS
by Ellen Skowronski (Author), Maria Russo (Illustrator)

Leo's Dogs is the heart-warming story of a boy adjusting to a new life. Beautifully illustrated, this book will appeal to children of all ages.

Moving to a new home isn't easy for Leo. He is trying to learn a new language and make friends. Leo also misses the dog he had to leave behind. Things turn around when Leo gets a chance to read to rescue dogs in an animal shelter.


This book is available in English-only and many bilingual editions and includes teacher resources and English audio.

This book is part of the Language Lizard Living in Harmony collection which helps explain concepts of diversity, kindness, and friendship.


Paperback, 26 pages
Publisher: Language Lizard LLC, 17th September 2024
For Ages: 5 - 12 years old


Price: $29.95 from www.booktopia.com.au 

THERE WAS AN OLD DOG WHO NEEDED A NAP
by Ed Masessa (Author), Petronela Dostalova (Illustrator)

An old dog wants nothing more than to take a nap, but a musical mouse makes this impossible.

Through rhyming text and a series of funny letters, the miscommunication between the two builds to a surprising ending.

Paperback: ‏32 pages
Publisher: ‎Reycraft Books, 2 August 2021
For Ages: ‎ 4 - 7 years


RRP: $41.92 from www.amazon.com.au 

OLD DOG
by Jeanne Willis, Tony Ross

A warm-hearted story about not underestimating your aged grandparents which all generations will enjoy.


You can't teach an old dog new tricks.' The Young Pups don't want to visit Grandpa - he is so "boring", and only ever wants to talk about the olden days. 

They don't believe Grandpa was ever young or fun, so Grandpa sets out to prove them wrong, and show them that there is life in the old dog yet!

Paperback, 32 pages
Publisher: Andersen Press, 4th June 2020
For Ages: Up to 5 years old


Price: $23.50 from www.booktopia.com.au

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