I've found that when I read to the young kids, or when helping the older ones learn to read, books about animals are a great resource. Kids are drawn to animal stories, plus it gives you an excuse to make all the funny noises you want!

Here are the top five favorites with the kids I know. Maybe your kids, or the kids-at-heart, will enjoy them too!

• W Is for Woof: A Dog Alphabet - This engaging book has fabulous art work paired with interesting information, all while helping the young reader/listener learn their A, B, Cs. A joy!


• May I Pet Your Dog?: The How-to Guide for Kids Meeting Dogs (and Dogs Meeting Kids) - Not every kid is lucky enough to grow up with a dog in their life. This book helps prepare kids for encounters of the doggie kind - teaching them how to ask for permission to greet a dog, how to greet a dog, and how to interact safely. Kids and adults can learn a lot from this one!


• Alfred's Nose - This French Bulldogs doesn't like his nose. The story, illustrated with wonderful photographs of the author's Bulldog, follow the dog on his voyage of self-discovery and self-acceptance. Adults and children will get a giggle out of the cute costumes!


• Stella, Unleashed: Notes from the Doghouse - Stella is pup who knows her own mind, and is more than willing to share her view of things with you. This box is a mix of colorful art and humorous verse sure to delight. Adults won't mind rereading this one again and again. Which is good, since the kids fall in love with Stella and want to hear the story over and over and over and, well, you get the idea.


• The Kids Guide to Petiquette - Geared for the slightly older crowd (age 4-8), this book is a great resource for people with a new pet, or thinking about getting one.

Labels: books, children, dogs, fun, gifts, kids, puppy

U.K. turns CCTV, terrorism laws on pooping dogs

It's only a matter of time before this starts to happen everywhere. Of course everyone should pick up after their own dog, that goes without saying, but this is taking things way too far.

Labels: dogs, news, pet care, pets

It amazes me how many people don't get this is a song sung from the dog's point of view. Another fine piece of work from Sting!

Labels: dogs, fun, music, puppy, song

L.A. pet law requires pets sterilized at 4 months - CNN.com
This is a bad idea.

Yes, of course, spaying/neutering your pet is the right thing to do, no argument there.

But the decision on **when** to do it is something that has to be decided by you and your vet. The government has no business picking a random number of days/weeks/months and making that the law. This type of law can do far more harm than good!

Labels: dogs, law, news, pet care, pets, puppy

Cute Dog Photo Contest
The fine folks over at Modern Tails run a photo contest every month - the top three favorites win a $25.00 gift certificate!

Get your entry in by 3 PM EST on the last Wednesday of the month!

Labels: contest, cool idea, dogs, fun, pets, photo, pictures, puppy

German police dogs now wear shoes - CNN.com
What a great idea! The booties protect the dog's feet from things like broken glass.

Plus, isn't nice to see police dogs treated well?

Labels: cool idea, dogs, news

Drivers with pets in their laps could land in legal dog house
Fair warning to my readers in CA...Assemblyman Bill Maze is pushing for a law to charge people holding pets on their laps while driving.

Labels: dogs, law, news, pets, travel