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Pet Lovers, Read Or Gift A Great Book

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By KRISTEN LEVINE, Tribune correspondent

Published: December 15, 2007

Looking for some last-minute literary gifts for the pet lover in your life? Or maybe the pet?

The following books are my pick of the list for pet fanciers. Whether you want to learn how to teach your dog cool tricks or you just want a good laugh, consider one of the following.

"Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover's Story of Joy and Anguish," by Mark R. Levin (Simon & Schuster, $22)

If you're craving an inspirational read, this 224-page hardcover fetches!

The author is known as a constitutional lawyer and a nationally syndicated broadcaster. But first and foremost, he's a dog lover.

In 1998, he and his family welcomed a border collie-cocker spaniel mix, Pepsi, into their lives. Six years later, his wife and son persuaded him to adopt a dog, a spaniel mix, from a local shelter.

It turned out he was older than originally thought, and he was the most beautiful dog they had ever seen. They named him Sprite. Their lives would never be the same.

"Rescuing Sprite" is an intimate look at the love between a family and a dog. In Levin's words, "In the end, we humans are the lucky ones."

One more reason to buy: The author will donate a portion of proceeds to animal shelters.

"The New Yorker Book of (All New) Cat Cartoons" (Random House, $22)

In the coffee-table category, this book will lend an air of sophistication to your home.

Culled from the hundreds of cartoons published in The New Yorker in the seven years since the first "The New Yorker Book of Cat Cartoons" - as well as some old favorites from that book-this new collection is a hilarious and creative tribute to cats.

"The cartoons provide a cat's-eye view of the world and the important things in life: food, sleep, love and affection, adventure, food, good friends and doggy enemies, back rubs and food," according to the press accompaniments.

"101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond With Your Dog," by Kyra Sundance (Quarry Books, $17.99)

Dog tricks are fun - they draw attention, spark conversation and bring pleasure and satisfaction to the dog handler.

But more importantly, as this colorful, step-by-step book demonstrates, they can be very beneficial to dogs and our relationships with them.

The positive training and motivational techniques taught in this book not only strengthen the bond between dog and human, but also promote canine physical and mental health, safety and happiness.

"Dog Days: Dispatches From Bedlam," by Jon Katz (Random House, $29.95)

Katz is crazy about dogs. An award-winning journalist, he tells a story about life with dogs and other animals as only a prize writer can. You don't have to have a dog to enjoy this book.

I loved the book because I oddly relate to Katz's way of life. We both live on a "hobby farm" with donkeys, goats and a cat keeping our dogs company. I share many of the same trials and tribulations of caring for a menagerie. We both know the toll of veterinary and feed bills and the payoffs in love and laughter.

If you don't believe me, a Booklist reviewer wrote, "This is a must-read for all animal lovers!"

For Kids

"Sam Katz, on the Loose!" by Frank and Vida Radice; illustrated by Charles Fazzino (Random House, $14.95)

I proudly display this beautiful book, illustrated by a world-renowned master of 3-D pop art, in my office. The writers are a senior vice president of NBC's in-house advertising and promotion division and his wife. The topic is their "slightest bit fat" cat, Sam Katz.

Sam Katz was rescued from the New York City Animal Care and Control Center. A feline companion to a famous and worldly pair, Sam lives in a Manhattan flat filled with rare, amazing works of art.

The story describes Sam's days, when Frank and Vida are working. He catapults into the paintings that take him on imaginative adventures all over the world.

"Banjo Gets a B-A-T-H," inspired by Tony La Russa and his daughters; illustrated by Judy Love (Nestle Purina Pet Care, $14.99, only at Target stores)

La Russa is a Tampa native and manager of baseball's St. Louis Cardinals. His Animal Rescue Foundation has partnered with Target and Purina to create this book for children to read to their family pet, a nonjudgmental listener who is always ready for bonding time.

I love this book because, as a shy kid, I was terrified when called upon to read aloud in class. The ideal solution is a supportive adult, a four-legged friend and this book.

It's available in English and Spanish and comes packaged with a blanket, a tube to keep dog treats and coupons for Nestle Purina treat products. Two dollars from the sale of each book will be donated to La Russa's rescue group.

CRITTER CALENDAR

Support The Animals

Ring in the new year and support the Humane Society of the Nature Coast by purchasing the 2008 Humane Society Open Hearts Calendar for $7. It features photos of local pets and would make a great gift for animal lovers on your list.

Call (352) 796-2711 or go to www.hsofnc.com to find out where you can pick one up.

Open House

Attend an open house from noon to 6:30 p.m. today at the Suncoast Animal League, 1030 Pennsylvania Ave., Palm Harbor. It is a no-kill shelter taking in abused, homeless and unwanted animals.

Open house events include a bake sale, door prize drawing and adoptions. For information, call the league at (727) 786-1330 or go to www

.suncoastanimalleague.net.

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