Dogs I Know

Dogs can be pretty irresistible. Their hopeful eyes, unstoppable tails, and constant love continually remind us of how they got the moniker "man's best friend." The bonds can be made in an instant and last for years, and as with our human friends, no two relationships are ever alike. Dogs I Know is a lovely little book that celebrates the unique stories of a handful of dogs. Each story is told in the words of the owner, and is accompanied by a sweet photograph or two that shows off the deepest personality of the dog in question. Samantha joined her family when "she was about the size of a large coffee mug." Now totally deaf, this golden cocker spaniel still loves the beach and is shown looking slightly damp and thrilled with the stick in her mouth. Hunter, the golden lab that was the inspiration for this book, is shown in a dramatic black-and-white close-up shot, ears back and head turned slightly. The look is both concerned and mischievous, and it captures perfectly the essence of a dog who once ate a two-square-foot chunk of carpet, destroyed plants and wallpaper, and yet managed to completely wrap author Ryan Willis around his paw. Reading this book is like sharing stories with your friends about those memorable dog moments all canine fanciers experience at some time: the first car ride, the goofy nicknames, the weird habits, and most of all, the love. --Jill Lightner