There’s something special about summer reading—long days, slower schedules and the simple joy of relaxing outside with a good book and a dog nearby. So, when we asked our WCC Facebook and LinkedIn communities to share their favorite dog-themed reads for our June newsletter, you responded with a list full of adventure, inspiration, nostalgia and plenty of heart.

Not surprisingly, many of the recommendations highlight the powerful bond between humans and dogs, especially service dogs and military working dogs. Several titles earned multiple mentions, including “A Dog Called Hope,” “Thunder Dog” and “Craig & Fred.” Others revisited timeless classics like “The Incredible Journey,” “Old Yeller,” “Where the Red Fern Grows” and “Because of Winn-Dixie,” stories that clearly continue to resonate across generations.

From touching memoirs to childhood favorites, your recommendations reminded us just how meaningful dog stories can be. We received an overwhelming response to our post and did our best to include as many recommendations and contributors as possible below. If we inadvertently missed a few, please know how much we appreciate everyone who took the time to share their favorite reads with us.

From all of us at WCC, happy summer reading!

• “Two of my favorites: “A Dog Called Hope,” a true story by Jason Morgan and Damien Lewis about a wounded warrior and the service dog who saved him. It also illustrates the important role puppy raisers play. And “The Art of Racing in the Rain,” a novel by Garth Stein featuring old-soul Enzo the dog.”
  – Sue Norwood
• “I have so many, but I’ll start with these: “Craig & Fred,” “Second Chances,” “No Ordinary Dog,” “Always Faithful,” “Sergeant Rex,” “Top Dog” and “A Dog Called Hope.” You can purchase these books for a fraction on eBay or my favorite book charity, Thrift Books, (also on eBay). And shipping is always free!”
  – Marjorie Brooks Lipson
•  ““A Big Little Life” by Dean Koontz about a released service dog who deeply touched his life. Tissue alert.”
  – Florence Scarinci
• “Thunder Dog” by Michael Hingson, James Herriot “Dog Stories”
  “Watchers” and “Devoted” by Dean Koontz
  – Becca Twaits
• “From Baghdad, with Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava”
  – Megan Powell
• ““As a former elementary librarian who brought her SDiT to school, I loved “Rescue & Jessica,” by Jessica Krensky, “Tuesday Takes Me There” by Luis Carlos Montalvan and “Chester and Gus” by Cammie McGovern.
  – Celeste Diehm
• ““Chase” by Lynwood Barclay—Chipper is a very special dog!”
  – Joyce A. Levair
• “How fun to remember!” “Edgar Sawtelle,” author David Wroblewski, “The Art of Dancing in the Rain,” author Garth Stein, “The Inside of a Dog,” author Alexandra Horowitz, “Craig & Fred,” author Craig Grossi, “Thunder Dog,” author Michael Hingson, “A Dog’s Purpose,” author W. Bruce Cameron, “A Dog called Hope,” authors Damien Lewis and Jason Morgan. Our KIDS favorites that we loved reading—”James Herriot Dog Stories,” author James Herriot, “Call of the Wild,” author Jack London, “Because of Winn Dixie,” author Katie DiCamillo, “The Pokey Little Puppy,” author Janette Sebring Lowry, “Lady and the Tramp,” Teddy Slater, “Ribsy,” author Beverly Cleary, “Old Yeller,” author Fred Gipson, “Shiloh,” author Phyllis Reynold Naylor, “Where the Red Fern Grows,” author Wilson Rawls, “Go, Dog Go!,” author P.D. Eastman, “Marley and Me,” author John Grogan.
  – Dianne Cochran
• “Raising a Hero” by Laura Numeroff
  – Debbie DiMaggio Sarno
• “Weekends with Daisy,” by Sharron Kahn Luttrell
  – Karen Zipf Filkins
• ““Bitter End Birding Society” is a great book and the stray dog is instrumental in the protagonist’s journey.”
  – Tracy Ballard
• “”My Dog Lala” by Roman Kent—a very short Holocaust story about a family and their dog. Easy read and okay for 3rd graders through adults. As an aside, Roman was liberated from Flossenbürg Concentration camp by the U.S. 90th Infantry Division on April 23, 1945.”
  – Susan Kent Avajan
• “”Dog Songs: Poems” by Mary Oliver (this is where the poem “Luke” comes from). “Weekends with Daisy” by Sharron Kahn Luttrell (this is the book I teach in my composition classes).”
  – Dr. Jessica Rabin
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