This may be one of my favorite books ever.  Brought up things I had never considered before for "talking dog".  Extremely helpful for first time dog owners as well as those of us who have never lived without a "pack" to call our own.  From Amazon.com:  In her own insightful, compelling style, Patricia McConnell combines wonderful true stories about people and dogs with a new, accessible scientific perspective on how they should behave around each other. This is a book that strives to help you make the most of life with your dog, and to prevent problems that might arise in that most rewarding of relationships.

The cover of this wonderful book drew me to it, but the writing kept me up reading all night. From Publishers Weekly:  In an engaging work that is part memoir, part argument for a more holistic approach to veterinary medicine, this "left-brained" man of science tells how he gradually learned to observe and respond to an animal's emotional state, as well as to the physical needs he was trained to focus on.

 Family Dog, Water Dog, Gun Dog (3 separate titles)                    Richard A. Wolters

Years ago when Rick and I were vacationing, we met a man who had the most charming labs that we had ever met. (This was before we had ventured into labland)  He shared the secret of this training method with us.  There are some techniques that I do not agree with but the simple premise of consistency works wonders in every instance.  I feel this method needs to be softened a little.  But considering when it was first published this trainer was ahead of his time.

 ANY BOOK BY JAMES HERRIOT....OF COURSE.        

Classics for animal lovers of most ages.

ANY BOOK BY STEPHEN HUNECK

Stephen Huneks books are the perfect depiction of Labradors at their best.  Pictures from his famous wood cuts sum up what life with dogs is all about.  I have all of them, and wish to someday have one of his prints hanging in the doghouse at dogpatch.                                                                 

The New Work of Dogs: Tending to Life, Love, and Family   

     Jon Katz

Drawn from hundreds of interviews and conversations with dog owners and lovers, breeders, veterinarians, rescuers, trainers, behaviorists, and psychiatrists, The New Work of Dogs combines compelling personal narratives with a penetrating look at human/animal attachment, and questions whether this relationship shift is an entirely positive phenomenon for both species. Katz offers us a portrait of a community, and by extension a country, that is turning to its pets for emotional support and stability—a difficult job that more and more dogs are expected to do every day. The New Work of Dogs is a provocative and moving exploration of the evolving role dogs play in a changing and uncertain world

A Dog Year                                                                              Jon Katz 

Another great book from Jon Katz telling the woes of the transition from mellow Labradors to the challenge of Border Collies.  Easy, quick read.  Great fun for all dog lovers

Old Friends                                                                             Mark J. Asher

Dogtionary                                                                              Sharon Montrose

Two great art quality pictorials.  The first gives advice from old dogs on how to live life.  The second uses haiku-like descriptions of dogs as an alphabet book.  Wonderful additions to any coffee table.

Dogs Don't Bite When a  Growl Will Do

Matt Weinstein, Luke Barber                               

A fun book looking at how to deal with situations through a dogs eyes.  Fun light reading.  Very enjoyable