The commercial aspects of the holidays can be off-putting, but I still love the focus on family and friends. And gifting too — when it’s a thoughtful expression of love. That’s why there are at least 15 books sitting close by my desk, either already wrapped or awaiting decoration, to be sent to dear family and friends for the holidays. I love, love, love giving books as gifts, if they are carefully chosen for the receiver. My love of gifting books is hardly a surprise, coming from someone who obviously loves books herself, and uh, writes them. I try to be careful to only send books to those I know will appreciate them, mindful of my beloved Dad, who gave me a camera every single Christmas for years (my Dad, a gifted photographer who left the arts to support a growing family), except the year he bought me a model train. I couldn’t have cared less about a train set, but the memories of the happiness on his face, while playing with it, will warm my heart forever. This all, of course, leads to a list of books that I think are great gifts for dog and animal lovers. I look forward to hearing about other ideas from the hive.

First, books related to living with dogs: Ack, where to start? So, so many!  But, to get us started . . .

Manage It! Hack for Improving Your Dog’s Performance, by Juliana DeWillems. Every, every dog owner needs this book, and every, every trainer does too. I’ve said for years that you can tell a professional dog trainer from a dog lover by how much they use management versus training. And besides, who can not love a book that says “of course you can let your puppy sleep in bed with you after you bring them home!” Seriously, this is a great book.

Canine Enrichment for the Real World, by Allie Bender. Another crazy, practical book that acknowledges the lack luster life that many companion dogs live, and provides multiple examples of how to enrich your dog’s life without having to quit your job or rehome your children. Every dog I know deserves this book, unless they spend their days working a flock of sheep or cattle, and their nights on the couch with you.

Bark! The Sci of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive dog, by Zazie Todd. No one combines a love and understanding of science, a love of dogs, a love of people who love dogs, and writing about dogs as does Zazie Todd. Where she gets her energy is a mystery to me, but as true of her previous books (Wag, Purr), Zazie writes about fearful dogs with compassion, practicality, and a deep understanding of biology. This is a must-have for anyone with a fearful dog, or anyone who works with them.

Dog Smart: Life-Changing Lessons in Canine Intelligence, by Jennifer Holland. When one of the world’s greatest authors on animal behavior, Sy Montgomery, says this book “. . . will knock your socks off!,” we are wise to pay attention. Jennifer is all-in on traveling around the world to understand what’s going on inside those adorable heads sleeping on our couches, and reading about what she discovers is as good as any novel.

Treat Everyone Like a Dog: How a Dog Trainer’s World View Can Improve Your Life, by Karen London. This is not a new book, and you probably know that Karen is a dear friend and colleague, but even if I knew her and didn’t like her, I’d still rave about this book. I read again it every year, because even with all my experience and training I STILL need reminding that I can apply the science of animal training to my own life. Who knew? Everyone will profit from reading this book, whether they are dog lovers, dog trainers, or dog phobic.

Abandoned, by Katherine Carver: Chronicling the Journeys of Once-Forsaken Dogs, by Katherine Carver. This is a very different kind of book from those above. It is a collection of stunningly beautiful photographs of dogs found abandoned, and revisited a year later after finding their forever home. It was inspired by Katherine’s own dog, Biscuit, found on a highway, terrified and starving. Each set of “before and after” photos include a short essay about the dog. The book is both a piece of art and an inspiration, a perfect holiday present to anyone who has ever rescued a dog or works in the shelter/rescue world.

What about books for animal/nature lovers beyond living with dogs and dog training?

Familiaris, David Wroblewski, the author of the acclaimed novel, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. I can not wait to settle into this book. I loved David’s first book so much that when he introduced himself at a seminar I could barely breathe. I’m not sure anyone understands the depth of the relationship between us and dogs as well as David. I haven’t started my copy yet, so am going to quote Bookshop here: “By turns hilarious and heartbreaking, mysterious and enchanting, Familiaris takes readers on an unforgettable journey from the halls of a small-town automobile factory, through an epic midwestern firestorm and an ambitious WWII dog-training program, and far back into mankind’s ancient past, examining the dynamics of love and friendship, the vexing nature of families, the universal desire to create something lasting and beautiful, and of course, the species-long partnership between Homo sapiens and Canis familiaris.”

An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us, Ed Yong. Just in case you thought you knew what “reality” was, dive into this brilliant book about the staggering ability of non-human animals to perceive sights, sounds, and smells that we have no knowledge of. I learned tons from this book, even though it included information that I had learned when studying animal behavior in college. We went out at night and recorded snowy tree crickets, and figured out the temperature from the rate of their chirps. We learned to talk bee by watching honey bees do their “figure eight dance,” and used to find the hidden food source a quarter of a mile away. Ed Yong is one of our greatest science writers, and this book is a perfect gift to an animal lover on your gift list.

The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World, by Robin Wall Kimmerer. I finished this small treasure of a book this morning, easily read in two or three brief sittings. But it will stay with me for the rest of my life. It’s a book about the “gift economy,” exemplified by the Serviceberry bush, who provides a buffet of sweet berries, “for free, — berries that feed all number of creatures, who themselves feed the earth, themselves in all number of ways. Sort of the “Little Free Library” of the plant world, in which people prize community and shared resources rather than an economy of scarcity and competition. I can’t think of a more perfect book for our present time. (I bought five, and I wish I’d bought more.)

Mythopedia: An Encyclopedia of Mythical Beasts and Their Magical Tales. I bought this for two kids in my life, (age 5 and 12, and, just saying, why didn’t I buy one for me?), and wish I could be there when they rip off the wrapping. It’s a gorgeous book, full of color and whimsy and animal magic. Check it out, it’s wonderful.

So many more wonderful books out there, but this is a start for a great conversation this week. (Note: I have written about several of these books in the past, you can do an easy search for them if you’d like to read more.

MEANWHILE, back on the farm: We spent a few heavenly days in Chicago last week with dear friends Matt and Kelly of Tip Top Tails Dog Training, a perfect quick get-away. That’s the four of us at the tip of the shadow in the famous “Cloud Gate” (or jelly bean) in Millenium Park. It makes selfies a trip unto themselves.

The Field Museum is a must-do anytime you’re in Chicago. I could spend days there. Here’s Jim, underneath “the world’s largest known animal to have ever walked the earth,” the Patagotitan mayorum. I’m pretty sure someone just made all this up . . .

You can’t visit Chicago without going to the Shedd Aquariam, where we received priceless Beluga whale therapy. Take two beluga’s and call me in the morning.

Closer to home, and nowhere near as dramatic, we still enjoyed watching these Canada geese illustrate their ability to walk on water:

And, surely, one of the best parts of traveling is coming home to the dogs! Maggie and Skip kept the couch warm for us:

Don’t hesitate to jump in with your holiday book suggestions, there are so many out there! I look forward to your ideas, bring them on!