We all love our dogs. We love watching dog movies, we love seeing dog videos online, and we love reading great stories about dogs. Both fact and fiction, we love it all! Dogs bring a smile to our faces, and joy to our hearts. Bring on the hygge! 

If you’re ready for a good read this winter, we’ve got just the list for you! Check out these amazing, funny, heartwarming, inspiring novels featuring dogs. 

This is a list of the top 9 most popular novels from 2021 about dogs. We’ll give you a little description of each, so you can decide which book might be the best fit for you. Read one or read them all! Which one is the best? You be the judge!

  1. A Dog’s Courage: A Dog’s Way Home Novel 
    A Dog’s Courage: A Dog’s Way Home Novel was written by #1 New York Times bestselling author, W. Bruce Cameron. This story is the sequel to A Dog’s Way Home, which became a movie. 

    In this story, a dog named Bella—who was once lost—is now living happily with her new loving family. But on a weekend camping trip in the Rocky Mountains, a giant wildfire separates Bella from her family, and she is lost once again. She must now fight against predators and wildfires (while protecting two mountain lion cubs!) to find her way back home. 

  1. Dog Days: A Novel About Love, Loss, and What It Is To Be Human
    Dog Days by Ericka Waller is a book about the ways that dogs bring out the best in us… even in the midst of life’s challenges. This book features three different stories that intersect. A story about George who is an older, grumpy man that lost his wife; a story about Dan who has OCD; and a story about Lizzie, a woman living in a women’s refuge with her son. 

    All three of these people own dogs who end up being their anchor as they go through some of life’s most difficult moments. 

  1. How Stella Learned to Talk: The Groundbreaking Story of the World’s First Talking Dog
    This instant New York Times Bestseller was written by Christina Hunger. This might sound crazy, but it’s based on the true story about how speech-language pathologist, Christina Hunger, taught her dog, Stella, to communicate. Stella uses simple “paw-sized buttons” associated with different words to speak to her owner. 

    Christina used these types of devices—called Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices—with her human clients. And she thought, “Can dogs use AAC to communicate with humans?” This book is part memoir, and part how-to. Christina will tell you all about her methods, and how you can use these with your own pup. 

  1. How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals 
    How to Be a Good Creature is another New York Times Bestseller, written by Sy Montgomery. In this book, “Sy Montgomery reflects on the personalities and quirks of 13 animals—her friends—who have profoundly affected her in this stunning, poetic, and life-affirming memoir featuring illustrations by Rebecca Green.” 

    She also reflects on the similarities between animals and people: the way we love, create our families, cope with loss, and show forgiveness.  

  1. I Thought You Said This Would Work
    This funny novel is written by Ann Garvin. It’s about a road trip between two former best friends, Samantha and Holly, and how things go terribly wrong. They are on a mission to get revenge against Samantha’s ex-husband and to do a special favor of adopting a dog for their mutual friend, Katie, who is now hospitalized with cancer. Throughout the story, you’ll see second chances, forgiveness, and friendship.

  1. London’s Number One Dog-Walking Agency: A Memoir
    This novel is by Kate MacDougall, and is full of humor and wit. “London’s Number One Dog-Walking Agency bounds along with the energy of a rambunctious pup and exudes the wisdom of a beloved canine with an old soul.” This book is full of Kate’s newfound wisdom through her life experiences, interactions with the canine owners, and her relationships with the dogs in her life. 

  1. Max the Miracle Dog: The Heart-warming Tale of a Life-saving Friendship 
    Max the Miracle Dog is a novel written by Kerry Irving. As Kerry suffered through neck and back injuries from a car accident, unemployment, and the depression that came with it all, he met a spaniel named Max who helped him through his pain. Max helped Kerry find comfort and encouragement. And this book is based on their inspiring true story. 

  1. Oliver: The True Story of a Stolen Dog and the Humans He Brought Together
    This true story was written by Steven J. Carino. The novel is about Steven’s dog, Oliver—who was his comfort and his companion—and how he was stolen from Steven on Valentine’s Day. Steven and Oliver both crossed paths with people from every walk of life, as they tried to find their way back to each other. 

    “Oliver is not just a book about a stolen dog. At its core, it’s a story about kindness, friendship, and the power of faith. As Steven says, ‘This is more than just a dog story. This is an everybody story. This is a love story.’”

  1. Piglet: The Unexpected Story of a Deaf, Blind, Pink Puppy and His Family
    Once you see the cover of this book, you’ll fall in love with this dog! Melissa Shapiro, DVM and Mim Eichler Rivas are the authors of this novel, Piglet. This poor, sweet little pup really does look like the famous character Piglet. 

    “One of the most anxious dogs Melissa had ever encountered, the traumatized Piglet weighed under two pounds upon his welcome into the Shapiro household.” Melissa and her husband also had three children and six other rescue dogs. But with some much-needed love and attention, Piglet quickly became more confident and connected with the rest of the family. 

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