The Taos Public Library Is The Place For Pet Lovers

KNOW YOUR LIBRARY

Written by Joanne Forman for the Taos Public Library............... October, 2015

WHO’S YOUR BEST FRIEND?

     
     Plenty of people would vote for their dog or cat—or other pet, as their best friend.

     The interest in pets is indicated by your Taos Public Library: there are some 500 books on pets, from dogs and cats to turtles and fish. Whatever your need, your interest, you’ll find it here.

    

     One of the seminal experiences in the lives of many was a beloved pet during childhood; there are few better ways to teach care and responsibility. So here are some books for young people:

     ADOPTING PETS; HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND, by Bill Gutman. J636.7G. (the “J” means the book is found in the Children’s Room.)

     Another story-like book about adopting a pet: BEN AND BECKY

GET A PET. By Sindy McKay. JBR (beginning reader) McK.

     Yet another general book for the youngsters: PETS by Peter Mueller. J743F. (And this is just a sampling. Check out the Children’s room!)

     Just like humans, pets require care; and when they feel poorly, they can’t tell us about it. So THE ANIMAL DOCTOR’S ANSWER BOOK by Michael W. Fox might be just what is needed. 636.0887

F 793a.

     Increasing numbers of pet owners are as concerned about the animal diet as well as their own: HERBS FOR PETS by Gregory L.

Tilford and Mary L. Wulff will guide you through this comparatively new field. 636.09Til.

     Those who’ve had a dog know that you will never otherwise experience such unconditional love. Those who’ve had a cat quickly learn it’s not YOUR home any more; the cat will love you and/or put up with you so long as you devote yourself to making him/her comfortable and happy—and provide the kind of (often expensive) food  preferred.

      Beguiling dog titles include: HOW TO SPOIL YOUR DOG by Margaret Svete. 636.75968o; THE PUPPY WHISPERER:  a compassionate non-violent guide to early training. Paul Owens, Terence Cranendonk, with Norma Eckroate. 636.7.Owe.  Pure delight is I COULD CHEW ON THIS: POEMS BY DOGS—with a bit of help from human Francesco Marciulano. 811.6Mar.

     For cats, you can’t do better than THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE CAT by Michael Pollard. 636.8 Pol; or THE BOOK OF THE CAT by Michael Wright and Sally Walters. 636.8Boo.

    While not allowing for much cozying, aquariums can be both beautiful and absorbing—and require knowledgeable care: A GUIDE TO AQUARIUM FISHES AND PLANTS by Preben Dahlstrom. 639.34Sch.

More? MICE by SharonLynn Vandelyn. J 636.9V. Or RAISING RABBITS by Anne Kanable. 636.9. Kan. Or TURTLES by Kathryn Stevens J 639.3S. (This writer knows from experience: don’t let them get near the radiator or stove—you’ll have cooked turtle.)

And birds! To name just one: ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PARAKEETS by Kurt Kalar and Karl Spitzer. 636.86Kal.

  

Image: "Ansdell Richard The Gamekeeper" by Richard Ansdell - Source. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.