human-animal relationships

"For fans of A Man Called Ove, a luminous debut novel about a widow's unlikely friendship with a giant Pacific octopus reluctantly residing at the local aquarium-and the truths she finally uncovers about her son's disappearance 30 years ago"--Provided by publisher.

Bub the pug and his human Bella plan a pirate-themed sleepover with their friends and discover that even as the best-laid plans go awry they can still have fun.

The life of a musically gifted bird changes forever after she discovers the music of Chopin and helps a talented young pianist solve the mystery of a long-lost Chopin piano.

In alternate chapters, twelve-year-old Jeremiah, who has a fatal heart condition, and J6, the pig growing the heart that could save his life, give their own perspectives on being a transplant donor and donee. Includes facts about the research project on which the story is based.

"When Chris McDougall agreed to take in a donkey from an animal hoarder, he thought it would be no harder than the rest of the adjustments he and his family had made after moving from Philadelphia to the heart of Pennsylvania Amish country. But when he arrived Sherman was in such bad shape he could barely move and his hair was coming out in clumps. Chris decided to undertake a radical rehabilitation program designed not only to heal Sherman's body, but to heal his mind as well. It turns out, the best way to soothe a donkey is to give it a job and so Chris decided to teach Sherman how to run. He'd heard about burro racing--a unique type of race out west where humans and donkeys run together in a call-back to mining days--and decided he and Sherman would enter the World Championship in Colorado. . . In the course of Sherman's training, Chris would have to recruit several other runners, both human and equine, and call upon the wisdom of burro racers, goat farmers, Amish running club members, and a group of irrepressible female long-haul truckers"--Provided by publisher.

One day, Jo?o is walking along the beach and discovers a penguin covered in oil and weak. Jo?o cleans the penguin and nurses him back to health, but when he goes to release him back to the sea, the penguin doesn't want to leave. Jo?o names the penguin Dindim and continues to care for him. Eventually, Dindim does go and join his colony, but he returns for eight months every year to spend time with his rescuer.

Amelia loves cats, but has a harder time with people. Franklin understands her, though, and sees how much they have in common. When Amelia gets into some trouble at school, Franklin wants to help the girl who's done so much to help him. He's not sure how, yet, but he's determined to try"--Provided by publisher.

Presents the true story of Irish immigrant Mickey Walsh, who, along with his pony, Little Squire, became a legend in the world of show jumping.

"A memoir of love and loss, of being in the right place at the right time, and of the mysterious ways a beloved pet can bring people together, from CBS Sunday Morning News correspondent and multi-Emmy-Award-winning Martha Teichner. . . There's a special camaraderie among early-morning dog walkers. Gathering at dog runs in the park, or strolling through the farmer's market at Union Square before the bustling crowd appears, fellow pet owners become familiar-as do the personalities of their beloved animals. In this special space and time, a chance encounter with an old acquaintance changed Martha Teichner's world. As fate would have it, her friend knew someone who was dying of cancer, from exposure to toxins after 9/11, and desperate to find a home for her dog, Harry. He was a Bull Terrier--the same breed as Martha's dear Minnie. Would Martha consider giving Harry a safe, loving new home? . . . After Martha agrees to meet Harry and his owner Carol, what begins as a transaction involving a dog becomes a deep and meaningful friendship between two women with complicated lives and a love of Bull Terriers in common. Through the heartbreak and grief of Carol's illness, the bond that develops changed Martha's life, Carol's life, Minnie's life, Harry's life. As it changed Carol's death as well. In this . . . narrative, Martha considers the ways our stories are shaped by the people we meet, and the profound love we can find by opening our hearts to unexpected encounters"--.

"This nonfiction book for middle readers examines the lives of dogs who work with humans to find new ways to solve environmental problems. Included are stories of dog encounters in the field and examples of canines working to conserve wildlife"--Provided by publisher.