Friday Finds: 9-11-2009

Here are my finds this week!


Alex and Me by Irene M. Pepperberg

Publisher: Harper Paperbacks

About the book: "You be good. I love you," were Alex's final words to his owner, research scientist Irene Pepperberg, before his premature death at age thirty-one on September 6, 2007. An African Grey parrot, Alex had a brain the size of a shelled walnut, yet he could add, sound out words, understand concepts like bigger, smaller, more, fewer, and none, and he disproved the widely accepted idea that birds possess no potential for language or anything remotely comparable to human intelligence. Alex & Me is the remarkable true account of an amazing, irascible parrot and his best friend who stayed together through thick and thin for thirty years—the astonishing, moving, and unforgettable story of a landmark scientific achievement and a beautiful relationship. (Amazon)








Dogged Pursuit: My Year of Competing Dusty, the World's Least Likely Agility Dog
by Robert Rodi

Publisher: Hudson Street Press

About the book: Best in Show meets Marley and Me in the hilarious (mis)adventures of an unlikely duo competing for glory on the pro dog circuit

An urban intellectual and a scruffy, disobedient Sheltie team up to conquer the Canine Agility pro-circuit in this hysterical account of the quest for glory in the competitive dog world. A cousin to the popular best-in-breed show, agility competitions resemble doggie boot camp: dogs scamper across teeter-totters, jump tires, and scoot down tunnels-without leashed guidance from a human. Taking home ribbons requires a focused handler and a cooperative dog.

Robert Rodi is a self-proclaimed Blue-stater who prefers fine wine and Italian literature (in Italian) to SUVs and suburban sprawl. His dog Dusty's scrawny build and skittish personality make him an unnatural competitor. Nevertheless, Rodi recounts a year filled with victories, failures, and hysterical personalities, and the loving bond between one man and his bug-eyed dog. (Amazon)




Bad to the Bone: Memoir of a Rebel Doggie Blogger
By Bo Hoefinger

Publisher: Citadel

About the book: Let's get this clear right away: I'm a dog. I'm 1'10" and weigh 63 lbs, and although I'm a mutt on the outside, I'm a purebred on the inside. My good nature comes from the Golden Retriever side of the family, while my stubbornness is clearly from my Chowchow bloodlines. I've got Rastafarian ears, a black tongue for licking, and paws that should be on a dog twice my size.

I type 60 words a minute.

My name is Bo, and this is my story.

From shelter dog reject to beloved pet and popular doggie blogger, Bo Hoefinger's life has been anything but ordinary.

Join this incorrigible canine as he welcomes us into his life, complete with his wacky "parents," a constipated feline housemate, and chipmunk warfare. Bad to the Bone is an unforgettable, laugh-out-loud tale of love and loyalty that reveals the true heart of a modern American family.

Bo Hoefinger's popular blog receives over 100,000 page views per month. He is also the dog behind the writer chosen as the "doggie blogger" for Dogster.com, which has a membership of more than 500,000.

A frequent contributor to local fence post 12, Bo continues his nonprofit work with the Beneath the Fence Society. In his spare time he dabbles in knocking over garbage pails, barking uncontrollably, and generally being a helpful force around the house.

He lives in Atlanta. (Barnes and Noble)

What great books did you find this week?? Stop over at Should Be Reading and share yours!

Alex & Me
Publisher/Publication Date: Harper Paperbacks, Reprint/Sept 2009
ISBN: 978-0061673986
288 pages



Dogged Pursuit
Publisher/Publication Date: Hudson Street Press, June 2009
ISBN: 978-1594630545
288 pages



Bad to the Bone
Publisher/Publication Date: Citadel, September 29, 2009
ISBN: 978-0806531298
272 pages