7 Books for Pet Lovers

By: Faith P.

7 Books for Pet Lovers: Every so often, you need a nice quiet space, a book, and your four-legged friend to escape the complexities of life. There are many excellent books to choose from. Here are seven books that we think you’ll love:

The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa

This short novel was written by Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat was initially published in Japanese but was later translated into English due to it being a best seller. It has also been adapted into a Japanese film. This story is of a cat named Nana and Nana’s owner Satoru. Told from both Nana and a narrator’s perspective, this book takes you along Nana’s journey of a trip that Nana believes is for Satoru to reunite with his old friends.

As they travel through Japan in a silver van, they learn the meanings of courage, gratitude, loyalty and love. A heartwarming tale that is sure to entice any cat lover’s attention. This book will touch your heart with the complex relationships in both people and cats shown. It truly depicts the love shared between a pet and its owner. 

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron

The story of Dewey is a true one; it is of how a kitten that got dropped off at a local library in Spencer, Iowa, and then proceeded to inspire the world. This true short story takes you through how a cat could be there for people whenever they needed him most. Dewey’s story doesn’t begin happily. On the coldest night of the year, he was stuffed into the return book slot of the Spencer Public Library at only a few weeks old.

For the next nineteen years, he charmed the people of Spencer with his enthusiasm, warmth, humility, and his sixth sense about who needed him most. As his fame grew from town to worldwide, Dewey became more than just a friend; he became a source of pride for the Heartland farming community.

Poonachi: Or the Story of a Black Goat by Perumal Murugan

Poonachi, the little orphan goat. As you follow her story from forest to habitation, independence to motherhood, you recognize in its significant moments the depth and magnitude of your fears and longings, fuelled by the instinct for survival that animates all life. She carries the burden of being different all her life. It is equally an expression of solidarity with the animal world and the female condition. The story is also a commentary of our times, choices we make as a society and a nation, and the increasing vulnerability of individuals.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

A classic short novel was written by the famous writer George Orwell. The book, first published in 1945, takes you to a rebellion led by the animals. Mr. Jones of Manor Farm is so lazy and drunken that he forgets to feed his livestock one day. The ensuing rebellion leads to the animals taking over the farm. They vow to eliminate the terrible inequities of the farmyard. The renamed Animal Farm is organized to benefit all who walk on four legs. However, as time passes, the ideals of the rebellion become corrupted, then forgotten, and something new and unexpected begins. It is a good read for those who love animals and a short dystopian novel; this will be right up your alley.

White Fang by Jack London

This book is another classic by another famous author. White Fang was first published in 1906 and has been adapted into movies bearing the same name. This short novel follows a wolf through its life and encounters with people. In a cave, he was born in famine, in the frozen arctic, delivered in a world where the weak died without mercy and where only the swift, the strong, the cunning saw each dawn. It was White Fang’s world until the men captured him and his mother. Men and their dogs taught White Fang to hate.

He was beaten, abused, attacked. He was bought, sold, tortured, trained to kill in blood sports. Only one man saw White Fang’s intelligence and nobility, the only one that dared to offer him a new life. But can a wolf understand the word “hope”? Can a creature who was taught to hate ever understand the word “love”? This book told from White Fang’s perspective, intrigues you as you follow his life and through all his struggles and hardships. It will have you rooting for his happy ending.

I Am A Cat by Sōseki Natsume

In this book written originally in Japanese by Sōseki Natsume, you follow the perspective of a stray kitten during the Meiji era in Japan. I Am a Cat satirizes the foolishness of upper-middle-class Japanese society. With acerbic wit and sardonic perspective, it follows the whimsical adventures of a world-weary stray kitten who comments on the follies and foibles of the people around him. The book is considered a classic in Japanese, and it would be an excellent read for someone who wants to sees a cat’s pessimistic view of humanity.

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

Black Beauty was first published in 1877 and has grown to become a classic. It follows the story of a horse through his journey from his beautiful home to a life of cruelty. Black Beauty is a handsome, sweet-tempered colt with a strong spirit. As a young colt, he is free to gallop in the fresh green meadows. But when his owners are forced to sell him, Black Beauty goes from a life of comfort and kindness to one of hard labour and cruelty. Bravely he works as hard as he can, suffering at the hands of men.

But Black Beauty has an unbreakable spirit and will and is determined to survive. This book is heartwarming and heartbreaking and makes you think of cruelty from the perspective of the horse. It can be a lovely read for both adults and kids.

Making the choice:

Whatever book choice you decide upon, you are bound to find enjoyment in these stories.  Please share your favourite books with us by commenting below. bonus points for animal-related literature.