The Dog Days of Summer are upon us, and we couldn’t be happier to celebrate our canine friends! If you love dogs, you’ll love this month’s recommendations and photos from Bellingham Public Library staff! And hopefully the heat of the sun will be just right for lounging with a furry friend, a good book and an icy beverage. Sun’s out, tongues out!
Books for Adults
Dogs come in all shapes and sizes and fill our lives with companionship, joy, emotional and physical support, and an abundance of love and loyalty. Throughout history, humans and dogs have shared a special bond, and we have so many amazing and delightful stories, as well as non-fiction books about their care and training.
By the way, if you love dogs and absolutely, positively don’t want to read a book in which a dog dies, you might appreciate the website, DoesTheDogDie.com, which was originally created with this one question in mind, but now has trigger warnings for all kinds of content that people might not want to read about or watch. Obviously, the entire site is filled with spoilers, so visit at your own risk!
Library Staff Recommends:
“Following Atticus is one great book!” – Colleen, Outreach Specialist
Dog Years: Faithful Friends, Then & Now by Amanda Jones
“So much sweetness captured in these black and white pictures of beloved dogs in their younger years, side by side with pictures of them much older. A tug at the heartstrings, for sure.” – Jenni, Community Relations Specialist
Books for Children
Harry the Dirty Dog, Where the Red Fern Grows, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and Walter the Farting Dog are all classic stories of dogs that appeal to kids of all ages! If you’re looking for a great summer read about dogs, the Children’s Department at the Bellingham Public Library has you covered, but we recommend supervising your dog if they’re “reading” your library books. As you can see from the photo, Basil LOVED Carl’s Christmas by Alexandra Day!
Film
Kanopy, a film streaming service that all library patrons can access for free, has a doggone lot of movies featuring canines and their humans. Log in to Kanopy and take a look at these selections!
Library Staff Recommends:
Isle of Dogs directed by Wes Anderson
“My favorite dog movie is definitely Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs. It’s very sweet and the art style and writing are whimsical and fun!” – Rosalie, Public Services Clerk
Library Staff Love Their Dogs
MAX & MAVIS
Max and Mavis belong to our newest Public Services Librarian, Liz! Max is a 70+ pound bulldog and Mavis is a mischievous lab mix.
GIZMO, JAVI, LADY AND FRANK
Javi, Gizmo and Lady live with Jenni, our Community Relations Specialist. Javi is a Miniature Pinscher/Dachsund mix, rescued from Mexico. Gizmo is a Treeing Walker Coonhound and Lady is a young and very energetic black Lab, both adopted from the Whatcom Humane Society. Frank is a Yorkie and is Jenni’s “granddog”. He doesn’t live with her, but comes for visits often!
TOBY
Toby lives with Rob, one of our fantastic Public Services Librarians. Toby is two years old and was rescued from Texas, through Three Little Pitties Rescue. He likes all food (except kale) and he dislikes fireworks.
DONNA AND SYLVIE
Donna, aka The Blonde Bomber or Schnesca, and Sylvie, aka Sylvareno or Reno, both live with Michelle, our Public Services Supervisor, who says, “Bath time = sad time”
EARL & BERT
Earl (grey and white) specializes in drooling on cats, pouting for cookies and unexpectedly biting with vicious little peg teeth.
Bert (black and tan) enjoys eating grass, belly scritches and will do anything you ask for Cheetos.
Earl and Bert live with Security Attendant, Dani, who says, “They are most like the dogs in Allie Brosh’s book: Solutions and other Problems. Found myself infinitely touched by some sections, but many times couldn’t stop laughing. Especially about her dogs. 5 stars.”
MURPHY
Murphy is another Whatcom Humane Society rescue who lives with Branch Library Specialist, Donna. He is a Mastiff/Rhodesian Ridgeback mix that is about 140 lbs of love and happiness! His favorite toys are large squeaky balls.
KIZZY
Kizzymoto Squidgasaurus, aka “Kizzy”, is a 5 ½ year old three-legged Frenchton (French Bulldog/Boston Terrier mix). She is the fastest gargoyle-faced tripod you’ll ever meet. She enjoys chasing rabbits (they ALWAYS get away), belly rubs, treats, “playing” with her cat sister Pip, naps, and being with her humans, including Teen Services Librarian Jennifer.
STELLA
Here is mild mannered Stella until……….snow (which makes her lose her mind). Stella lives with Dave, one of our stellar Library Assistants.
Local Events Go to the Dogs
Animal Emergency Care Educational Series
Coming soon to the Bellingham Public Library SkillShare Space: a free program series offered by animal welfare providers from Animal Emergency Care in Bellingham. The series will include the following topics: What Happens in an Emergency Veterinary Hospital?, Understanding the Costs of Veterinary Care, Ethical Considerations in Veterinary Care, The Human-Animal Bond, and Understanding Pet Insurance. Keep an eye on our online and print calendars for program dates beginning in September!
Dog Days of Summer Festival will be happening Sunday, August 28, 2022 from 11am – 3 pm at the Whatcom Humane Society. The festival will be on the 9 acre field behind the Division Street shelter. The Humane Society will host “a fantastic day of fun for dogs and their people featuring canine contests, games, pet themed vendors, food, fun and a PAWSOME day for human and dog attendees.”
Stunt Dog Experience at the Mount Baker Theatre
“Cheer on furry friends from animal rescues nationwide in big air acrobatics and athletic feats!” Chris Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience is coming to the Mount Baker Theatre November 3rd at 7pm. Visit the MBT website for more information and to purchase tickets!
Community Resources for Dogs
The Whatcom Humane Society has been in operation for over 100 years, and is committed to serving animals of all kinds that are in need. They operate 3 shelter facilities – a domestic animal shelter, a wildlife rehabilitation center and a farm facility. In addition to sheltering animals, WHS provides 24 hour a day animal control & rescue services for the majority of Whatcom County.
The Alternative Humane Society (AHS) is an all-volunteer nonprofit animal welfare organization serving Whatcom County. Because they have no shelter, office, or paid staff, 100% of the money they raise goes toward their programs. Volunteers foster dogs and cats in their own homes and work to find forever homes for animals in care.
Spay Neuter Northwest will be a spay neuter exclusive clinic located in Ferndale, and is on track to open in August of 2022. SNNW provides spay and neuter services to both public and non-profit rescue organizations, and according to their Facebook page, will work closely with select non-profit organizations to also provide financial assistance/voucher program to those who qualify.
Brigadoon provides trained service dogs for veterans, children, and adults with physical, developmental, and behavioral health disabilities to promote a more independent and enriched life. Brigadoon changes lives one partnership at a time by “Offering a Helping Paw”!
Phoebe says:
