Baghdad Pups

Bearport’s very appealing Dog Heroes series continues with three more engaging titles. Of course, the dogs are cute, but the text, photos, and striking book design all convey the businesslike attitude of these canines and the people who work with them. Each title introduces four or five dogs by name, such as Tucker the Lab, whose job is to lean over the side of a boat sniffing for orca scat. As you might expect with such a deep series (20 titles in all), the information is surprising and fresh and explores dog jobs far beyond the usual seeing-eye variety. Baghdad Pups focuses less on the work of dogs, covering instead the relationships built with soldiers as well as the work done by organizations to help soldiers bring the dogs back to the U.S. Eco Dogs explores the varied tasks done by dogs in the field with scientists, from sniffing out pythons in a swamp to discovering seals’ breathing holes in the Arctic. Prison Puppies looks at the Puppies behind Bars program, where inmates train puppies for jobs such as service animals or bomb sniffers. With solid back matter, these will entice dog-loving reluctant readers and bring up interesting career options for kids, too.

Baghdad Pups explores how a special division of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International (SPCAI) has been rescuing dogs who have befriended service people in Iraq, despite the clear disapproval of the United States military, which has strict laws about removing property, including animals, from war zones. In Prison Puppies, readers learn about the “Puppies Behind Bars” program, where inmates train dogs for careers as service animals. While the future work duties of the dogs are evident, the real story here is how they give the inmates an opportunity to contribute to society in a positive way. Eco dogs help scientists by sniffing out scat, which is analyzed for signs of pollutants or changes in the food chain that might have harmful effects on the environment and on indigenous species. These books are engaging not just because the content is so compelling, but also because the authors have highlighted specific dogs currently working in their fields. The use of real names and full-color photographs on every page, many contributed by the individuals who work with these dogs, makes reading these books a personal experience. A “Just the Facts” page at the end of each volume provides additional details. Excellent introductions to these new developments in service-dog training.

Bearport’s very appealing Dog Heroes series continues with three more engaging titles. Of course, the dogs are cute, but the text, photos, and striking book design all convey the businesslike attitude of these canines and the people who work with them. Each title introduces four or five dogs by name, such as Tucker the Lab, whose job is to lean over the side of a boat sniffing for orca scat. As you might expect with such a deep series (20 titles in all), the information is surprising and fresh and explores dog jobs far beyond the usual seeing-eye variety. Baghdad Pups focuses less on the work of dogs, covering instead the relationships built with soldiers as well as the work done by organizations to help soldiers bring the dogs back to the U.S. Eco Dogs explores the varied tasks done by dogs in the field with scientists, from sniffing out pythons in a swamp to discovering seals’ breathing holes in the Arctic. Prison Puppies looks at the Puppies behind Bars program, where inmates train puppies for jobs such as service animals or bomb sniffers. With solid back matter, these will entice dog-loving reluctant readers and bring up interesting career options for kids, too.