Posted on April 16, 2021 at 1:26 PM by Genesis Gaule
“Dogs are not our whole life,
but they make our lives whole.”
— Roger Caras
Since I was little I wanted a dog. I thought they were fluffy, cute, and that I could play fetch with them whenever I wanted. But we were always a cat family. We had two cats while I was growing up in Spokane, Washington, and a couple of fish, but I always wanted a dog. My parents wanted a dog too but didn’t want to deal with a big dog or have more animal fur than we already had throughout the house. So great, I thought, we just need to find a small dog that doesn’t shed. Turns out that was easier said than done. We searched but couldn’t find the right one for my family.
In 2017, my family moved to East Grand Forks. We loved it here, we were able to start again in a new city and make new friends. After one month of living here, my dad nonchalantly asked my siblings and me if we wanted to go down to Fargo to get a dog. We all looked at him stunned, not believing our ears. We hurried into the car and drove down to Fargo.
That night we got our dog Lily Skull-Crusher Thunder-Fist James (Yes, that is her real name. My dad wanted to make her sound tough despite how little she was).
Lily was the best dog I could have hoped for. She was so fluffy and cute, even though she didn’t know how to fetch just yet. Lily has so much energy that I wonder how she contains it within her small frame without exploding. My favorite thing about having a dog is being greeted at the door when I come home. When Lily hears the garage door open, she sprints to the door and attacks whoever is coming in with loves and licks. If she weren’t a dog, I could imagine she would be saying, “I love you! I love you! I love you!” Her energy and love bring me joy and she makes our lives whole.
That was the story of my dog Lily. If you want to read more about loving dogs, try these books:
 Old Yeller
by Fred Gipson
Junior GIP // At first, Travis couldn't stand the sight of Old Yeller. The stray dog was ugly, and a thieving rascal, too. But he sure was clever, and a smart dog could be a big help on the wild Texas frontier. Strong and courageous, Old Yeller proved that he could protect Travis's family from any sort of danger. But can Travis do the same for Old Yeller?
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One Good Dog
by Susan Wilson
Fiction WILSON // Chance is a mixed breed Pit Bull who was born and raised to fight and seldom leaves the dirty basement where he is kept between them. But Chance is not a monster. It is Chance’s unique spirit that helps him escape and puts him in the path of Adam. What transpires is the story of one man, one dog, and how they save each other—in ways they never could have expected.
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Harry the Dirty Dog
by Gene Zion
Easy Reader Green ZION // There's never been another dog as delightful–or dirty–as Harry. This lovable white dog with black spots (or black dog with white spots) has charmed children for fifty years, and we are celebrating with an anniversary edition. This childhood favorite is perfect for reading aloud before going to bed or avoiding a bath.
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The Day My Dogs Became Guys
by Merrill Markoe
Easy MAR // Carey has three ordinary, lovable dogs. Until one day, during a solar eclipse, he finds three pretty strange people who used to be his pets. Butch starts chasing cars and yelling at the squirrels, while DeeDee begins raiding the refrigerator. Ol Ed seems to just want to take a nap. But what will happen when his mother gets home?
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