Picked by K-9 Rescue fans

Here are 4 books that K-9 Rescue fans have personally recommended once you finish the K-9 Rescue series. Book DNA is a community of authors and super-readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

Book cover of The Adventures of Penny the Famous Three Legged Dog

Diane Kelly Author Of Paw Enforcement

From my list on doggedly determined dogs undaunted by disability.

Why am I passionate about this?

Being “mommy” to a deaf dog has taught me so much about canine disabilities, and how intelligent and capable dogs can be despite their limitations. I enjoy reading about other people who have gone through similar experiences with their dogs. These animals don’t let their disabilities stop them from leading full, fun lives. With their determination and positive attitudes, disabled dogs make wonderful role models!

Diane's book list on doggedly determined dogs undaunted by disability

Diane Kelly Why Diane loves this book

This book is written from the dog’s point of view, is intended for children, and is clearly a labor of love by the author as a tribute to her Jack Russell terrier, Penny. The poor dog had a difficult start in life. She was the runt of the litter and born with dental problems. She initially lived in the country, became ensnared in a claw trap, and had to chew her leg off to escape. When her owner married someone with a larger dog who did not take kindly to Penny, finding a new home became necessary. Luckily, the author took her in and clearly adores her. The photos were cute and amusing, and it was uplifting that Penny found a good friend in Tansy, the author’s other dog. 

By Joan Betzold , Kathy Kupka (illustrator) ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Adventures of Penny the Famous Three Legged Dog as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This is the story of Penny, a Jack Russell Terrier, which became handicapped as a young dog. Faced with mounting adversities and through a stroke of luck, she was adopted by a woman that had professional expertise with special needs individuals. Through the love and support of her new "Mom", Penny learns to take on the challenges of everyday life with handicaps and learns to enrich others lives as well as her own, while being an inspiration to all that meet her.


Book cover of Hogan's Hope: A Deaf Hero's Inspirational Quest for Love and Acceptance

Diane Kelly Author Of Paw Enforcement

From my list on doggedly determined dogs undaunted by disability.

Why am I passionate about this?

Being “mommy” to a deaf dog has taught me so much about canine disabilities, and how intelligent and capable dogs can be despite their limitations. I enjoy reading about other people who have gone through similar experiences with their dogs. These animals don’t let their disabilities stop them from leading full, fun lives. With their determination and positive attitudes, disabled dogs make wonderful role models!

Diane's book list on doggedly determined dogs undaunted by disability

Diane Kelly Why Diane loves this book

I was initially drawn to this book because it features a deaf Dalmatian. My dog Reggie is also deaf and likely part Dalmatian, given her white fur and black spots. She was found as a stray puppy and taken to the city animal shelter where we adopted her. We think Reggie is also part American bull terrier. She has a very similar build to that breed, with a barrel chest, pointy ears, and distinctive eye shape. Like the author of the book, I communicate with my deaf dog using hand signals. A deaf dog learns to pay close attention, and Reggie can communicate with amazing nuance. I loved how the book portrays the relationship between a dog and its guardian as a spiritual bond. I found that aspect extremely relatable. 

By Connie Bombaci ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Hogan's Hope as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Gain the inspiration to hope, no matter what the circumstance, from a deaf dog’s courage to overcome the challenges, prejudices, and death sentences plaguing deaf dogs. Hogan’s heartwarming story teaches us never to give up and reveals to everyone that choosing hope can make anything possible!


Book cover of Suspect

Neil Plakcy Author Of In Dog We Trust

From my list on crime-solving dogs.

Why am I passionate about this?

When I met my husband, he had two dogs—Gus the collie and Charlie the Yorkie. When the collie crossed the rainbow bridge, we brought another big dog into the household—a golden retriever. Charlie let Sam know that my husband was HIS human, and Sam could have me if he wanted. That began a beautiful twelve-year love affair. I knew I had to write about the relationship between man and dog, and chose the mystery novel as my framework. I spend hours every day researching my books – walking my current goldens, Brody and Griffin; feeding them; grooming them; playing with them; and observing how they interact with the world.

Neil's book list on crime-solving dogs

Neil Plakcy Why Neil loves this book

I’ve been a fan of Crais’s Elvis & Joe series for years, so I was delighted to see that he brought a dog into a new series as a main character. Another book with traumatized characters, this one demonstrates the redemptive power of canine love.

LAPD officer Scott James is recovering from an assault in which his partner was killed, and he almost lost his life. He’s barely fit to return to duty until he’s paired with his new partner Maggie, a bomb-sniffing German shepherd that lost her handler in Afghanistan. Their partnership offers healing for both, and I love this book and A Borrowing of Bones because they reflect redemption.

By Robert Crais ,

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked Suspect as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

LAPD cop Scott James is not doing so well. Eight months ago, a shocking late-night assault by unidentified men killed his partner Stephanie, nearly killed him, and left him enraged, ashamed, and ready to explode. He is unfit for duty - until he meets his new partner.

Maggie is not doing so well, either. A German shepherd who survived three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan sniffing out explosives before losing her handler to an IED.

They are each other's last chance. Shunned and shunted to the side, they set out to investigate the one case that no one wants them…


Book cover of Piglet: The Unexpected Story of a Deaf, Blind, Pink Puppy and His Family

Diane Kelly Author Of Paw Enforcement

From my list on doggedly determined dogs undaunted by disability.

Why am I passionate about this?

Being “mommy” to a deaf dog has taught me so much about canine disabilities, and how intelligent and capable dogs can be despite their limitations. I enjoy reading about other people who have gone through similar experiences with their dogs. These animals don’t let their disabilities stop them from leading full, fun lives. With their determination and positive attitudes, disabled dogs make wonderful role models!

Diane's book list on doggedly determined dogs undaunted by disability

Diane Kelly Why Diane loves this book

Knowing I have a deaf dog, a reader sent me this non-fiction book, thinking I’d enjoy it. She was right! The author is very open and honest about the challenges she faced taking on a dog who was not only deaf but also blind. It was incredibly heartwarming to see Piglet grow from a fearful pup into an icon who inspires schoolchildren - and adults! - to adopt a can-do attitude. I liked that the author raised issues of animal welfare in the book, including the unfair treatment of animals used for medical experiments as disposable equipment and the horrific treatment of animals in factory farming. The book addresses many aspects of the human relationship to other creatures, and what we owe to animals who are at our mercy. 

By Melissa Shapiro , MIM Eichler Rivas ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Piglet as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In the tradition of the beloved New York Times bestsellers Marley and Me and Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love, "a beautiful, inspiring" (Laura Schroff, New York Times bestselling author) memoir about empathy, resilience, kindness, and an adorable deaf blind pink dog.

When veterinarian Melissa Shapiro gets a call about a tiny deaf blind puppy rescued from a hoarding situation in need of fostering, she doesn't hesitate to say, "yes." Little does she know how that decision will transform her, her family, and legions of admirers destined to embrace the saga of the indomitable pink "puppy with a…