Every time I read the book The Call of the Wild, my dog Kringle knows to snuggle up close to me and make sure he has tissues handy. Two of my favorite things are books and dogs.I have been reading and telling dog stories ever since I can remember. For summer reading, Kringle and I have a ritual. I go to my bookshelf and select three books from the stack of all my time favorite dog books.
If you haven’t yet discovered to joy of reading aloud to a dog, try it. Dogs love a good story. Here are some of our favorites from our special bookshelf.
1) The Call of the Wild – Jack London
The story of Buck is my favorite book of all time and has been for as long as can remember. Written in 1903 , this is a tale of love, loyalty, survival and redemption. Buck is a domesticated dog who was sold into service as a sled dog in Alaska. The Call of the Wild has been called the greatest dog story ever written. It has my vote.
2) White Fang– Jack London
Yes, Kringle and I are Jack London fans. White Fang also sits in a place of honor on my book shel and in my heart. London is a vivid storyteller and and White Fang’s story is etched in my heart. was written as a companion story to the Call of the Wild. Both of London’s book take place in the Yukon and make great reads for Kringle and I as we cool off together in the sizzling hot Texas summer.
3) James Herriots’ Dog Stories– James Herriot
This book contains James Herriot unforgettable, true stories of his experience serving as veterinarian to Yorkshire country dogs. It’s filled with heartwarming, funny and poignant descriptions of memorable dogs and their people.
4) Go Dog Go! – P.D. Eastman
Kids and dogs love this book with its simple, rhythmic vocabulary and a colorful cast of dogs traveling by cars, scooters, and trees. Junior, my therapy dog and reading assistance dog used to read this book to children in libraries and reading programs. It was a big hit with the kids, and I discovered my reading dog colleague also loved it. Now I read it to Kringle, and he puts his paw down, with my ”paw-stay” command to hold our place on the page as we pause to discuss the action.
5) How Kringle Got Rescued and Found His Forever Home
This story is Kringle’s favorite. It’s written in our hearts, and we tell it over and over again.
Copyright 2026, Jill Lenk Schilp, All rights reserved
Jill Schilp Writes: Where Every Dog Has a Story 