Dog Heroes: Fire Dogs. By Donna Latham. Bearport Pub. Co., 2006. 32 pages. Publisher's summary: Describes how dogs can help catch criminals when working with an arson investigation K-9 unit. ASPCA Henry Bergh Humane Heroes Award. Nonfiction photo-essay. Interest level: Grades 4-6.

Dog Heroes: Water Rescue Dogs. By Frances E. Ruffin. Bearport Pub. Co., 2006. 32 pages. Publisher's summary: Describes how dogs rescue people from various water-related emergencies. ASPCA Henry Bergh Humane Heroes Award. Nonfiction photo-essay. Interest level: Grades 4-6.

Dolores and the Big Fire: a True Story, Written by Andrew Clements. Illustrated by Ellen Beier. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2002. 32 pages. Publisher Summary: Offers the true story of the brave cat Dolores who alerted her owner, Kyle, of the fire burning in their home that led to his safe escape. Nonfiction. Interest level: Gr. 1-4.

The Late Loon. Written and illustrated by Dean Bennett. Down East Books, 2006. 44 pages. Jasper the beagle and his guardians watch a late-hatched loon chick grow through his first season on a northern Maine lake. Jasper saves the young loon a number of times in this suspenseful story based on an actual event. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Grades 2-6.

Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival. Written by Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery. Illustrated by Jean Cassels. Walker and Co., 2008. unpaged. Bobbi and Bob Cat, abandoned during the New Orleans hurricane evacuations, wandered the streets in search of food together, surviving against all odds. And after four long months on their own, the heroic young dog and blind cat, were rescued by Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and placed together in a forever home. The realistic illustrations capture the post hurricane difficulties that so many surviving animals faced without being overly harsh. An afterword provides a photo of the real-life Bobbi and Bob Cat. This important book pays tribute to the many animals who were left behind and to every animal rescue person who helped them. A well told story with a happy ending. Nonfiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. 1-3.

Animal Hero Lesson:

Grades 4-5: Animal Compassion from the United Federation of Teachers. How animals are capable of helping each other and humans in need.

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It often happens that a man is more humanely related to a cat or dog than to any human being.  ~ Henry David Thoreau

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