Down Girl and Sit protect their masters from the cat next door

Two canines have a ball trying to train their masters

Researched, Clever as a Fox will challenge your previously held notions about animals and the measure of intelligence, both theirs and ours.

Even for a woman as sensitive to wild animals as Grace 1Spruch, the arrival of a squirrel inside her Greenwich Village apartment one morning came as something of a surprise. She had always loved the squirrels she saw in Washington Square Park, but she never met one so forward as the one climbing up her rubber plant. Dr. Spruch didn't know it then, but this was the beginning of a strange and wonderful relationship. Gradually, other squirrels began to climb the fire escape to the Spruchs' fifth-story window. All were welcomed -- with certain restrictions, of course. There were regular office hours, and the squirrels soon learned not to scratch at the window until given the signal -- stirring within the apartment. Some were bold about walking right into the house, examining the Spruchs' possessions, and burying their nuts under pillows. One categorically refused to leave at closing time, even when rudely chased. Others, more retiring, were content to munch nuts and fruits on the windowsill. Since Spruch is a scientist as well as an animal lover, her observations gain a special force and precision, and she manages to achieve the best kind of popular science writing: scientifically sound, carefully observed, intellectually challenging. Despite our familiarity with squirrels as part of the urban landscape, surprisingly little is known about the habits of these creatures, and Spruch is able to make some interesting contributions to this subject. But most of all, this is a book for animal lovers -- a loving, yet unsentimental account of a fascinating episode in the natural history of a large city.

The perfect gift for dog lovers and readers of Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz—this New York Times bestseller offers mesmerizing insights into the thoughts and lives of our smartest and most beloved pets. Does your dog feel guilt? Is she pretending she can't hear you? Does she want affection—or just your sandwich? In their New York Times bestselling book Th­e Genius of Dogs, husband and wife team Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods lay out landmark discoveries from the Duke Canine Cognition Center and other research facilities around the world to reveal how your dog thinks and how we humans can have even deeper relationships with our best four-legged friends. Breakthroughs in cognitive science have proven dogs have a kind of genius for getting along with people that is unique in the animal kingdom. This dog genius revolution is transforming how we live and work with dogs of all breeds, and what it means for you in your daily life with your canine friend.

Grampa's menagerie of pets are rubbed the wrong way when a needy little critter arrives in this lighthearted chapter book. Grampa Bender wouldn't be able to run the Bed and Biscuit animal boardinghouse without the help of Ernest the pig, Gabby the mynah bird, and Milly the cat. In fact, the three animals have always thought of themselves as Grampa's family — and they assumed he felt the same way. But when Grampa comes home with a mysterious bundle and stops paying attention to his loyal companions, they start to question his affections. Engaging illustrations by Noah Z. Jones, capturing every endearing trait of this oddball family, complement Joan Carris's humorous, heartwarming book for middle-grade readers.