Today is National Pet Day! That means it’s time to shower your pets with extra love and spoil them with treats. It’s also a chance for us to cherish their company, as they certainly make a great addition to our lives.
As an animal lover and cat owner (hi Roma!), I was thrilled at the idea of looking for pet-related throwbacks. My search in the Archive led me to discover a surprise Clifford appearance in a book, and an entire series about different pets, among other cool finds. Give your furry (or scaly) buddy a hug and check out the books below.
Of course, we have to start off with our favorite big red dog:
Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell, 1963
I’m Elizabeth and I have a dog.
My dog is a big red dog.
How to Care for Your Dog by Jean Bethell, illustrated by Norman Bridwell, 1964
Do you know what to do when I catch cold and sneeze?
When I bark too much or have too many fleas?
Read this book and take care of me—please!
Does the red dog on the cover look familiar? It’s because Norman Bridwell, the author of the Clifford the Big Red Dog series illustrated this book!
101 Pet Jokes by Phil Hirsch with Hope Hirsch, 1980
This harebrained litter of laughs will make you want to break out in giggles—and you’ll keep grr-inning right from the beginning, all the way to the furry end!
Living With Pets: Getting the Best Out of You Dog, Cat, Bird, or Boa by Barbara Hazen and David Gantz, 1981
Is your dog a babbler? Does he wear an apron?
Is your cat a rag doll or a rex?
This may sound like nonsense, but it isn’t if you’re a dog or cat owner!
Animal Inn #5: Adopt-a-Pet by Virginia Vail, 1987
Pets for sale.
Val is horrified when the Essex Humane Society Animal Shelter burns down. Not only are a lot of animals injured, but they’re truly homeless.
The Baby-sitters Club #22: Jessi Ramsey, Pet-sitter by Ann M. Martin, 1989
The Mancusis don’t have any kids…but they sure have a lot of pets! So when they’re desperate for a sitter, whom do they call? The Baby-sitters Club!
Animal Inn #8: Petnapped! by Virginia Vail, 1990
There’s a petnapper on the loose!
Is Essex safe anymore? First it was Ludwig, Miss Maggie’s German shepherd, then it was Puffin, Mrs. Van Fleet’s Himalayan cat. Pets are disappearing one by one.
Animal Inn #9: One Dog Too Many by Virginia Vail, 1990
There’s always room for one more!
Val didn’t expect the other pets to get upset when she brought home another stray.
Special thanks to Gina Asprocolas, and Scholastic Librarians Deimosa Webber-Bey and Chelsea Fritz for their help with this series!
Raisa Masood
