We’re headed for the “dog days” of summer now that August has begun, but speaking of dogs, there are many that have inspired heart-felt, adventurous or even terrifying stories that have become classics over time. Dogs play a huge role in the lives of many humans and naturally have become a big part of our literature as well.

Here are a few books from the JMRL catalog that star these furry, domesticated creatures:

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein – A dog decides that when he dies and returns to earth as a man, he will model his behavior after his beloved owner, a race car driver.

Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World’s Worst Dog by John Grogan – Follows the life of an exuberant golden Labrador who gets into perpetual trouble and experiences a range of inspiring adventures, from comforting his human companions in the aftermath of a devastating miscarriage, to shutting down an entire beach, to guarding a seventeen-year-old neighbor in the aftermath of a stabbing attack.

A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron – Searching for his purpose over the course of multiple canine lives, Bailey is reborn as a golden-haired puppy after a tragic death as a stray and shares a loving bond with young Ethan before he again dies and starts over.

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls – Having purchased two dogs for fifty dollars, young Billy is determined to create the valley’s best hunting team.

The Call of the Wild by Jack London – Stolen from his life as a beloved pet, Buck must learn to adapt to abuse as a Klondike sled dog, to life with a loving master, John Thorton, and finally, when Thorton dies, to life in the wild as a leader of the wolf pack.