There are two camps of people: pet-lovers and pet-haters. And among pet-lovers, we all know that cats are the superior species.

[Back again. Some tidying up to do after numerous dog-lover tackles. You know who you are.]

For the pet-lovers among us, even you dog people, this post is for you. It's filled with books about the incredible bonds we can have with animals, and about the myriad ways dogs, horses, and on admittedly rare occasions, cats, can heal us and make us better people.

*****

The Dog and I, by Roy MacGregor: From Canada’s beloved award-winning journalist and bestselling author comes a collection of essays, new and previously published, on man’s best friend. In the course of 20 years of column writing about everything from politics to hockey and everything in between, Roy MacGregor has learned firsthand that the columns with the greatest reader impact have been those about the family dog. Roy has collected these columns and written many more on everything from puppy love to the sorrow of losing a pet, as experienced by Roy and the dogs he’s known and loved.

Riding Home, by Tim Hayes: Something quite extraordinary has been discovered about the ability of horses to help humans. Men and women afflicted with severe emotional damage are healing and making dramatic recoveries by receiving the simple love, understanding and acceptance that comes from establishing a relationship with a horse. Riding Home explains why horses have this remarkable ability to heal and transform people who are emotionally wounded, whether they be troubled teens, prison inmates or war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. It offers a powerful argument for the expansion of equine programs that accomplish what many institutional organizations that use traditional psychotherapy and pharmaceutical medication have often been unable to achieve.

The Newfoundland Dog, by Robert C. Parsons: One of Newfoundland and Labrador’s best-known authors delights readers with this brand new collection of more than 50 true stories involving one of nature’s treasures: the noble Newfoundland dog. From the deck of the Titanic, to the sandbars of Sable Island, learn about the breed’s intelligence and charisma as you read tales from around the world of rescue by land and sea, heartwarming stories of undying loyalty, and accounts of the Newfoundland dog risking its own life to save others. Known worldwide as being one of the most courageous, friendly, and protective breeds on earth, the Newfoundland dog has also become one of the most beloved. Dog lovers and story lovers alike will find this book, beautifully illustrated by Mel D’Souza, to be man’s second-best friend!

Amazing Dogs, by Lisa Wojna: From saving children to protecting soldiers on the front lines, dogs' feats of empathy and loyalty are detailed in these stories.

To the Dogs, by Peter Culley: The history of the relationship between canines and humans is more complex than one would think. From Sparta to Stalingrad, the dogs of war, cleanup, guard duty, and companionship have been at our side; their loyalty knows no bounds, whether they are beloved pets or guardians of riot police or unsavoury fight fans. From companion to full-fledged member of the tribe, the dog has irrevocably moved into our homes, hearts and minds to such an extent that the boundaries between "owner" and "pet" have dissolved.

The historical and contemporary photographs of To the Dogs explore this human-canine connection in ways that are alternately surprising, endearing, disturbing, and beautiful. The images range from William Wegman, Larry Towell, and Eadweard Muybridge to depictions of local dog shows, a Moscow circus, a dogfight in Sarajevo, and a dog hotel in Japan. A major essay by the poet Peter Culley explores the international citizenry of dogs, and why they can tell us more about ourselves and our culture than we care to admit.

Animal Talk, by Joyce Grant-Smith: A police dog helps take down criminals and searches for lost children. A cat defies odds and distance to be reunited with its family. A lion cub blissfully shares a kitchen with a family and a few pugs. These true stories and more are collected in this inspiring book by Joyce Grant-Smith. These tales show us the breadth and width of an animal's ability to communicate with each other, and us with them. Primarily rooted in the Maritimes, there are 18 stories in total, and each is written in a heartwarming style reminiscent of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and will be a pleasant and uplifting read for all ages.

Learning the Secret Language of Cats, by Dr. Carol Teed: Because dogs help people and cats help themselves, we are not surprised that there is a book devoted to helping humans talk cat.

Amazing Cats, by Omar Mouallem: Speaking of language, what is the cat on this cover trying to say do you think? Something heartwarming, for sure. Wait ... the book description says there's a story about Lewis the cat, who was placed under permanent house arrest after biting and scratching six neighbours. I think we know who got the cover.