NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER In this moving memoir, Danielle Steel tells the story of how she met a dog the size of a mouse with a personality that could light up an entire room. From Minnie’s arrival at home in San Francisco to clothes-shopping jaunts in Paris, her adventures provide the perfect backdrop for a heartfelt look at the magic that dogs bring to our lives, and how they become part of the family, making indelible memories. We meet Steel’s childhood pug, James; and Elmer, the basset hound who was steadfastly at her side in her struggling days as a young writer; Sweet Pea—unveiled in a Tiffany box for a dog-loving husband—and all those lucky dogs who shared a household of nine children, other canines, and one potbellied pig. As she reflects on the beloved pets who have brought joy, and sometimes chaos, to her home through the years, Steel also shares her thoughts on the trials and tribulations of bringing a new dog into a household, the challenges of housebreaking and compatibility, the losses we feel forever. Filled with colorful characters (human and otherwise), delightful photographs, practical wisdom drawn from long experience, and brimming with warmth and insight on every page, Pure Joy is a love letter to this special relationship—and one of the most charming books yet from the incomparable Danielle Steel. Praise for Pure Joy “The mega-selling [Danielle Steel] shares happy memories of her numerous dogs. . . . Steel brings readers into her life, recounting delightful moments with her many dogs, the dogs her children have owned, and her newest friend, Minnie, her tiny Chihuahua. . . . Plainly told with honesty and affection, these stories are an affirmation of the timeless connection between humans and their canine companions.”—Kirkus Reviews “Steel doesn’t just love to write blockbusters; she loves dogs. Here’s her valentine to all the dogs she’s raised (looking to be mostly of the small sort), with lots of black-and-white photos throughout. A heady commercial combo.”—Library Journal

A collection of anecdotes from such authors as Edward Albee, Ann Beattie, and Armistead Maupin pays tribute to the the companionship of dogs.

For anyone who has worried that being beguiled by puppy love might lead only to a short-lived dalliance, Stanley Coren provides the ultimate matchmaking service. Combining his expertise in human psychology and animal behaviour with the research of other animal experts, Coren classifies dogs according to such personality traits as friendliness, protectiveness, and steadiness. To discover which dogs will suit them best, readers take simple personality tests that reveal what they are looking for in a relationship. Extroverted men, for example, may be surprised to find that poodles make the ideal companions; shy women are likely to prefer the company of a bulldog; and men lacking trust might consider an independent Shar-Pei. Stories about people and their four-legged best friends - and a gallery of photographs - capture the special dynamics between couples ranging from Freud and his Chow-Chow to Picasso and his Afghan hound.