I’ll admit it: Dogs are my weakness. It wasn’t always this way. But  I have a boy who needed a dog. So, about three years ago, we went on Petfinder and brought one home from a shelter. Okay, first there were several years of pleading and cajoling. The point is, it wasn’t my dog. Ha!

Fast forward: There are people in my home who contend that said dog is  my favorite child. There are people in my home who contend that said dog disdains dog treats because someone has spoiled him with steak tidbits. There are even people in my home who contend that said dog, whose name is Pierre, does not in fact require a cute red raincoat. I digress. Here are four books that hit me right in the soft spot.

1. Little Boy Blue: A Puppy’s Rescue from Death Row and His Owner’s Journey for Truth by Kim Kavin

Journalist Kavin traced her own rescue puppy’s route from a high-kill shelter where he was days from being euthanized. Kavin writes compellingly about the horrors of some shelters—and about the rescue networks working to save dogs. A portion of the proceeds got to Petfinder.com

2. Broadway Tails: Heartfelt Stories of Rescued Dogs Who Became Showbiz Stars by Bill Berloni

An animal trainer, Berloni  didn’t just rescue his four-legged friends—he took them to Broadway, where they starred in shows including Annie, The Wizard of Oz, and Because of Winn-Dixie. The pictures alone are worth a round of applause.

3. You Had Me at Woof:  How Dogs Taught Me the Secrets of Happiness by Julie Klam

This is one woman’s funny, irresistible account of how rescuing a Boston terrier transformed her life and taught her relationships skills.  Now married with a daughter, Klam continues to rescue idiosyncratic canines.

4. The Dogs Who Found Me: What I’ve Learned from Pets Who Were Left Behind by Ken Foster

Fiction writer Foster saves strays in New Orleans, but he’d tell you they save him.

Warning: Reading these books  puts you at risk for becoming a dogaholic.