Non-fiction: Animal Stories - Christchurch City Libraries
From heroic rescue dogs, to lions in one’s flat, these unforgettable rescue, service, and companion animals change human lives forever. A Christchurch City Libraries list.
With a charming, conversational writing style, Brian Blessed recounts his encounters with animals over the course of his eclectically full life. The tales include equal measures of hilarity and sadness, as well as star dogs, cats, ducks,…
From an instinctive decision to buy a lion cub called Christian from Harrods, Anthony Bourke and John Rendall grew to understand that their ultimate desire to provide a stable, comfortable home for their wild new pet would eventually mean…
Suzanne Fincham-Gray presents an unvarnished look in to her veterinary journey, from her childhood on the English-Welsh border to private practice in the United States. Her account is filled with vignettes of the people and animals she…
A charming and intelligent street cat meets a recovering drug addict and street musician one night in an apartment block hallway. They form an incredible bond that sees them become a formidable performing duo on the streets of London. It…
Self-confessed animal devotee Steve Jenkins rescues an adorable teacup piglet. But as time goes by it becomes obvious that Esther is not destined to be quite so little. The challenging task of caring for a commercial pig in a domestic…
The overarching plot of Laurie Hess' memoir is the search to discover the source of a mystery ailment afflicting small exotic mammals across the country. She also speaks frankly about the struggle to find a healthy work-life balance in…
The heroic struggle to rehabilitate Sherman and give him his sense of purpose culminating in pack burro endurance running reveals how much he gives in return to those who help him and how humans bond with animals. Christopher McDougall,…
With dedication and devotion to their work, Ajax and Corey traverse the wild, rugged South Island high country in order to seek out the nationally endangered kea. This is a touching example of the strong connection between a working dog…
A warm-hearted collection of tales about the library cat who touched the lives of folk facing big challenges in small-town America during the financial crisis of the 1980s. After being deposited in a freezing library returns box one night,…
Hannah Russell has devoted herself to rescuing creatures in need of a little extra love and care since her early childhood. She has a particular passion for horses, especially those that are unusual and have had a tough start to life. When…
The humour of Michael Willis enlivens this collection of tales garnered from a life spent devoted to saving rare and endangered breeds in New Zealand. ‘Rescue’ chronicles Michael’s adventures as he sets up and develops a wildlife reserve…
The staggeringly uplifting tale of survival, derring-do and constancy. Judy, a stray puppy and ship's mascot cherished for her daring and bravery, is inseparable from her WWII servicemen family who protect her as she becomes the only…
Immerse yourself in the world of bird-watching with nature writer Rosamond Richardson as she takes you on her personal story to find the peace and stillness in the beauty of a pond over a solitary year. Richardson's poetic prose presents…
After the death of her father Helen Macdonald dives into the art of Falconry to process her grief. Fulfilling a childhood dream, she adopts a wild goshawk called Mabel and sets about taming it. Her struggle to find a way through loss…
