Light hearted, animal related, autobiographical books

[BestIsWest]

I’m looking for recommendations for my DM who is currently in hospital and has short term memory issues. She used to be a great reader but hasn’t read anything much for a few years until the hospital stay and she’s beginning to show a bit of interest in reading again.

She’s just finished and thoroughly enjoyed Nigel - Monty Don and is loving Paul O’Grady’s Country Life. Any ideas for something similar would be appreciated.

James Herriot is the obvious one but I know she’s read them all.

Good point. I might take a James Herriot in as I have them here. I’m not averse to re-reading myself as I can never remember books but DM was never one for doing that in the past.

An old one but a good one is Emma and I about a blind woman and her guide dog ❤️

@Missey85 oh wow, childhood memory unlocked! I loved the Emma books. I wanted a chocolate Labrador for so long!

@BestIsWest - I thought of another. Kym, by Joyce Stranger. About a VERY loud and opinionated Siamese cat. This one is a true story but Joyce also wrote a lot of animal themed books.

For anyone who enjoys listening to ‘autobiographical animal stories’ there was a fabulous 30minute story on Radio 4 at 11.30pm Thursday 17th April…about a chiwouwa living in Paris…I thoroughly recommend it!

Raising Hare is a newish book and lovely. Memoir about finding and rescuing a newborn hare. Takes place in the English countryside during covid.

West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge. It's a novel based on a true story about a man who drove two giraffes across the USA to San Diego Zoo.

Brian Blessed wrote a great memoir about his love for animals. And Ted Hughes’ daughter also wrote a very good book about raising a magpie.

We used to have a Siamese who I named Kym after reading that book. He was very opinionated too, typical Siamese.
There was also a series about cats by another author. One was called Cats In The Belfry.

Just googled and Doreen Tovey was the Cats In The Belfry author.
James Middleton, Kate’s brother, has written one too about his dog Ella helping him with his mental health.

Definitely James Herriot! Love those. Also Gerry Durrell’s My Family and other Animals as mentioned here.

Sorry, just realised a pp had already suggested Doreen Tovey.
The Yorkshire Shepherdess has written a series and googling those came up with one by the Yorkshire vet too.

Anyone mentioned Born Free by Joy Adamson about Elsa the Lioness?

Another older series of books if she hasn't read them is Derek Tangye's Minack Chronicles.

This is right up my street!
I must try remember to check my list tomorrow now!