Animal memorials are nothing new. The Egyptians mummified their dogs, while the Victorians held funeral services for them. Today, there are even virtual pet cemeteries for those who chose to celebrate their loss online.

When Laurel Hunt, the editor of "Angel Pawprints" lost her two beloved dogs, Marmaduke and Molly, within seven weeks of each other, she began to collect the text from various pet memorials. Her book, an affecting collection of short stories, poetry and photographs, is the perfect way to express regrets about a close one's loss of a dog. For, as many of the writings make clear, many dog owners don't find as much support as they need during their hour of grief.

Many of the offerings are touching in their simplicity, like the poem by Hilton Brown for Hamish, his Scotch Terrier: "Spread the turf on him light and level; Grave him a headstone clear and true-; 'Here lies Hamish, the little Black Devil,' and half the heart of his mistress too." Others make no apology for their sentimentality. As Henry Willett wrote in 1916, "So let the cynic snarl or smile; and his great intellect beguile; My little dog, so true to me; Will dear to heart and memory be."
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Many an urbanite will wince at the prospect of reading the "Chicken Soup" books, having heard about their syrupy tone. And it's true-these collections of inspirational short stories are strictly of the Hallmark variety. Each formulaic story comes down the assembly line with the same bells and whistles. But for those who prefer their animal tales schmaltzy and sentimental, these tales will hit the spot. (Of course, vegetarian readers will note the incongruity of calling a book for animal lovers, "Chicken Soup" for anything.)

Meet Lucy, the white German shepherd mix who saves her owners' marriage. And Dolly, the pearl cockatiel, who serves as a divine sign that a child with leukemia will be healed. And Brownie, a canine who howls outside of the church each Sunday for his organist-owner. A typical "Chicken Soup" story ends: "Our charming, nose-nipping cat was gone, but now Starry, the Christmas angel, would be part of our family tradition for years to come. Sometimes you can make your own miracles." More than 48 million "Chicken Soup" books have been sold so far; surely there must be someone who will admit to owning one. Soupers, reveal yourselves and walk proud!
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To paraphrase the famous Watergate question, what do animals know and when do they know it? In his first book, George Page, the creator and host of the award-winning PBS series "Nature," presents a lively, accessible survey of the field of animal intelligence. Drawing on everything from Descartes to his childhood pet, Lassie (whose name, says Page, was "a burst of great originality about which I was not the least bit embarrassed"), he helps the reader ponder the big questions regarding animal cognition.

Page makes it clear why these questions matter. "If we believe, or better yet, determine that animals think consciously and possess the full range of 'human' emotions," he writes, "if their pain is therefore also 'suffering'-on what ethical grounds do we support, for just one example, the marine theme parks, whose performing cetaceans are, in the final analysis, enslaved in what are to them puddles?" Likewise, says Page, we have a harder time justifying animal experimentation or eating meat. (Or, as writer Rupert Sheldrake puts it, dividing the animal world into pets and pet food.)

Reading this title, some pet owners will wince. What's next - a Twelve-Step program for dogs and cats? Not to worry. Steve Duno's smart, crisply written book will be useful to owners fighting the battle of the bulge on behalf of their pets. Duno, an animal behaviorist, claims that over 25 percent of all domestic canines and felines in the U.S. are significantly overweight. The reason? Too much food, coupled with too little exercise, the same reason that there's a epidemic of obesity in the human population.

The problem is a real one, says Duno: "These millions of beloved pets will live shorter lives and be prone to a host of disorders and diseases ranging from hip, back, shoulder, knee, and foot problems to hypertension, stroke, increased risk of cancer, diabetes, liver and kidney dysfunction, heat exhaustion, respiratory difficulties and heart disease."

Duno urges owners to reevaluate their feeding habits. "Let's face it: Your dog or cat does not whip herself up a big meal whenever she's hungry," he says. Leaving food around all day can promote unwanted pounds. Also, those loving little snacks and treats are a killer, when added up. And get off the couch, pooch potatoes; "People or pets who exercise on a regular basis become more confident, happy, and psychologically sound than those who never lift a finger." Or a paw.
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