For your animal-loving friends and relatives, here are ten newer books to consider for your holiday gift list

It’s pet books for the holidays, here are some picks:

            “The Christmas Dog Book” and “The Christmas Cat Book,” both by Margaret Denk (Red Rock Press, New York, NY, 2006; $9.95). Small stocking stuffer books depict respectively the history of dog and cat Christmas cards. Aside from checking out these classic cards, reading these books is actually quite interesting. For example, early Christmas cards with cats always depicted even the cutest kitties outdoors because they were only starting to be accepted as indoor pets. Interesting that children are almost always in vintage holiday cards with dogs.

            “From Baghdad With Love,” by Lieutenant Colonel Jay Kopelman with Melinda Roth (The Lyons Press, Guilford, CT, 2006; $22.95). The First Battalion, Third Marine Regiment from Hawaii had been going from house to house in Fallujah,Iraq sniffing out insurgents. It’s a life and death assignment carried out by a group of American tough guys nicknamed the Lava Dogs. They hear a strange sort of whimpering and cautiously turn a corner as they follow the source of this sound. In Fallujah, you never know what’s around the next corner. Around this corner they collectively smile when they discover the source of the whimpering: A four-week old floppy eared puppy dog.

This an insider’s look at what’s really going on in Iraq, as well as how a mischievous stray dog won the hearts of Marines, and even Iraqis, who don’t typically care much about dogs. An unlikely band of heroes save a dog’s life.

“101 Reasons to Dump Your Man and Get a CAT,” by Molly Katz (William Morrow, New York, NY, 2006; $14.95). The author is comedian Molly Katz, who reflects, “(Unlike a man) You never have to see your cat in a Speedo. And your cat won’t admit he’s wrong either, but at least doesn’t keep you up all night trying to prove he’s right.” It’s clear Katz (whose name even reflects her preference) prefers cats to men. Likely, she’s not alone. She says, “Why look for love in all the wrong places when it’s right across the room chasing its own tail?”

            “Dog Biz: A Compendium of Amazing Facts and Anecdotes from the DOG World,” by Amanda O’Neill (Barron’s Educational Series, Hauppauge NY, 2006; $13.99). This book is filled with unusual facts and oddities: For example, in 2003, a 9-year old girl in India was married to a stray dog in a ritual to ward off an evil spell. No word on whether the plan worked. Dogs still help to transport goods in certain parts of the world, but using a dog for that purpose illegal in the UK, where there is a canine labor law -dogs aren’t allowed to pull carts with merchandise in public streets. True facts: The Australian shepherd really originated in America (not Down Under), and in the first dog to appear in a movie was a Collie named Blair who starred in the not so classic silent “Rescued by Rover” in 1905.

            “Movie Cats,” by Susan Herbert (Thames & Hudson, Inc., New York, NY, 2006; $19.95). Painting in her familoar style, Susan Herbert presents an array of well known characters from classic movies, as cats. A special chapter on comedians includes The Manx Brothers (you know, Groucho, Harpo and Chico) and ‘Charlie Catlin.” Movies featured include “Cleocatra,” “My Fur Lady” and “The Good, the Bad and the Tabby.”  This book is for a unique kind of cat (and movie) lover.

            “All the Wild Horses: Preserving the Spirit and Beauty of the World’s Wild Horses,” by Dayton O. Hyde, photography by Rita Summers and Charles G. Summers Jr. (Voyageur Press, St. Paul, MN, 2006; $40). A gorgeous old-fashioned coffee table book. The author, who is the founder of Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary, offers first hand knowledge as he weaves through the complicated issue of saving our wild horses.

            “PAWFILES: Portraits of Dogs” by Kim Levin (Andrews McMeel, Kansas City, MO, 2006; $14.95) Photographs  of over 50 dogs, each with incredible portraits capturing their unique personalities, with individual brief biographies for each. Joy, a Siberian Husky, is a one-dog American idol, with a song for every mood. Tuck, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, has a special fondness for farm animal plastic toys (he hasn’t met the real thing). Susie and Thor are mother and daughter German Shepherd dogs, both work as therapy dogs. Outside Thor will endlessly chase his mom.

            “Fat Daisy: Inner Beauty Secrets from a Real Dog,” by Beverly West and Jason Bergund, photographs by Jessica Alonso (Andrews McMeel, Kansas City, MO, 2006; $14.95). Another stocking stuffer; this one is about Poor Daisy who has outgrown all her sweaters. After attempting all sorts of diets, she has yet to win the war against her own waistline. Daisy though goes outdoors with confidence, and the lesson learned is whether you’re full figured or not, just be yourself. Act as beautiful as you think you are. Just keep away from the scale.

            “The Dog Ate It: Cooking for Yourself and Your Four-Legged Friends,” Lindia West Eckhardt and Barbara Bradley with Judy Kern (Gotham Books, New York, NY, 2006; $15). Too many table scraps or the wrong scraps aren’t a very good idea for a holiday snack. However, no one said you can’t cook meals for members of your furry family. Some of the recipes here are for people to share with their pups. There’s a focus on raw and natural recipes, including Beef Terriyappi, Turkey Polenta Pups and Grandmother’s Meatloaf.