This month I have chosen two books about animals that will please both cat- and dog-lovers with their insights into our favourite pets.

The first is The Genius of Dogs, £8.99 paperback, by Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods. The husband and wife team are specialists in dog intelligence testing at Duke University and have written many articles for BBC Wildlife and New Scientist Magazines.

They have pioneered studies that prove that dogs exhibit a brand of genius for getting along with people that is unique in the animal kingdom, and that when dogs were domesticated around 40,000 years ago they became far more like human infants than their wolf ancestors. In this book they reveal the amazing mind of your favourite friend and use their groundbreaking work to show how dog owners can build better relationships with their own dogs.

My second choice is When Fraser Met Billy, £14.99 hardback, by Louise Booth. This heart-warming story follows the lives of Billy the cat, rescued from an abandoned house, and Fraser, a 2-year-old autistic boy with multiple behavioural problems. Their bond was instant, Billy approached Fraser at their first meeting, and the pair have been inseparable ever since.

Slowly over time, Billy has transformed Fraser’s life, helping to calm his moods and reduce his tantrums and anxiety attacks. The strong bond between them has immeasurably improved the lives of all the family and the book is full of the funny and touching moments that make the relationship between Billy and Fraser so heart-warming.