The Last Dogs by Christopher Holt

This is the first book of a series, but it makes a good story on its own.  It opens with a dog shut in a kennel for days.  For some reason, all people have disappeared.  If he doesn't escape, he will die.  Luckily, he meets up with a charming, if somewhat lazy, dachshund.  Convinced that an old black lab has the answers they need, the dogs set out on their own. Together, the two strive to find their missing people.  During their journey, they must battle a pack of hungry wolves, escape a group of militant dogs, and survive countless hazards.  The ending is wildly exciting, but of course, they haven't found their people.  It is a series, after all! A good read, this book might be challenging for young readers.

White Fur Flying by Patricia MacLachlan

This is a charming story that would make an excellent read aloud...and it won't take long to finish.  On one side of a fence is an old farmhouse filled with a family that rescues big, white dogs.  On the other side of the fence are the new neighbors: a seemingly uptight aunt and a nephew who no longer speaks.  How the two sides become connected is the meat of the story.  A talking parrot and a bad storm lead to a satisfying ending.