Steve Duno didn’t plan on rescuing a mangy, tick-infested Rottweiler-Shepherd mix that was raised on a hidden marijuana farm. The Seattle author also didn’t plan on the mutt—named Lou—to, during the next 16 years, transform his life into “an Indiana Jones film.” Last Dog on the Hill: The Extraordinary Life of Lou (St. Martin’s, $24.99) recounts Lou’s epic adventures, which include catching a rapist, foiling an armed robbery, helping to rehabilitate aggressive dogs, and mastering almost 200 commands. Next to him, Rin Tin Tin looks like a total slacker. Admittedly, the animal memoir is a double-edged sword; as glorious as Lou’s story may be, a heartbreaking ending is likely (dogs only live so long…). But Duno lovingly recalls his time with Lou, and his enthusiasm is so contagious that you may be inspired to adopt a rescue dog, too. ERIKA HOBART

Wed., Oct. 6, 7 p.m., 2010