No comments about A Cat That Thought It Was A Chicken.

1 comments about Every Life Should Have 9 Cats.

1. A very easy read! I could really relate to these "tales." You can tell that Ms. Percoco is totally a cat person and her life has been devoted to her cat friends. Including photos of every cat (and one dog!) makes the stories more personal. Each story and poem is full of fun and tugs at your heart.

No comments about Kitty Tales and Doggie Deeds.

1 comments about Cats Mysterioso: True Tales, Odd & Puzzling.

1. With sincere fondness the author shares childhood memories of his unusual country cats. The antics of these farm-life felines will persuade you to believe that there really is something mysterious about the way cats think. As you read Cats Mysterioso you may even begin to recall some unusual cat encounters of your own. A book to be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

2 comments about Stories of Adoption: Loss and Reunion (Family & Childcare).

1. Photographer and author Eric Blau does the greatest service to all members of the adoption triad. With only simple introductions, Blau allows the adoptees, birthparents and adoptive parents the forum to tell their stories, relay their feelings, and share their worlds. The b&w photos are as telling as the text; some are particularly haunting yet poignant. Of particular note is the inclusion of several birthfather tales, usually absent from similiar volumes. It is an even-handed look into the good and bad of adoption, and allows the reader to make up his or her own mind without preaching any agenda (ditto the forward by Annette Baran). The only book I've come across that is perhaps suitable for non-triad members to read in the hopes of grasping what the rest of us have dealt with.



2. Eric Blau has done a superb job in introducing his readers to the often heart-breaking world of relinquishment, search and reunion. Touching insights are given into the lives of birthmothers and adoptees alike: the pain that some birthmothers still feel years after relinquishment is palpable; the isolation and shame that many felt while living in a time when being an unwed mother was a disgrace; the lack of support from family and friends; and the lies they were told about how easily they would be able to get on with their lives. Blau balances these stories with those of other birthmothers who are not so emotionally attached -- who feel that they have made the right decision and have moved on with their lives, and never looked back. Through Blau's deftly handled interviews the reader gains fascinating insights into the lives of adoptees, some of whom never knew they were adopted until adulthood; others who struggle with mixed race adoptions, and finally, those who search but will likely never find. Blau compliments the writing with black and white photographs, some of which are often stark and revealing. This is an excellent book, particularly good for sharing with others who have no insights to adoption and who have expressed an interest to learn more, but not to "study" the subject. As a reunited birthfather, I highly recommend it.

2 comments about Arf Angels and Other Heavenly Creatures: True Stories of Animal Visitations.

1. This book helped me cope with the loss of my friend/pet. It also helped me to look at death in a different way. And to help me realize that I could welcome another pet into my home. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is grieving the loss of a pet.



2. "Now that your loved one is gone, what'll you do?" I might suggest you first buy this book. When I lost my Bitsy, besides being devastated, I had burning questions - Where was she?, Was she safe?, Is she still around?, Will I see her again?, In this lifetime?, and the all-important, Why? My search has been ongoing for the past 3 years she's been gone. I have read nearly everything available written exclusively on the spirituality of animals and their afterlife as well as many books that may contain so much as a sentence in reference to their continued existence. When I discovered Anita Perry's Arf Angels and Other Heavenly Creatures I found a vein of gold in my mining expedition. While each of the stories offer the reader comfort in that we are not alone in our grief, (and in some cases in the decisions we've been forced to make), Ms. Perry gives us stories of purpose and hope. We are given the unique opportunity to look back on a life lived with purpose, give some meaning to the painful end process and banish some of our regrets. Each story relates to us how our individual lives are changed for having had our loved ones in them. The book takes for granted the grief is as real for our animal family as it is for anyone else. No words are wasted defending a position. For that I was refreshed and grateful. It's a matter of fact that animals come into our lives for a reason. It's a matter of fact that we usually survive them and have to come to terms with losing them. It's a matter of fact that our beloved family has an afterlife and find ways to let us know they are safe, that they still love us, and are around us even still. Reading these stories has given me comfort, hope, and peace. They will you, too. Now, Ms Perry, Will they come back?

No comments about Dog Tales.

No comments about Critter Capers.

No comments about How I Learned to Speak Dog: And Other Animal Storiesfrom the Spca.

2 comments about The Wonderful Thing About Pets: Remarkable Stories About the Animals Who Share Our Lives.

1. This is a quick and ez read about pets who have done so much for their owners. Most stories are about how either pets have saved their owners lives or helped them with some disability. There are additional stories about animals who love other animals and even some interesting facts about animals. I recommend this book to anyone who loves animals.

   These stories are very short, only a few pages each, and there are a total of 36 different stories in this book.




2. I got this book to give to the cat-loving teenage daughter of an old friend and ended up having to read it myself first. It contains one heart-warming story after another of people's love for their pets and how this is reciprocated, as well as stories of love and caring between animals of different speicies. All through the book, I kept saying to my husband, "You have to hear this one!" and read yet another aloud to him. This book will be loved by anyone who has ever shared his or her life with a non-human creature. I plan to give it as gifts to at least a half dozen such people myself. Enjoy!