5 comments about Angel By My Side.

1. The author rescues a beautiful golden retriever on advice from his doctor to get a dog. The dog however has the ability to alert the author to impending cardiac episodes and in doing so, gives the author the freedom to work and go about his daily life. This book touches the readers soul and lets us know that maybe there is more to the human-animal bond than we know. The book also dicusses the "Americans with Disabilities Act" as it relates to service dogs. Anybody who has loved a dog will love this book.



2. I could not put this book down. Mike and Dakota's story as a team was inspiring and transcended this world. Their devotion to each other was amazing. You do not have to be an animal lover to learn from this book. My hope would be that after you read this book you will see how special animals are in our lives.



3. I recently lost my Golden Angel too, and while I was looking for a book to help
   Me cope with my pain, I found this book. I am a very busy person and don't
   Have much time to read, but this book took me 2 days. It is full of feelings and even humor. No matter what the situation is, our Golden's will manage to put a smile on our face. When you start reading this book, make sure you have a box of Kleenex
   Near by. This book goes into my favorite book list, and I purchased a few more as
   Christmas presents.



4. I Absolutely LOVED this book! MY sister in law bought for my husband --animal lover...Anyway she bought it for him but I read it first because the cover called my attention. I like dogs but was reluctant to get one because I though of all the work there is involved with taking care of animals..besides with a little one, school, and work a dog would be more work for me....But after reading this book, I know I want a dog..The magic between Mike and Dakota is so overwhelming --that it made me think that that is what we need in our lives..Yea it will be work to potty train and take care of ..but then again things in life that are worth anything sometimes require alot of work--..God Bless you Mike and Dakota and thanks!!!!



5. I enjoyed the book so much. Felt like I was right there with them and every time the author had an attack could visualize how much his Angel/dog helped him through it. They had a bond that is so hard to explain unless you have had an animal and then know what it means, they are not dogs, they are your family and in this case especially he was not only family but his life support and friend. I definitely would recommend this book to anyone, have since bought additional copies to give to my animal lover friends for gifts.

5 comments about Paws and Reflect: A Special Bond Between Man and Dog.

1. Paws and Reflect: A Special Bond Between Man and Dog co-authored by Neil Plakcy and Sharon Sakson is an excellent anthology that will even appeal to cat lovers. Heck, even if you aren't owned by any pets, you'll still love this collection of short stories that honors that loyal, loving bond shared between these ostracized men and their four-footed bestest friends. The 25 humble tales range from heart-tickling to heartbreaking, entertaining and uplifting. As someone who's worked nearly 20 years in animal rescue, I tend to get a little bitter at times. I keep this book close to my bedside for those days when I need my faith in mankind restored.
   
   The collection of stories is told in first person narrative from several names I recognize from previous readings - like Steve Berman and Victor J. Banis. The stories are as diverse as the men who contributed them, and arranged under the chapters: Dogs of Our Childhood, Dogs Who Make Connections, What We Learn from Our Dogs, Making the World a Better Place for Dogs and Exasperating Dogs.
   
   There are so many special moments collected here: Charles Busch's poignant and nostalgic "The Guardian Shepherd," Steve Berman's mystical and meaningful "Shi Happens," Victor J. Banis' heartwarming and heartbreaking "The Girls," Jay Quinn's amusing and affecting "Travis" and Kevin Anderson's comical and candid "The Dog Who Outed Me."
   
   Contributing authors are: Charles Busch, Jonathon Caouette, Matthew Phillips, J. R. G. DeMarco, Donald Hardy, Steve Berman, Lev Raphael, Andy Zeffer, Jeffery Ricker, Michael T. Wallerstein, G. Russell Overton, Victor J. Banis, Jack Morton, Hal Campbell, Ron Nyswaner, Randall McCormick, Jay Quinn, Randy Allgaier, David Mizejewski, Justin Rudd, Kevin Anderson, Edward Albee, Alistair McCartney, Brian McCormick and Stephen Kwielchek.



2. I bought Paws and Reflect for my partner for Valentine's Day. He loved it and put it on my reading stack. And I'm so glad that he did. As the proud owner of a sweet one year old dachshund, we just recently decided to get his new baby half-sister, who is now five weeks old. We were a bit skittish about introducing a new dog into our household. Through stories both humorous and touching, Paws and Reflect has made me more aware of our bond with our current boy and made me excited about welcoming a new little girl into our family.
   
   The writing in this anthology is superb. The short vignettes by both well-known and (to me) unknown gay men touched on so many points of dog ownership. Both the positive and the negative bonds were addressed, without a sense of respect and veracity



3. You don't need to be anything more than a dog lover to love this book. Its not about gender its about the dogs and the people they let love them.



4. I was worried that this would be someone's doctoral dissertation, but it's not. It is immensely readable--I have trouble putting it down. I was reading it in a casual restaurant when I read a passage about a terrier attacking a St. Bernard that made me laugh out loud. When I was a teen, we had a chihuahua who would bark and growl menacingly at the St. Bernard from across the street. When the St. Bernard had had enough of this, she'd just bend down and give our Rusty a big wet sloppy kiss that would drench tiny Rusty which would very effectively shut him up.
   
   Beneath the main concept of gay men and their relationships with their dogs, there's also a subtle secondary story of gay men living happy, successful--and totally normal--lives. I'm recommending this book to all my friends.



5. A romantic series of short stores of love affairs between gay men and their dogs. Some are real tear jerkers, others quite funny, but all are endearing and a joy to read.

5 comments about Mystical Dogs: Animals as Guides to Our Inner Life.

1. Being a believer already that there is more to dogs then meets the naked eye, this book grabbed me by the heart and made me revisit each dog that has ever been in my life. I recommend this book to anyone who is open to learning about themselves and their canine friends.



2. I bought this book two days before I found the perfect dog at the local animal shelter. I started reading and I cried over the front of the book that tells the story of the man meeting at the gates of Heaven and asking for his faithful companion to enter with him. My dog jumped on the sofa next to me and licked my tears. I haven't been the same since. I can't recommend this book enough.



3. This was a good choice, a pleasant book of mysticism and spirituality coupled with a variety of stories about dogs the author has shared her life with.
   
   Houston has the usual Western/New Age view of enlightenment-not as a result of years of rigorous meditation, but as a series of realizations during everyday life. I'm not sure I really agree that what the New Age terms "enlightenment" is the same as the Eastern concept, but I do agree with her that dogs can indeed be excellent teachers through example. And in fact her stories are the highlight of this book. I read with joy each tale and anecdote surrounding an array of Airedales, a couple of mastiffs, an Akita and a German shepherd dog, among others. There were occasional moments of sadness in the stories, but for the most part this was an uplifting book.
   
   After each story, the author elaborates on the mystical significance and lessons learned with each dog. Maybe it's just me, but I didn't find these sections to be quite so interesting as the stories. She tends to ramble some, and I found myself losing interest a number of times. However, it's also entirely possible that I simply don't mesh well with her ideas or her writing style; she's a lot more concise when she's telling a story.
   
   Still, I do recommend this book as a heartwarming bit of light writing that may very well bring you to your own sense of peace. Whether you own a dog or simply the company of your friends' furry companions, this book is a nice way of looking at the more positive aspects of dog ownership (as opposed to filling in holes in the yard, hiding claw marks on the door, and rescuing small creatures from overexuberant attempts to play).



4. This book could be life-changing for those people who believe that animals have powers beyond the simple realm of their daily reality. I was most impressed with her writing, her worldly experiences and her genuineness. I actually went on her website and listened to a conference she had that had been taped. WOW. This is one dynamic human being with a heart as big as Texas. I love dogs--always have--and she captures something about them that even I hadn't given them credit for. It's definitely not an easy read, however and you must pause, put the book down and reflect on her ideas.



5. Jean Houston is one of the most remarkable figures in Humanistic Psychology and consciousness studies of the 20th and 21st century. This book is simply luminous and a great treasure. Anybody who seeks the spiritual path and/or adores four legged friends will love this book. The pictures of Jean and her dogs are also truly wonderful. Hats off to Jean and her brilliant and loyal canine friends.

5 comments about The Gift of Jazzy.

1. Cindy Adams has a hit here. She is very good at writing a memoir, while incorporating the story of her dog. Cindy is the writer of a gossip column for the New York Post. Hobnobbing with celebrities and their quirks is nothing compared to the quirky dog that has come into her life and stollen her heart.
   
   Because of the dog, Cindy, dressed in her nightgown and Amilda Marcos, dressed to the nines, spent Christmas locked out of her apartment, sitting on the floor eating McDonald's hamburgers and fries.
   
   Taking her dog to a dinner party ended in disaster, with Cindy drenched in wine and worried that the white carpet would be permanently ruined.
   
   While on vaccation, Cindy had to sneak into the hotel room of a stanger, to excavate Jazzy from the suitcase of a Japanese tourist, before he hitched a ride back to Japan.
   
   Cindy was on the phone speaking to a client, when Jazzy took a flying leap off her apartment balcony. Cindy threw down the phone, and caught him in mid air.
   
   Jazzy and Cindy took a trip to the counry. She found that Jazzy was a New York dog, who was more accustomed to the sound of the garbage truck, then the sound of crickets with insomnia.
   
   I found The Gift of Jazzy to be both heart warming and entertaining. I really enjoyed Cindy Adams sense of humor and finding out that many celebrities prefer their dogs over any other relationship.
   
   Jill Vanderwood
   Author of two fictional dog books
   Through the Rug[[ASIN:0979845548
   Through The Rug 2: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug)]]



2. I found that this book was very entertaining and heart-warming. Cindy Adams wrote this story from her personal experiences. The funny antics of Jazzy, all the way to the celebrities mentioned, is her story. It is, what it is. If you like it, it's because it's a good re-telling of life going on after a loved-one passes, and how a little dog helped in the healing process. If you didn't like it, at least give Cindy Adams the respect and acknowledgement that she has the ambition to write a book, of which many people wouldn't even know where to begin with. At the very least, it doesn't deserve the nasty negative comments.



3. I'am sorry I bought this book, it is not a good read



4. Great book for dog lovers. Cindy Adams tells the story of losing a loved one and how a very small dog came into her life and captured her heart forever.



5. Gift of Jazzy is really two books in one. The first one talks, with startling tenderness (which you wouldn't expect from Cindy Adams) about the cruelty of old age and sickness and the thoughtless stupidity of bystanders to it. After 40 years of marriage Adams's husband, Joey was physically breaking down and dying piece by piece it was incredibly sad. When her husband finally is gone the void was huge and friends decided to cheer her up by handing her a tiny Yorkie puppy-- Jazzy.
   
   It shouldn't have worked out. Adams was depressed and cranky and brand new puppies need lots of attention but somehow it did and page by page the old Cindy Adams comes roaring back to life. I really enjoyed this book. The stories about Jazzy, life and work in New York and the foibles of celebrities are fun. If you love dog stories this one should be on your bookshelf.

3 comments about Paw & Order: Dramatic Investigations by An Animal Cop on the Beat.

1. Incredible stories of animals in peril and those who dedicate themselves to the rescue and and care of them. A must read for those who love animals. It's an eye misting book, make sure to have a tissue handy.



2. Great book for all animal lovers and especially those who watch the Animal Planet series about the various "animal cops" around the country. Teens and up will enjoy this book and hopefully gain some insight into what happens to animals when people don't give them proper care.



3. What a joy to read, and to know there are dedicated people like Tina Salaks out there whose primary concern is the safety and welfare of animals.
   
   In a cold and often heartless world, this book is a breath of fresh air. Do yourself a favor and buy it!

No comments about The Lord God Made Them All.

1 comments about Cup of Comfort for Horse Lovers: Stories that celebrate the extraordinary relationship between horse and rider (Cup of Comfort).

1. I ordered this book because it contained an essay authored by a very dear blog buddy. I also thought it would make an excellent gift for my horse loving spouse. I am not particularly enamored with horses so my own expectations were measured.
   
   Today I received the book and hurriedly opened it to find my friend's contribution. I expected it to be excellent and it was. But the reward of reading that single chapter was even greater than I had hoped.
   
   I returned to the front and began to read from the beginning and was surprised to find myself more than half way through when I finally took a break.
   
   There are horses in this book just as there are people. But they all become individuals with personality and character and they collectively experience the entire spectrum of emotion. The wonderful writing certainly contributes. But it is the raw emotion that adds the vivid color. There is a genuineness in these stories only possible I think because they are so intensely personal and related from experience.
   
   Kudos to Colleen Sell for a wonderful compilation.

5 comments about Every Living Thing.

1. I have just finished this book after having read the other books in the series many years ago. The magic is still there. I would not ordinarily be attracted to a book of animal stories but the animals in Dr. Herriot's practice are a stage for something more. The author gives the reader a slice of life from a different time and a different place (Yorkshire). I was quickly enamored with the characters and the telling. This book is really about gentle spirits, kind humor, unpretentious people, dedicated lives. Reading it makes the heart glad.



2. This is my fifth review of a James Herriot title, and if you've missed my first four reviews because you live in a cave, I presume you've heard of the TV series called All Creatures Great And Small. That was based on the first collection of wonderful tales from a Yorkshire veterinarian, or possibly the first few. More than a decade passed between this book and the one before it, and I believe this was his last original book. At first there is a dip in the quality we've come to expect, but once he gets back into his groove, it's every bit as entertaining as its predecessors, and I hated that it ended. It's well worth reading and I enjoyed it immensely.



3. I read his books as a teen and loved them. Bought the whole set for my grandsons, [teens]. They laughed until they cried. [so did I].



4. I read this book many years ago, I enjoy animal stories, I loved books by James Herriot, I read all of his books, the one perchased recently was a gift for my grandaughter who likes animal stories.



5. As usual, I enjoyed the stories written by James Herriot; maybe not quite as much as previous books but it still made very enjoyable reading!

1 comments about The Dog Who Came to Stay: A Memoir.

1. I didn't know what to expect when I ordered this book, but it had a title similar to another book I just read, so I was curious. When I read the introduction, I realized that this was a book written almost half a century ago and reissued recently. I learned that Hal Borland had died in the 1970s, but had been a prolific writer about many things and especially outdoor life. His story about the dog who chose to stay with him and his wife began on Christmas night and continues over the ensuing years. His descriptions of the dog, Pat, his rural life as a writer, sportsman, and gardener are completely absorbing. They draw you into the world of the upper Connecticut valley by the Housatonic River. I soon began to wonder about his wife, Barbara, and found that her obituary had just been published in the NY Times on the day I looked for reference to her in Google. I felt a real sense of loss at that. This is how Hal Borland's wonderful descriptive writing lead me to feel as though I was back in time and there with them over 50 years ago. Most of all, Pat, his dog, comes alive as a unique yet thoroughly doglike personality who charms and delights the reader. Pat is just one more example of why humans love dogs so much.

5 comments about Animal Blessings: Prayers and Poems Celebrating Our Pets.

1. For anyone who has ever loved an animal, this is a heartwarming little book. No need to read it just once - pick it up anytime.



2. I was given a copy of this book after we lost our dog. I like it so much that I now get a copy for every friend who welcomes a new pet into their home or someone who loses a pet. Sometimes I cry and sometimes I laugh when I pick it up to read. I find myself going back to it every now and then and always find a page or two that brings a smile to my heart.



3. I have given this book a number of times. To friends who have lost their pets, to friends who have recently acquired new pets and have gotten the same reaction - Thank you so very much! I can't go through it without a dry eye or a smile.



4. AS A DEVOTED PET OWNER, MY BELOVED DOG "LEXIE" IS ONE OF THE FAMILY,BUT ALSO MY FAITHFUL, DEVOTED FRIEND AS WELL. I ENJOYED THIS BOOK VERY MUCH AND SO WILL ANYONE WHO READS IT. EVERY PET OWNER HAS A SPECIAL PLACE IN THEIR HEART FOR THEIR OWN PET,AND THIS BOOK WILL CAPTURE YOURS AS WELL. IT'S GOOD READING FOR YOUR SOUL!



5. This is a great book for so many reasons! I bought this as a gift for someone and thought about keeping it for myself. It has wonderful little poems throughout. There is a whole section on the death of a pet as well containing poems, eulogies, and songs. A great book for anyone who has a special pet:)