3 comments about What Vets Don't Tell You About Vaccines.

1. This is an excellent reference with easy to understand explanations a lay person can readily use when taking their dogs to the vet. I wish this information would have been available when my dogs were pups. I would not have exposed them to repeated vaccines. I believe some of their current health issues are because I blindly went along with my traditional vet's recommendations. I am very glad this is in print again since it is heavily referenced in her newest book "Shock To The System" which I highly recommend!



2. About ten years ago I had no idea there was any controversy regarding annual vaccinations.
   
   I then watched the World in Action programme in which Catherine O'Driscoll was highlighting the dangers of the vaccination programme. I was shocked. I felt sure the Veterinary Establishment would prosecute her for bringing their work in to disrepute but, no - they met behind closed doors instead!
   
   I then got her book and decided to thoroughly read it - and I was even more shocked but, at least I understood why the Veterinary Establishment didn't prosecute her: because the information in her book came from the vet's own manuals; own handbooks - hence the title: 'What Vets Don't Tell You About Vaccines'.
   
   For anyone who really really really love their dogs, this book is a must.
   
   In Summary:
   
   MLV vaccines should not be given to those with B and/or T cell immunodeficiencies
   
   MLV vaccines should not be given to those with allergies, skin disease, heart disease, neurological problems
   
   MLV vaccines can stimulate autoimmune diseases
   
   In addition to 'faulty genes', environmental factors can render vaccines harmful
   
   Vaccines can overwhelm even a healthy host if negative environmental factors exist
   
   We question the assertion that only a tiny minority of animals are affected
   
   Vets have not been taught the full truth about vaccines.
   
   And that says it all. A friend of mine puts it more simply:
   
   Healthy animals don't need them,
   And unhealthy ones shouldn't have them,
   So no animal should get them!



3. We people have a tendency to believe that anyone whom we think know more than we do, are "gods". By this definition all that we don't understand, and that people tell us, we tend to believe and honor as true...like sheep in a herd we follow the leader.
   Ms O'Driscoll makes sure that NO ONE who reads this book will leave untouched by the facts she unconvers. And it is not one fact, it is one after another! One more horrifying than the other. She shows that very many of today's allergies, asthma, arthritis etc are really often due to immunization and booster vaccines. I say, this book is not only good, it is NECESSARY!
   It is written about dogs, but make no mistake: dogs are people too. And we have blood, heart and spleen, like any dog. We are made up with the same system and "they" push and FORCE us to inoculate or children, to actually SET THEM UP for lifelong suffering. And then they deny it.
   I wish everyone - even people without pets read it, and especially - I wish a book like this was written also concerning humans. This is SUCH an easy to read book, with SUCH a chocking message, and this is something we need to take our hearts today. Now. Not wait. Knowledge is power, ignorance is extremely expensive.

5 comments about Catamarans.

1. A man who loves his cats but does at least make an effort to point out the dogs! As long as you feel you have done independent research and accept the author does sell cats for a living, the book is great for those thinking of making the switch from monohull to catamarans and needing some additional reading to justify the expense and that lingering guilt of making the move from one hull to two. But this book sure puts in hard print all the reasons one does make that move!



2. Awesome book! Definitely a must have for any cruising catamaran owner. The author offers many insights and helpful tips in sailing a cruising catamaran, including heavy weather tactics, sail trim, boat handling and anchoring tips, design characteristics, as well as some knowledgeable recommendations for those shopping for a cat.
   
   When my first copy came in the mail I was totally drawn into if for about a week. This was by far the best book written about modern day cruising catamarans. Besides all the valuable info the photography is incredible. I was so impressed with the book that I showed it to a new catamaran owner I had recently met who was about to have a crew sail his FP Tobago (35ft) across the North Atlantic from Florida to the UK. Since they were all mono-hull sailors with no experience in sailing cats I thought it'd be a great idea for them to read prior to their departure. I let them borrow it for a few days and that's all it took. The owner begged to buy this book from me. I was glad knowing that it would be valuable addition to his boat. Last I heard the book was in the Azores - after successfully sailing through a Force 7 storm.
   
   In summary, this book deserves all 5 stars and is equally suitable for your boat and/or your coffee table at home.
   
   Kevin Welsh
   S/V Bladerunner



3. A wonderful compilation of what you need to know when interested in catamarans for touring. The author is clearly a cat fan. But who can blame him.



4. The photography in the book is excellent, and there is plenty of information on the characteristics of cruising catamaran design, construction, and handling, but there is plenty of wasted space too. For example, the "Noteworthy Multihulls" chapter is basically a series of two page ads for various multihulls. It even includes a few boats in the 60 to 100 foot range, of which the vast majority of cruising sailors will never set foot on, much less own. One of the catamarans listed, the Jaguar 36, has a displacement of 24,460 pounds, higher than some 40 foot or longer catamarans listed, but the author doesn't see fit to hightlight or explain this outlying figure. Some of the appendices, again, are a waste of paper. Survival equipment checklist, Cruising equipment checklist, Maintenance tasks, Metric Equivalents, Beaufort Scale, Glossary of nautical terms, strike me as a last minute addition to fill up more pages. For what reason? I don't know. The rest of the information was worth what I paid for it.



5. Wonderful photos, at the expense of substance. Definite biase towards OUTREMER catamarans (Tarjan is the US dealer for that boat). Nice for the coffee table.

5 comments about Dancing with Cats: From the Creators of the International Best Seller Why Cats Paint.

1. "Dancing with Cats" has excellent photography, entertaining text and is purrrfectly delightful. I couldn't have found a better gift for my friend. Everyone who comes through her door is shown right to the book. Then chuckles and mimicking abound.



2. When I first saw the cover of this book, I laughed out loud with joy and a sense of wonder about whether this book was for real. Surprisingly, DANCING WITH CATS is not a joke, and is an excellent primer on how to go about having some fun with your cats in a rather unusual way... by dancing with them. Since I don't currently have a cat, I borrowed one to get a feeling for how possible it might be to get a cat to dance. I succeeded in completely astonishing the cat as I began to notice the ways that the cat watched me moving around with movements that showed we were beginning to move together as one. Clearly, some cats enjoy dancing more than others, and this is one activity that may take a while to get fully into the swing of with your feline dancing partners. From the ancient history of cat dancing to modern age tips and techniques, this book provides a wealth of information about a subject most of us know very little about. The photographs are truly stunning, and you just might get some new ideas about what kinds of fun you can have dancing with cats. Highly recommended!



3. This book has appeared in my life several times, always with a mixture of joy and terror. The concept of the book is simple: through engaging one's cat in dance, a certain physical and spiritual equalibrium is achieved. Various people are interviewed and photos are shown of them dancing with their cats. Half of the time, though, it is not clear whether the cat is jumping or has been thrown into the shot by the photographer's assistant. Throughout the book you question yourself if cat dancing is "real"; by the end, it doesn't matter anymore.
   
   Each one of the "cat dancers" is borderline schizophrenic, but the images are so whacky that one can't help from laughing histerically. Some people have actually recruited their children into the cat dancing way, which makes you feel sorry for them. (They will never have a normal existence.) The text that accompanies the images, however, is cause for brief moments of terror: these people actually believe they are making a spiritual connection with air-born cats. One is even concerned about creating too much spiritual energy and collapsing an astral vortex. Regardless, the book is a perfect ice-breaker, a coffee table book for all ages that allows strangers to point and laugh and sigh collectively. To say with a smile: "At least we're not them!"



4. A pristine paperback copy of this extraordinary book. If cats are your thing, then this is a book for your shelf



5. My niece got this for me as a gag gift. After 30 minutes of looking through it, I was lmao. I am lauging right now just thinking about it.

1 comments about Bach Flower Remedies for Cats.

1. This book helped me so much, in trying to find out why my cat was pulling her fur out. We, along with our Vet, had tried everything, and nothing seemed to work. A friend recommended I try Dr. Bach`s Rescue Remedy, that is used to calm people and pets. I tried it, and then bought this book from Amazon.com. I found answers I needed, in this book, and went to their web site to send an email, asking if they had a remedy for cats pulling out their fur. They recommended two remedies, which I ordered. My cat has finally stopped pulling out her fur, and seems much more happy now! This is a very helpful book, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has cats.

5 comments about Maine Coon Cats (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

1. MY CAT IS A MIX BUT ABOUT 75% MNCOON. THIS BOOK DID EXPLAIN ALOT OF QUIRKS AND BRED IN HABITS I NOW SEE IN MINE. THEY ARE CRAZY CREATURES.
   VERY INFORMATIVE AND PICS GALORE,THANKS-LBSMITH



2. I found this informative and well rounded. Fun, not stuffy--with lots of pictures. For this price, a must-have!



3. This is a good introduction to Maine Coon cats. Mostly, this is a "care and feeding of" book that could apply to any cat, which is what this book is really for. If you are new to cat ownership and have a Maine Coon, this will get you started.

   We have Maine Coon rescue cats and we don't plan to breed any cats (preferring to adopt orphans--there's a glut of cats out there.) But if you were planning to breed Maine Coons, you surely would need a more comprehensive book than this slim volume.

   However, if you just want some general background about the history, pictures of coat colors and information about the general qualities of this breed, this book is just fine. The most valuable page is actually in the back, describing various illnesses, with a black and white drawing and description of a cat "not doin' right", which is how a cat subtly tells you it is feeling sick. We caught our cat "not doin' right" and she was actually on the point of being seriously ill. We caught it in time--thanks to that helpful description --cats are sometimes not terribly expressive, purring even in pain and perking up if their beloved owners are around.




4. I liked the book. It's a good book for people who don't know a lot about the maine coon cat breed. I found out several things I didn't know. Yes the end is a little generic, but it is only talking about how to take care of a cat, which would be generic. I think it's a good book for first time Maine Coon cat owners, such as myself.



5. "Maine Coon Cats" is one of a series of cat books published by Barron's. It has been 'personalized' by inserting the breed name 'Maine Coon' into the title and various other places in the text. Most of text is about cats in general, but all of the book's photographs display big, fuzzy Maine Coons. And there are some specifics about this very special breed - the cost of a show kitten vs. 'just a pet', a short history of the breed, etc. We own a small Maine Coon cattery ('JustThisOnce' Cattery) with five current residents (if you don't count the humans). For a more specific book on this native American breed, I'd recommend "This is the Maine Coon Cat" by Sharyn P. Bass. The photographs are mainly black and white (and grainy), but the text is much more specific to Coonies, especially if you plan to show. I learned from Bass's book that our Maine Coons aren't unique in the way they scoop water out of their dish with a big, hairy paw and then drink it. Evidently, this is one of the breed traits that got Maine Coons mistaken for raccoons in the first place!

   I don't want to turn you away from Barron's "Maine Coon Cats - A Complete Owners Manual". It contains very good generic information about raising cats, and the photographs are really lovely. It just has that 'mass produced' feel about it.

5 comments about Sleeping with Cats: A Memoir.

1. I began reading this book with a delicious sense of anticipation. Ms. Piercy's writing is, as usual, beautifully crafted, almost lyrical. Her use of the cats in her life was, for me, a tantalizing hook. But unfortunately, no matter how much I wanted to care enough about her life to pick up the book after once putting it down, there was nothing in it, for me, to make that happen. I found the book to be nothing more than a not very interesting, self-indulgent trip down memory lane.



2. This book was NOT what I expected. If you're wanting a book about CATS and ONLY cats, this is NOT the book for you...but if you're like me and fell inlove with the title and love cats, and are willing to give this book a chance--you WON'T REGRET IT.
   
   It is a GREAT book, all about the life of the author and growing up Jewish and everything else that comes with being a little girl who does love cats...but can't seem to hang on to them...thanks to dear ole dad.
   
   I hated to see it end.



3. I was hoping this would be more about cats since I am researching writing a cat book, but instead it was a great deal about the author Marge Piercy, her entire life, in fact. Since I was unfamiliar with her work, reading her life story in such detail was of little interest to me, although I found parts of it -- the struggle to find time to write and balance a marriage at the same time -- interesting. But her chapters on her cats, especially when they were sick or dying, moved me greatly. I ended the book crying since Oboe dies in the last chapter, and forgot how long it took me to get to this very moving part. So...if you are interested in the author, you will feel like her friend by the time you finish. If you are interested only in cats, skip around to the chapters where she focuses on them.



4. I am a cataloging librarian and was working on Marge's latest novel when I decided to read up on her other books. As a new cat owner and a passionate woman I was attracted to this autobiography. Rarely do we ever see a memoir of a famous author's pets! I have to honestly say this is the best autobiography I have read in years. Yes, the language isn't perfect, just like the author, but it is a beautiful tale. I couldn't be more oppisite, not to mention from a totally different generation, then Ms. Piercy but I could still heartfully relate to her emotions. Her poems are treats and magically written. Yes, she does jump around and mentions things several times at different parts of the book but isn't that the way we speak of a memory? She is honest and wants you to become her companion, not a distance audience. If you have a pet you will relate to her heartfelt goodbyes to her beloved children. She keeps mentioning how she does not regret never having children, however this whole piece is her relationships with her 4 legged kids!:) What a beautiful, sincere and talented woman she is - I hope to one day meet her (update: I did! And brought this book. She told me that rarely do people bring this one when they meet her, she thought it was magical). I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an open soul.



5. Like most autobiographies of famous folks this book is best in the part before she become Marge Piercy, famous feminist author. She gives a straight picture of her life growing up in a working class and lower middle class areas of Detroit in the forties and early 1950s which is my favorite part of the book. There is the toughness and rawness of working class life, the ambiguousness of sexuality, and some of the stark hard knocks realities of the utter cruelty of children, and the far distance parents are.
   
   The second favorite part of the book is her discussion of her hard struggling days attempting to be, refusing to be, being knarled at being a proper young middle class wife in the late 1950s and early 1960s, as well as her fight to become a writer and not a literature academic.
   
   Marge does very well in those areas. Once she gets to around 1966 (where I came into this movie) she just goes too darned fast. Instead of taking time to narrate things, she starts giving her opinions about things. I am familiar with the places and people and things she speaks about in New York in the late 1960s, but I wonder if someone one who wasn't there would be able to follow what she talks about.
   
   This book says almost nothing about Piercy as a writer except how she fought to write in her life in college, how writing saved her and gave her back her world in her hard days after her first marriage ended, and the general fight to have time to write and not have to do other stuff to earn a living after she became "established."
   
   Yet, she never talks about different writers who inspired her, how she actually works, how she stands on disputes over techniques, how she sees her poetry and her fiction, or how she answers the questions that many of us have about the two Marges, the ham fisted strong willed plot boiling fiction writer who does the job and goes on without much verbal flare or subltety and the delicate, sensitive, lyrical poet she has always been, although even in the poem's The Marge's mastery of plain talk from the heart runs through.
   
   I haven't said anything about cats. The cats in this book are not a gimmick. If you read the book--I won't spoil it--you will understand that from childhood, cats have been a special part of her life and identity. It is really necessary to know her for her to explain the relationships she has had with each of the cats that has inhabited her life. Just as necessary as for her to explain each of her parents and her husbands.
   
   I confess to be an unbiased fan of Marge Piercy as both a writer and a person whom I admire. For me, this book gives more sense to different autobiographical threads in her work and clarifies confusions I had about her age (I thought she was about 10 years younger than she is from the times I have seen her, from all the good things I know she has done for people I know, always behind the scenes never trying to get the credit she is due).
   
   Yet, I am not sure how interesting this would be for someone who is not a Piercy fan.
   
   I would recommend that the reader who likes the pre-success part of Marge's story read her two more autobiographical novels Braided Lives and Small Changes. These were among her first books and seem to be neglected these days. There is a lot of meaning in both of those books. In fact, I used to read Braided Lives annually, or when I was in a tight fix personally--stolen cars, lost girl friends, fear of losing my job.

4 comments about Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats.

1. This is a great book and I love all of Diane Stein's material but this is a lot of the same stuff that Dr. Wendell Belfield was teaching in the late 70's when I first started breeding German Shepherds. It is a well kept secret among breeders all over the world.
   
   I have used the Mega C Plus and the Mega C drops from his company for my breeding dogs and have never had one bit of hip trouble. His link is http://www.belfield.com/about.php to get the best nutritional suppliments possible for your dog and cat!



2. (four and a half stars)
   Diane draws upon a lot of other people's work, mostly a good thing. Diet, massage, accupressure, accupuncture, herbs, flower essences are presented in a common sense and practical way. She tackles some complex issues with simplicity, though unfortunatly some of the information I find personally to linger a bit, and some which isnt really necessary to include, though I think most books are like this. On the other hand, bold, enlightening and informative statements are present throughout. This book is not just for animals...Dianes experience in other fields shows, it improves oneself too.
   
   This book is infused (mostly) with passion, and kindles a relationship with animals and the earth that I all too often forget and all too many people don't know or understand, which is ashame because it is an absolutely beautiful thing. I feel closer to and more aware of my pet cat and dog, respect them more, and as a result have a much more beneficial and empowering relationship with them.
   
   This book is not overly practical, it needs more recipies and some of the table information like herbs and vitamins needs to be freed from all the text and categorized better. A little information is also a bit unclear, so requires extra research.
   
   I've read a few nasty comments about Diane Stein and her 'feminist' bias. She does not belong to such a category, she is aware of the differences between males and females, and holds a very traditional and timeless, yet unfortunately dying persepctive, which you can investigate in futher detail in the article "REVOLT AGAINST THE FEMINISTS: The Traditional Woman According To Julius Evola by Troy Southgate", which is freely available on the interent. Her personal experience is conveyed very strongly throughout the book, unfortunately she does come across as a bit disdaining towards males. It is up to everyone to accept and understand her, rather than just criticize.



3. I love this book. I enjoyed reading it and I use it as an occasional reference. I particularly like the Reiki healing and Flower Essence sections. The section on pet death was very beautiful. Unfortunately, when I tried to share this book with my husband, his masculinity was threatened by the exclusive use of the female pronouns and the references to The Patriarchy. Women are used to reading books with only male pronouns and with insults to women, but many men may be unable to read this book. Also, this book will appeal to the intuitively inclined, rather than to the scientific or literal minded. Diane Stein's book The Natural Remedy Book for Dogs and Cats covers many of the same topics in more detail, and written in a more universal style.



4. looking for a book that will tell you what you need to know about anything going on with your pet? A-Z ....This book as well as Dr. Pitcarn's book are two books you must have if you love your pet like a family member!

1 comments about A Dickens of a Cat: and Other Stories of the Cats We Love.

1. Reviewed by Lisa Frisbie
   
   This easy-to-read book features funny and poignant stories written by cat lovers,for cat lovers. Anyone who has been owned by a cat will recognize the many antics and the often endearing qualities of the pets described in these pages.
   
   Editor Callie Smith Grant gathered stories from her friends and some of her favorite writers, themed around the joys and heartaches of having a cat in the house. With a forward by author H. Norman Wright, the book is a perfect choice to read by your fireplace on a chilly winter evening.
   
   "The Cat Who Loved Chemo" is the true story of a cat who made cancer treatments more bearable for the author during an incredibly difficult struggle to survive.
   
   "Out of the Woods" describes a cat who showed up at the doorstep one morning while the author was on a sojourn in the Cascade Mountains. The cat soon felt right at home.
   
   These and other stories will warm the heart of any cat lover. Although currently a pet-free home (we travel too much!) I found myself missing the companionship of a cat after reading these short, well-crafted stories. Two dozen stories are here, each one written by a different cat owner; each one a loving tribute to our furry friends.
   
   Armchair Interviews says: Cat lovers, this one is for you!

5 comments about The Goldsteins' Wellness & Longevity Program.

1. It does talks about natural ways to take care of your pets but almost every health problems can be fixed by one of the products Dr. Goldstein sells in his nautre pet store. It makes you wonder if he trys to sell you his products through the book.



2. This is one of the most helpful books that I've read on the subject of feline health and nutrition. I'm not one of those foo-fu, holistic, health nuts, who would try to feed organic granola to my cat, but having recently lost a twenty-three year-old feline friend to cancer, I have become far more conscious of what goes into my cats' bodies. While I might make the wrong choices for myself, my cats are depending on my to make the right choices for them, and the Goldsteins, through their book, have given me a lot to think about, much of which I've already implemented.



3. This is by far one of the best books on holistic health for animals. It is easy to read and understand, and it covers alot of information. Well worth the investment.



4. I purchased this book on the recommendation of a friend and I was not disappointed. This book gives you an overview of many different medical problems that your pet may encounter. Then they break it down into what the Vet will recommend, followed by what other things you can do to treat the pet holistically, either as an accompaniment to the vet's recommendations, or instead of (this is your choice of course). It's very well written, easy to read and understand. Many times these types of books sound good, but are disappointing when you read them. This one is not disappointing and I honestly believe every pet owner should have this as an important reference.



5. Holistic veterinarian of 30 years' experience Robert Goldstein and "Earth Animal" retail outlet founder Susan Goldstein present The Goldsteins' Wellness & Longevity Program: Natural Care For Dogs And Cats, an integrative health book that bring together the best of holistic and conventional veterinary practices for readers to follow for the sake of companion animals. Designed to boost the immune system and aid in disease prevention for pets, the easy-to- follow program includes natural preventatives and healing modalities for common conditions, and guidelines for when to vaccinate and when not to (vaccination can cause pregnant animals may reject their unborn litters; anesthetized animals may vomit and choke). The Gold-steins' Wellness & Longevity Program cannot replace the diagnosis, advice, or care of a veterinarian, but it is packed cover to cover with tips for naturally preserving and prolonging animal health.

5 comments about All I Need to Know I Learned From My Cat (And Then Some): Double-Platinum Collector's Edition.

1. as someone who has owned many cats and enjoyed watching them this book is great. The cat quiz is also fun to take with other cat lovers



2. we laughed till our sides hurt. loved the book and the cats adventures and misadventures. well worth the price even if you're not a CAT LOVER. All I Need to Know I Learned From My Cat (And Then Some): Double-Platinum Collector's Edition GREAT FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES 2 - 102. great for cats of all ages too!!!!



3. This little book is so fun and so sweet! It's a great, light-hearted way to have a laugh.



4. What a great surprise to find this book in a new edition with new content! I think the original version is best described as timeless, one of those books on my "cherished books shelf," and this one has great new material including a very funny "cat people quiz." The illustrations are so fun that you wish they would be available on cards or posters because they make such good company. Apart from its great humor, the best thing about this book is that at its heart it is full of wise and tender wisdom about how to live life -- gentle lessons that are very inspiring. To me, this book is an obvious home run for cat/animal lovers, and also an excellent gift for anyone who wants to make more of life.



5. I found my first copy of this book in the trash over 12 years ago. Definitely a fool who threw it away! It warmed my heart on the first skim. I have given blown up versions of some of the pages to friends as inspiration. I have a blow up of "Challenge Yourself", where Binky is struggling to drink out of the toilet, on my desk at work. Binky always brings peace to my heart, even if I don't have a sneeze that's the envy of others.
   
   Binky's new lessons are not wholly original - some seem slightly recycled from the previous version, but they are still sweet. If you don't have the original version of the book, be sure to get this. In this chaotic world, we all need to take some time to eat the flowers.