1 comments about Vanity Fur.

1. I loved the articles and everything! It's a must have for all cat lovers. I can't believe it's out of print. Get it back in print!

No comments about Leopardo da Gotcha.

2 comments about Wild Discovery Guide to Your Cat: Understanding and Caring for the Tiger Within.

1. This book gives an excellent overview about cat behaviour and care. It is very direct and not complicated. However I did not give 5 stars because I wish they would have detailed more about feline diseases such as FIV and leukemia. For those who already have cats (like me) the book makes clear certain attitudes that we all know such as lots of sleeping, hissing, feline intelligence, the way they show their love and so on.

   On the other side, if you plan to get a cat/kitten from your shelter or any other place have this book first, it has an excellent section on how to choose the right cat. And also a good section why you should not declaw your cat and all the care you will have with your feline companion.




2. After owning my first cat, I decided to read about cats. I found "Wild Discovery Guide to your Cat" very helpful in understanding more about my cat. I discovered why my cat behaves the way he behaves and how to treat him if he becomes sick. This book made me understand my cat a lot better and to be able to make a better home for him. The book ranged from topics on the different types of cats to how to help a cat adjust to a new home. I especially enjoyed the sections on what to do when a cat is sick or injured, particularly what signs to look for in a sick cat. Of course, the pictures of the various cats were great and helpful in understanding various situations with cats. Overall, I was very impressed with the book. I plan on purchasing the book for friends who are cat lovers.

No comments about Catography.

No comments about The secret language of cats.

No comments about Kittens, Kittens All Around.

2 comments about Cat Love: Understanding the Needs and Nature of Your Cat.

1. If people psycologists could do as good a job with people as Pam Johnson-Bennett does with cats, we would have a saner and more mentally healthy society. As a pet sitter for the past 12 years, we heartily endorse Pam Johnson-Bennett's books on cats.



2. I found great information for my cat's diet and health, plus first aid & psychology. I gave this book as gifts to several of my friends, and they like it a lot, too. The "Vitality Mix" recipe has helped my cat immensely.

No comments about Cats: A Book of 21 Postcards.

5 comments about The Heart of the Matter : Breaking Codes and Making Connections Between You and Your Dog or Your Cat.

1. except in regard to the quality of the writing. The authors' style can best be described as "wretched." I think the content is closer to 4 stars, and the writing should get 2. The style is attempting to be funny and cute (it's not), and the authors seem to think bragging about themselves and putting down other behaviorists will inspire confidence (it doesn't). As other reviewers have noted, the book is at least a third longer than it needs to be.
   
   However, there are some unfair criticisms as well. ALL animal behaviorists are operating out of their own beliefs about dog and cat behaviors, and the ones who cite "studies," aren't necessarily on very solid ground (even if the studies are properly done, and even if they say what the behaviorist thinks they say, they don't usually provide genuinely empirical support for an entire theory of behavior). There's nothing inherently weird about these authors believing that your companion animals should be socialized to humans instead of to other animals. Moreover, just as no theory of teaching works for all children and almost any theory of teaching will work for SOME children, believing that only one behaviorist is "right" is just asking for the universe to send you a pet who will turn your beliefs inside out! The authors think the pet food we buy is bad for our pets and that many of them have behavioral problems due to food allergies. In view of the recent evidence of massive contamination of pet foods, I don't think we can dismiss their concerns out of hand. (And if you'd ever had an animal with food allergies, you'd KNOW they can affect behavior.) I would caution here, though, that they're overly simplistic in their feeding advice and have forgotten to mention some common human foods that can be toxic to animals. There are some excellent books and websites that explain how to make your own pet food and I would consult them before trying it. (Me, I'm still using commercial foods.)
   
   I was amused to see that one reviewer's rather hysterical characterization of "bolting your dog to the floor" was merely the authors' belief that it's better to have your dog on a secure short leash in every room than to use a crate. Gee, people, what do you think owners did before crate training? They used baby gates in the kitchen or laundry room, stuck a short leash over a doorknob, or installed a secure eye bolt to hitch the dog to. I'm an advocate of crate training because I work outside my home, but if I were home most of the day, I think their approach would be perfectly reasonable.
   
   The major strength of this book is the "magic touch" ( yes, it's a ridiculous name). I don't care what the theory is: it's simple, it's harmless, and if it works for your dog, it really will seem like magic. ONE slipper toss cured a barking problem that was driving me mad (and that other training methods weren't touching) and I'm now targeting a few other really irritating behaviors. The emphasis on human language (rather than barking out one or two-word training commands) is also positive from my perspective, and it certainly can't hurt. Some reviewers are aghast at the idea of an occasional quick smack on the rump; please read what the authors actually say about this before leaping to conclusions -- if you don't agree with them, fine, but they are NOT advocating cruel or inhumane treatment.
   
   I'm a huge fan of Carol Lea Benjamin, and her training approach is, overall, the one I like best. (She can write, too, and her mystery fiction is excellent.) However, with my current dog, some things just weren't working. I adopted a young dog who really was socialized to dogs more than humans (his litter had been abandoned near people who do vacation kenneling, so he was raised with a large and constantly changing group of dogs). He is sweet, intelligent, and loving -- and adding the "magic touch" to the training repertoire is rapidly making him fun to live with, too. We're both a lot happier now!



2. Great book. Have read numerous dog training books and this one was an easy read that held my attention. It works too. The techniques the authors suggest seem a little different at first but if they end in the desired results, it's worth the effort. Definitely read the nutrition section and you will be shocked to see what goes into commercial dog foods.



3. i trained my first dog with the book "smarter then you think" (also by paul loeb) and got wonderful results so when i got a pyrenees-mastiff puppy that bit my fingers, played the "catch me if you can game",had no respect for me (or my books) i decided i needed to read "the heart of the matter". i trained my dog not to run away not to chew on me and now she respects me and looks up to me (oh yeah she comes when called and shes only 9 weeks old. this book trained this dog in less then an day.) not to mention my mom who does not have to deal with the smell of pee all day. dont even get me started on how much she loves her fresh food. this is a must read for any one with a dog.



4. I thought I knew all about my children (my Yorkie and my Poodle), but this book was enormously eye-opening! It is easy to read (you won't want to put it down), and so informative that you MUST have this book in your library!!!



5. This book is amazing. I have three dogs. A beagle, a labrador and a rottweiler. They do exactly what I say when I say it and seem to love me all the more. I really understand them now, and see my mistakes in dog rearing in the past. I have never found a book like this. You do what he says, exactly, and it works. Period. No nonsense - a slap on the behind is effective punishment for some offenses. The "throwing technique" is the best. If your dog is doing something wrong, correct him verbally and if he ignores you, throw something at him! It doesn't have to hit him - I use sock balls with pups - and your dog will obey you immediately. This guy is Dr. Doolittle. Got a dog? GET THIS BOOK!

2 comments about Life According to Maude: A Photo Expose by.

1. This book is full of fun photos and comical prose. It appeals to both children and adults, and is a great conversation piece.



2. I was introduced to John Lund's art though a greeting card, which lead me to his website, which then lead me to buying this book. Life According to Maude is genius and had me in stitches! Anybody who likes cats (and pastries and humor) will LOVE this book. People who are not cat-lovers may deem you insane while witnessing you shriek with delight over this book, but who cares what they think? Certainly not Maude.