No comments about Main Coon Cat (Pet Love).

2 comments about Way of the Cat: Nap, Do Nothing and Stretch Your Way to a Blissful Life.

1. 
   The Way Of The Cat is not just a feline lovers book. It is a psychology/self-help book written from a very original angle. Learn a quieter, more relaxed style of living by observing your cat.
   
   For example learn the cat methods of meditation and yoga. If you are not usually interested in those arts this book still might be for you. Cat meditation does not require the strict rules of straight back, crossed legs, hands in the lotus position, staring at a candle for 20 minutes, all with a totally empty brain. Sit any way you feel comfortable. Move your head if you are bored with what you see. Think about what you might eat for tea. The methods you learn in this book will be totally natural and come easy.
   
   Other topics covered include getting the most out of sleeping, eating right, friendly relationships/personal space, growing old with dignity and religion. Each chapter ends with a set of practical exercises that will really change your life if you let them.
   
   I read this book some time ago but I still spend half an hour a day with my cat in the garden looking at clouds, ants, and plants, following my moggy, meditating about what I have read and sometimes thinking nothing at all.



2. This smart, spiritual and life affirming little book is not just for cat lovers. With wisdom and humor Dana Kramer-Rolls encourages her readers to make their lives more beautiful and fulfilling by looking to our furry friends. She gently shows us we can learn to be comfortable in our bodies, age beautifully and live passionate and spiritually.
   
   This is very sweet book for all kinds of people.

No comments about Smoky, the Ugliest Cat in the World: And Other Great Cat Stories (The Good Lord Made Them All).

1 comments about Fang Shui: Feng Shui for Felines (Charming Petites).

1. This itty bitty book explains quite a few things about cat behavior! Apparently cats are very in tune with feng shui and the flow of energy in our homes. Okay, so it's really just a funny little book that's good for a little entertainment and humor. My fave bit in the book is that to keep the positive flow of energy black cats should only shed on white furniture, white cats should only shed on black furniture, and calicos can shed on everything. I have a calico, so I love that part. This is a great little book for any cat lover.

1 comments about Love Is a Happy Cat.

1. This book is the best book for quickly informing on cat traits and cat care. Many useful observations such as "Love is knowing that when I flop on one side at your feet I'm saying "Play with me"". Lots of tidbits like this to educate new cat owners and even old cat owners! Such as "Love is knowing that when I stick my rump in your face, I'm just being sub misssive not trying to seduce you."
   
   The format is cute images and single statements on each page so it is quick to read. Young readers can learn from it. It also informs the reader of clues to watch for to recognize a cat is sick and what objects are dangerous to cats.
   
   This book should be given to every new cat owner.

2 comments about Cat Conundrums: Simple Solutions to Everyday Problems (Pet Peeves).

1. This book gives you valuable information on cat behavior with a twist of humor. It gives a little insight on why sometimes cats behave the way they do. I really enjoyed reading this as a pet owner and can relate to one chapter in particular. Dr. Sampson has helped me work with my cat with some behavior problems and he know his stuff!!! Great book and highly recommend it!



2. This is a great book! Dr. Sampson takes the mystery out of cat behavioral problems in a way cats would approve of - by pointing out that it's often human misbehavior (or misguidance) that's causing the problem. Not only is this book extremely helpful, it is also incredibly funny! Whether or not your cat is about to push you over the edge, you will appreciate the humor and the sage advice regarding behavior modification. Every person who belongs to a cat can learn something from this book.

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!

5 comments about Praying With Katie God, My Cat, And Me.

1. I was given this book several years ago by the pastor of my church. It gave me a brand new outlook on the unconditional love of God. I have read it several times, as it is very inspirational and is an "easy" read. I have purchased copies for friends and highly recommend it to EVERYONE...



2. I actually loved this book and read it 3 times before passing it along to another cat-loving Christian friend.

   The book is great except . . . When the author is referencing God as a pronoun, he uses His/Her; what is up with that????? As a minister, the author should know better than this!! It is just silly.

   Also, the cursing near the end of the book was unacceptable; grief can be expressed without using the Lord's name in vain. But of course, this is just my opinion.




3. The book makes clever analogies to the life of the author's cat, Katie, and his relationship with God. You may find yourself seeing your relationship with God in a new, more intimate way. You may find comfort and enjoy the litte parables. I found some aspects of Katie's life upsetting and couldn't get pass those to embrace the book.



4. When this book was given to me my initial reaction was that I wasn't impressed. That was before I started reading beyond the introduction. By assessing his relationship with a kitten, the author looks at his relationship with his God in a new light.

   It would seem presumptuous to compare oneself to God, but sometimes I think it is our nature to try to see things from God's perspective.

   This book gave me a lot to think about in terms of my relatonship with my creator - quite a feat in such a small and unscholarly work.




5. What a cool book! I've never read anything like this. I was afraid it was going to be sappy and silly, but I was COMPLETELY wrong, so if you're thinking the same thing, read on.

   One of my pet peeves (no pun intended) is people who anthropomorphize their pets, assigning specifically human motivations to their behavior, and that's what I expected from this book. But the author doesn't do that at all. In fact, at first he's annoyed by his cat Katie and her feline ways when she gets in his way as he's trying to meditate and pray. But she ends up becoming an inspiration to him, at times a metaphor, a reminder of his humanity, or a grounding influence in his soul-searching. By observing Katie's behavior and his own reactions to it, the author has come up with some very original spiritual insights. Katie's unwitting role in all of this is really fascinating, not to mention amusing.

   This is not just a book for "cat people." I think anyone who cares about spiritual growth would get something out of it. I know I did, and I don't even have a cat... yet.

No comments about Cat World: A Feline Encyclopedia.

No comments about Cats of Venice.