5 comments about Animal Friends, Tail Wagging And Throat Purring Stories of Shelter And Rescue Pets.

1. Being able to share Mama D's story was one of the truly memorable times in my life; knowing that her story is just one of millions makes my heart break. Everyone who read my copy of this book has loved the animals, cried over their circumstances, & rejoiced at most of the outcomes. In an age of all the cruelty in the world, it does my heart good knowing this kind of book can touch so many. Christina, thank you again for your belief in Mama D's story & it's ability to touch your readers.
   
   Susy Hiller



2. I haven't read all of this book, but rather the stories that interested me. Several brought tears, usually happy, to the eyes. There is a wide variation of the expertise of the writers, but it doesn't take away from the enjoyment of the read, and shows you don't have to be a professional writer to write a good story. I would recommend this book to those that have an interest in saving unwanted and abused animals, and perhaps encourage more people to seek out adopting these "loosers". Most make our lives much fuller. Heart warming, feel good stories.



3. This book was wonderful!! It made you laugh and cry, which is the scale I judge books on. The stories were written in different styles, making it so personal. And it makes you want to head down to the nearest animal shelter to see how you can help. Congratulations to the author. I wait for her next compilation.



4. I became aware of this book through the local Pittsburgh Shelter I volunteer for - Animal Friends. The only no-kill shelter in the city of Pittsburgh. It has many heart warming stories and I've sat reading many with tears in my eyes. It not only tells tails of pets from Animal friends, but other rescue groups as well. A must for any animal lover out there.



5. This book is the best I've read about rescued pets. Too many people look at rescue and shelter pets as second best. Nothing could be further from the truth. This book shows pets who have changed lives. Whether they come to us at a time we need a best friend or we rescue them when all of their chances are gone. Animals make lives better every day! Thanks to Chris for telling their stories!

5 comments about A New Owner's Guide to Great Danes (New Owner's Guide To...).

1. My wife wants Great Danes and this book was a great place to get insight,and if she could handle these big, but gentle dogs. The book even as small as it is has every aspect of the Danes good and bad. Instead of one my wife now wants three! That's how informative this book is.



2. Jill Swedlow has written an excellent and informative book for the first-time Great Dane owner. Not only does it explain in great detail the responsiblities of the owner, but also tries to discourage those who may not be prepared for the demands of this "Gentle Giant." If you are purchasing a Great Dane for the first time, or just need a "refresher" on the care of your "best friend," this is the book for you. I always have my copy handy. I truly enjoyed it.



3. I am a wannabe Dane owner and have just been researching before I purchase - this book has a lot of good information for individuals in my position.



4. Very well written book, easy to understand and you could tell written by someone with years of experience with this breed of dog. Examples of behavior set forth in this book I could easily see in my dogs. Great Help from Great Book.



5. I have been considering a Great Dane for a while now and want to read up before making that huge leap. Jill Swedlow's name was on 3 out of the 5 Great Dane books I found.

   The part written by her about the breed is wonderful. It is clear she loves the breed but also points out why Danes are not the breed for everyone. She knows her stuff and conveys it in a manner that is friendly and compelling.

   The main problem was that almost half the book is a generic dog guide. It relates to training and other issues, but it does *not* specifically address the problems with a dog that is as big as you are.

   I hope Swedlow writes a comprehensive Dane book. I would buy it in a second.

No comments about Men & Dogs: A Personal History from Bogart to Bowie.

5 comments about Illustrated Guide to Sheltie Grooming.

1. Grooming a sheltie is a wonderful way to bond with the animal. They look forward to being groomed, if it is done in a skillful way. Whether your sheltie is a pet or show dog, this is an excellent resource. And, though it will take a little longer, the techniques can be used on rough collies, too.



2. Whether you show your dog, or just want him/her to look like a show dog, this is the book for you. As a groomer, I found the book to be a very helpful resource, and I recommend it to anyone interested in Shelties.



3. This is a very informative book for the "newbie" in the world of Sheltie Show grooming. I don't see it really being for the typical pet owner however. Probably too much detail and more than they would want to know! It is really for the beginner show person, however I would recommend having someone already experienced teach you, do not just go by the book! :-))



4. Just about every aspect of sheltie grooming can be applied to collie grooming. It can be a challenge looking at an ungroomed collie and not knowing where to start. This book breaks down the whole process into manageable pieces...ear trimming, foot trimming, line brushing and more. A valuable reference book to keep near your grooming table!



5. For those of you who are interested in making your sheltie look his or her best this is the book to read. Barb, who is a breeder and handler, takes you step by step through the grooming process. It even works for those of us who do not think we have the nack for grooming. P.S. The art work is great too.

3 comments about A Dog Lover's Guide to Canine Massage.

1. This book and a few hours is all you need to use touch therapeutically to enhance your dog's well being. The authors teach you in a straightforward and encouraging manner about your dog's basic anatomy, how the muscle groups work, where canine stress points are and how, where, when and why to perform a variety of basic therapeutic massage strokes. It's really "Massage Made Easy!" I particularly love the use of photographs of real dogs and the "call out" labels that show exactly what they are describing. At its full retail price of $19.95, this book is a bargain for the value you will get out of it.
   As a point of disclosure, the authors have taught workshops in canine massage for four years at the sleepover dog camp that I run in the Berkshires and I can tell you that people who attend Camp Unleashed are consistently enthusiastic and appreciative of learning this new holistic modality that they can easily incorporate into their daily life. Jody and Linda came to their professions (canine rehabilitation specialist and licensed massage therapist, respectively) out of their complete dedication to and love of dogs and it shows in this book. In A Dog Lovers Guide to Canine Massage, they not only explain the physiology and techniques of massage, but also encourage the reader to use massage as a way to deepen your relationship. We all love to pet our dogs and do it unconsciously throughout the day--canine massage takes it to another level and becomes a wonderful way to spend quiet, quality time with your animal companion and build a physical sense of trust and love ---with real benefits to your dog's emotional and physical health. This book should be in every dog lover's library!



2. From the single review and the description, I expected a lot more out of this book than what is there. And with such a great title, I had high hopes. To start, it's really thin, which instantly struck me as an indicator of lack of content. Then when you take away what the authors call their "workbook sections" - basically Q&A every couple of pages about what was just covered, it makes the book even thinner. There are also several pages on dog group classifications, again taking up space with something that's not really applicable to the subject at hand (no pun intended).
   
   The editorial review states "Fully illustrated with more than 100 photographs and diagrams" - yes there are photographs, but they're very small and some aren't applicable, like the 8 photos meant to demonstrate different ear types (which are basically pictures of different dog's heads), or the ones showing human body parts as if they relate to a dog's body parts. I didn't find any diagrams at all. The photos that are meant to show massage techniques or stretches aren't clear enough to tell how you're supposed to do the stroke.
   
   Some of the "do's and don't" are really stupid - like "don't smoke during massage" or "avoid wearing heavy perfume" (which is under the "do" section...). Pretty obvious stuff.
   
   I found the explanations of the strokes to be OK, I could sort of understand what they were saying, however whether I can actually put it into practice is another story. There's a whole section on stretching but from the description, I'm not sure I'd be comfortable trying it. I'd be afraid I'd hurt my dog if I accidently stretched too much or the wrong way, especially the knee and hip stretches. I'd feel more comfortable having this done by a professional.
   
   In the "How to Use This Book" section at the beginning, it states that the book was planned as a guide to the author's massage trainings. I think that the book would be a useful addition to such a class, which is one of the reasons why I gave it two stars instead of one. But without anyone showing me what to do, I'm not at all sure I can use it on my own, which is why I can't recommend this book.



3. For most dog owners, their canine companion is a part of their family for whom they feel a responsibility to care for 'up close and personal'. Just as massage is acknowledged as beneficial to humans, so it is also of benefit to dogs. Massage can help our dogs to relax, decrease chronic pain, speed up recovery from injuries, and help condition a working or competitive dog. One interesting side effect of canine massage is the relaxation and strengthening of the bond between dog owners and their canine companions. In "A Dog Lover's Guide To Canine Massage", Linda Jackson (founder and director of the Centre for Acupuncture and expert in herbal medicine and massage for her human and canine clients in Great Barrington Massachusetts) teams up with Jody Chiquoine (founder and director of Fitter Critters, a canine rehabilitation and hydrotherapy facility in Lee, Massachusetts) to provide a complete course of illustrated instruction that will enable pet owners to competently massage their dogs regardless of the breed or age of their canine companion. From reading a dog's body language, to the do's and don'ts of massage, to canine anatomy, stretches, massage routines, and commonly asked questions on the subject, "A Dog Lover's Guide To Canine Massage" is an informed, informative, practical, and thoroughly 'user friendly' instruction manual that is enthusiastically recommended for not only dog owners, but has a great deal of value for veterinarians, groomers, kennel and shelter operators, and trainers as well.

5 comments about The Complete Idiot's Guide to Dachshunds.

1. This book seems more like an insert breed here kind of book than a book about Dachshunds. I am a first time owner and I found Dachshunds for Dummies a much better book.



2. This book is fantastic! It's very informative and extremely easy to read and understand. I would recommend it to anyone interested in adding a Dachshund to their family.



3. This is a really great book for beginners like me! I have had dogs my entire life but never had a Dachshund and this book really helped me understand the unique ways of these great dogs! I highly recommend it to anyone who want to get or already has a dachshund!



4. Everything was easy to find and explained in detail, from picking out the perfect dog for you to diseases and problems to look out for. A must have for first time dachshund owners!



5. I share my home with three Dachshunds and bought this book with skepticism as I don't consider myself an Idiot! However, I really do like this book. The author obviously knows our breed and has tailored the standard Idiot's guide format to the breed. There was some good research done, and great information for both new Dachshund owners and experienced ones. I particularly liked the information on health threats Dachsies face. This book is well worth its cost!

4 comments about The Essential Maltese (Howell Book House's Essential).

1. This is a nice little book for your Maltese library. Beginners with this breed will learn a lot. The grooming section was not quite as up-to-date as I had hoped for. Other than this I enjoyed reading it.



2. I am extreamley disapointed in this book. I can't even tell you how upset I was to find out that a large portion of this book is taken verbatim from another book I ordered from Amazon called "An Owners Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet:The Maltese." The reason I bought the 2 books is because they were offered as a package deal from Amazon, and I essentially ended up with 2 of the same book. There are actual parts of this book that are taken WORD FOR WORD from the fore-mentioned book. I had to check to see if the author gave credit to the other author because I thought it might be plagerized. Inside the third page it said, in small print, "This book is a revised edition of "An Owners Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet:The Maltese." Granted there is a bit more information added and a few cute pictures but I do feel badly ripped off. So be forewarned before you buy both books; that they are nearly the same book. Also most of the information is related to puppies and adult dogs as a whole and not overly specific to the breed. There is an interesting history of the breed that I enjoyed, as well as an informative section on Maltese prone health problems. I would recommend a good puppy book for anyone interested in raising a Maltese puppy instead and find the remaining information on the breed on the internet. These books really haven't taught me more than I already learned through the internet and puppy books. Proceed with caution on this purchase.



3. i was worrying because i was going to get a maltese but i didn't know how to train it. i got this book and when i got my maltese i tried the way it says in the book and it worked!! i really reccomend this book to maltese owners that don't know how to train and groom their maltese.



4. This is an excellent book about the Maltese that is perfect for either someone who is bringing a new puppy home or a Maltese owner that just wants to learn more about the breed. It includes helpful advice on bringing a new puppy home and what to expect. There are chapters on food and nutrition, health care, excellent grooming instructions, breed standards, history of the breed and comprehensive behavior training. Included throughout the book are beautiful color photos. This is a must have book and definitely worthy of five stars!

4 comments about The New Owner's Guide to Cairn Terriers (New Owner's Guide To...).

1. This book has a little background of the Cairn, but does not really help the owner to work with his pet. It lacks details on how to truly care for the breed.
   It is a good overview for a perspective owner, but not much help if you have one.



2. I purchased this book after adopting a one year old Cairn Terrier. I feel the book has been very helpful in giving me insight into the breed in terms of training, grooming and socialization. A bonus is the beautiful photos found throughout the book. I would recommend this to all new Cairn owners or those contemplating a Cairn puppy.



3. Considering the status of the author's kennel, I found the book to be a let-down. It honestly seemed like a generic book on dogs used as a template with only an added Cairn-specific paragraph or two at most per chapter. In the majority of the text it looks like the words "the dog" were just replaced with "the Cairn Terrier".
   
   I was looking for much more from this author. For example in the chapter covering health issues, the advice on routine care for a Cairn's ears is "ask your veterinarian". Gee thanks! Isn't there any advice you could print to educate me as well? My vet isn't a Cairn breeder or owner, he really doesn't know a lot of breed-specific issues and that's what I'd hoped this book could provide. The same with grooming. The book just says that the Cairn is the "lazy man's terrier" as far as coat. Very little is given about the unique care and maintenance a Cairn's coat requires except a discussion of a name brand of stripping knife.
   
   The photographs are lovely and abundant. The text is well written, and good basic information, it's just not deep with Cairn detail. There are a few spots where the author's love and knowledge of the breed shines out, for example in the discussion of obedience that says a Cairn's response to obedience commands ranges from "no" to "make me" to "make it worth my while".
   
   All in all, a book worth having on my shelf but if I was using it to evaluate whether a Cairn was the dog for me or as my only reference for behavior and care issues, I'd feel I didn't have enough material.



4. this book is really good. i loved the variety in pictures (and so did my friends). it has the right amount of information and is organized well. i got this book one day before i bought my cairn terrier which i'd been considering getting and the information here really confirmed that this was the right dog for me. i am also going to get a training book but for those wanting to know about this breed this is a complete book. i highly recommend this !!

3 comments about The Miniature Pinscher: Reigning King of Toys.

1. I have read this book twice, and refer to it as needed. It certainly outlined the characteristics of the breed and all have proven to be true. If there is a downside to this book it is all the information about showing, since my Min Pin is a pet. But then even that provided some good information.

   I liked the book and would buy it again.




2. I recommend anyone thinking of buying a min pin, read this book first. They are not just your average house dog, and this book tells you several things you should take into consideration. Although I purchased it after buying a min pin, it really helped me learn about their history, nature, showing qualifications, as well as other things.



3. This is definitely not a cut and paste dog book. Most everything you could wish to know is included in this book...the history of the dog, it's personality traits, gait diagrams, obstacle track training (!), and famous past show dogs. Plenty of references for further reading, pictures, and some weblinks. The most impressive thing for me was the pain the author goes through to make sure you know what you're getting into purchasing a Min Pin. The breed is high maintenance and very high strung. A cherished pet, but comparable to a toddler who never grows up. It is an important fact. My Min Pin is a rescue from a family that merely felt the breed was 'cute.' This is an excellent book for those who already own, but should be required for those considering a first-time Min Pin.

No comments about Vizsla (Comprehensive Owner's Guide).