1 comments about Box Turtles (Complete Herp Care).

1. Tess Cook's new book is over 125 impressive pages of detailed information and professional photos on everything anyone could ever need to know about Box Turtles and their care. The book is absolutely fantastic! Cook covers all the bases from acquiring, housing (indoors and out), feeding (live food too), breeding, egg hatching (you must see the egg-laying and hatchling photos!), and all things in between. No topic has been missed or glossed over. Tess Cook's long history of keeping and raising turtles shines in this work as she includes little known facts and lessons that can only be learned through personal hands on experience. Tess Cook has also maintained a turtle care website for many years offering help, advise, and a forum for all interested to share their experiences. I have most books and encyclopedias written referencing Box Turtles and enthusiastically recommend this book as a must own book. It is a complete how-to guide encompassing all issues of concern for anyone, at any level of experience, interested in Box Turtles.

2 comments about Quincy, the Hobby Photographer.

1. A wide grade range, from 4-7 and perhaps beyond, will find much to delight in the beginning photographer's guide Quincy the Hobby Photographer: the Complete Guide to Do-It-Yourself Dog Photography. Black and white and color photos offer helpful tips on taking photos and operating a camera, blending humor with plenty of clear examples on everything from picking a subject to working with a canine who won't sit still.



2. You know what?
   This book rules.
   I've been waiting for Quincy for some time now.
   We read it to our unborn child 1x a week now.
   There's nothing like Quincy on the shelf. It's 100% genius.
   If you already own it, then you're Einstein.

5 comments about The Artful Dog: Canines from The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

1. A great gift for the dog lover on your list. Great art, great quotes. An excellent coffee table book. Easy to pick up, dip into and put down. An appropriate gift for most occassions.



2. This book is a jewell. My husband and I keep in on our table and read from it every day. The quotes inspire us for the entire day. Each one is endowed with great wisdom and humor. The art is exquisite. Shari Thompson has accompished an amazing body of work. Her research and choices have produced a rich and beautiful little book.



3. I have just received the six new copies of The Artful Dog which I intend to give to all the dog-people on my list, (and some cat-lovers, too). Shari Thompson has discovered a splendid canine collection in the MM of A and matched them to an assortment of most appropriate quotations from a wide range of dog-lovers - St. Bernard (the human) to Ogden Nash. It is a visual and verbal delight.



4. This makes a delightful gift for every dog lover on your holiday list. It's also a much better host/hostess bring-along than a bottle of wine, for it lasts much longer, providing enjoyment each time the reader opens it. Dogs in art and clever quotes are superbly matched by the editors!



5. This beautiful little book, which I received as a gift, is pure joy with it's delightful reproductions of paintings and photographs of dogs of all types from New York's Metropolitan Museum. Each work of art is accompanied by an enchanting quote or short poem that miraculously reflects the art...how did the author ever find these? Dog lovers and art lovers alike will be totally charmed, as I am. It was a great gift.

5 comments about My Horses, My Teachers.

1. Excellent. Having come from the 'nat.' horsemanship clinicianss, I found I was ready to know even more. Through the help of a new instructor who is 4th generation N. Calif. ranch (used to the vaquero ways) and who became appreciative of the Masters, I am starting a whole new exposure. It is wonderful! She rec'd this book and will add more as I go along. I am halfway into this book and already am realizing how much we can learn from our horses if we just slow down and pay attention to them and each one of their particular personalities and behaviours. It is teaching me even more respect. This instructor appreciates Ray Hunt but also the Masters and I'm not sure but I think she considers Ray Hunt up there in that category as well as Tom Dorrance (who was a neighbor when she was younger and a person whom she learned from as well.). I reccommend this book to every horse lover and rider. It to me is right up there in the classics for an adult just like the Black Stallion, Walter Farley books were right up there when I was a child. It is not as exciting as the Walter Farley books because it is not fiction, but it is a very worthy read. ~ Copperhorse 4 Fun



2. This is Colonel Podhajsky's story of his life, told in context of his relationships with his horses. Sometimes people tend to think that some of the currently popular "natural horsemandship" principles are either new, or apply only to western riding. However, Colonel Podhajsky talks in terms of true partnership and understanding with your horse from the perspective of classical European Dressage, and of course pre-dates the current popular "methods." Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of Pat and Linda Parelli, and feel that they, and others who are popular today, have done a lot to improve the lot of horses. They have also found a way to help the rest of us learn how to achieve the sort of relationships with our horses that Colonel Podhajsky describes in this book. This book is the story of a true master in every sense of the word. Don't miss it!!



3. This inspirational book is truly a classic, as are all of Podhajsky's writings. A timeless, enlightening book which should be read not only by dressage enthusiasts, but by all who are interested in the partnership between horse and rider.



4. Confused by all the hoopla around the "Natural Horsemanship" gurus these days? Find out what is the real thing by reading Alois Podhajsky's "My Horses, My Teachers." In fact, this book could be a sourcebook in Human Relationship, or Self-Help categories as well as any equine category. AP writes passionately about his relationships with his own gurus, the many horses who were lucky enough to cross paths with this kind, gentle, patient master of horsemanship. Reading this book one feels as if these stories are being told face to face with this beacon of horsemasters, sitting in his living room on comfortable couches. This is a must read for ANY horse enthusiast!



5. This is a intriguing book. An insight into to the man who managed to keep the Spanish Riding School going during World War II and convinve Patton to save the breeder stock at the end of the war. He speaks of the horses that he has riden and trained and what they have taught him! I have enjoyed the book, but some may find it a bit too intellectual. Those who ride, love horses or are interested in the behavior of horses will find this an most intersting and entertaining read!

No comments about Vipers: A Guide for the Advanced Hobbyist (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

5 comments about Trailering Your Horse: A Visual Guide to Safe Training and Traveling.

1. A good basic understanding of horse behavior when dealing with trailering. More for the horse that has NEVER trailered than for one that just needs a refresher course...as mine did. Cherry Hill has a great understanding of the animal. For me a physical demonstration was necessary but the book helped with the basics. A good place to start, definitely.



2. I read this book after I read The Complete Guide to Buying, Maintaining, and Servicing a Horse Trailer by Neva Kittrell Scheve, Thomas G. Scheve. I found this book rather disappointing and not very informative (possibly because I read the other book first) While it does have some information about the tow vehicles (you can get more information in a more understandable format from any man walking down the street that knows trucks) and more information on training the horses to load, I still found it very disappointing. Spend the extra $$ on The Complete Guide to Buying, Maintaining, and Servicing a Horse Trailer by Neva Kittrell Scheve, Thomas G. Scheve and have a very informative book about trailers.



3. This book is less about horse trailers than I expected. It is more about preparing the novice horse and horse-person to load & unload their horse. It does not include a comprehensive discussion on the current types (and fads) of trailers, nor does it cover the "horse's perspective" of what makes a good trailer. The small sections on trailers and tow vechicles is okay, but not nearly as comprehensive and fact-filled as "The Complete Guide to Buying, Maintaining and Servicing a Horse Trailer" by the Scheves.

   I would recommend "Trailering your Horse..." as a second source for the potential trailer buyer.




4. This is a must-have for anyone just trailering for the first time or working with a horse that was mistrained in trailering. Using Cherry's techniques has helped me to learn a great deal about my horse's previous training and given me the information needed to retrain him properly. I would recommend it for the novice or the pro!



5. This book helped me put together a combination of safe tow vehicle; well-equipped, comfortable horse trailer; and well-trained horse. I wish I had read it years ago. It would have saved me and my horses a lot of trouble. I have recommended this book to many people and would suggest that anyone considering the purchase of a horse trailer and/or tow vehicle read it and re-read it before talking to a single dealer/seller.

5 comments about My Lucky Dog.

1. Reviewed by Nikki Pringle for Reader Views (6/08)
   
   With "My Lucky Dog," photographer turned author Mellon Tytell, uses stunning imagery and brief captions as a poignant goodbye to her beloved dog. Hunter, a mixed-breed stray that Tytell found through an ad at a pet store in Vermont, became her constant companion and the "love of her life" for the thirteen years he was hers. Tytell's background as a photographer in breathtaking locations like Paris, the Andes, Haiti, and the Himalayas served her well as she took roll after roll of film capturing Hunter's adventures at her homes in New York and Vermont.
   
   While the words enhance Hunter's story, it is really the pictures that tell the tale. Tytell has captured her dog's every mood, from sadness to playfulness to pure joy, with absolute clarity. She finds the perfect words to augment the array of snapshots she has chosen to share. In one portion of the book, a variety of photos of the Vermont landscape are laid out next to close-ups of Hunter's fur from different angles, and it is amazing to see how closely these two very different things seem to synch up in color and texture.
   
   Tytell also incorporates images that are not of her dog but serve well in telling his story, like the haunting photo of a bird flying through the trees over a foggy dirt road, accompanied by the caption "He could no longer sit. His spinal cord wasn't sending messages to his paws." The combination of these words with the photo lends visual perspective to the fact that Hunter is preparing to "fly away" from his beloved owner.
   
   Mellon Tytell has accomplished her goal of giving a more than fitting tribute to the animal that was more than just a pet; he was a part of the family. While the book is not marketed for children, I do think it is suited to those that are a little older and dealing with the impending or recent loss of a family pet. All animal lovers, especially those with a canine companion that they could not imagine their lives without, will be moved by Hunter's story in "My Lucky Dog," by Mellon Tytell.



2. We bought this book because the lucky dog bears an uncanny resemblance to our own aged hound. I've now purchased three more copies as gifts for the dog lovers in my life, and will no doubt continue to give it as a gift in the future! The photographs are beautiful and funny and moving by turn. Most important, they capture the spirit of the love that we feel for our dogs, and the joy they bring to our lives. This book is a MUST for any dog lover. As it happens, our dog who so resembles Hunter, is terminally ill. This book has been a comfort for our family. I've especially appreciated being able to read it with my children.



3. My Lucky Dog is a great book. The photography is fenamenal and the story almost made me cry. It is written really well and I think dog lovers like myself will really enjoy this book.
   
   Alix Pamphilon
   9 yr. old
   Brooklyn resident



4. This is a beautifully composed story. I love the way Mellon puts nature and Hunter together as one. I see my dog in a way I never thought of before. I highly recommend to all and you don't have to be a dog lover to enjoy!!!



5. Clearly this book is appreciated by adults but as a school librarian, I can see several applications for using this beautiful book with children. Firstly, of course, it will have huge appeal to children who love dogs, of which there is a sizable number. Secondly, it is a wonderful celebration of life, from birth to death and could be used by an adult to guide a child through an understanding of the life cycle or as a comforting tool for a bereaved child. Lastly, I can see it being a terrific template for a student photography project, giving them ideas for how they can move beyond standard snaps of their pets to show something essential or worth honoring about their animal.

1 comments about The Chimpanzees of Gombe: Patterns of Behavior.

1. Jane Goodall has written a wonderful resource for anyone interested in primate behavior. This book covers every aspect of chimpanzee behavior from feeding, social structure, individual chimp bios, chimp warfare, and everything else you could ever want to know. If you're interested in chimpanzee behavior, then this book is a must read!

5 comments about Agility Training: The Fun Sport for All Dogs (Howell Reference Books).

1. With years of experience in training working dogs, I have decided to try Agility for a break in the routine! I thought this book would be good, but, alas, it is way behind in training techniques. I was quite put off by the mis-information, and in some cases, harmful information given. Very dissapointing. The author probably does have great depth of knowledge on the subject, but needs to attend a few up to date classes in dog communication, Operant Conditioning, or training in drive (all quite simular in application) and then re-write the book.



2. As a beginner I found this book VERY helpful. It is excellently written in a down-to-earth manner, with tips and hints for the greenest of dog/handler teams. It covers all of the basics such as what your dog should know BEFORE you train agility, how to train obstacles, basic right/left-hand turns, and even goes on into obstacle "proofing" and a few more intermediate level topics. As always, Jane Simmons-Moake made sure that you can't fail by putting in tips on "what to do if your dog..." and a very helpful obstacle-building section which is especially nice for those who have high goals. It is an essential book for any agility lover, especially those looking for an introduction to the most fun thing you can do with your canine pal!



3. I wanted to get my dog into agility (an unfortunate accident prevented that). But, this was a good book for both reference and training in the sport. I'm still hoping to get a dog involved in agility. When I do, I'll use this book



4. This book contains good information for both the beginner and the experienced competitor. It explains the obstacles well (it even shows you how to make professional obstacle yourself!) and covers everything from the organizations to the competitions. It also included (which I found fun) some examples of courses and sequences to practice with. The only flaw I found was that it was a bit dated, like using wood instead of PVC and street addresses to the organizations, but no emails or web sites. Awesome book overall, though.



5. This book certainly offers a good jump start for beginners but if you're beyond the introductory level there's not much you can learn here. The focus is very much on teaching your dog how to navigate obstacles but there's little on advanced handling techniques and how to practice them.

   The section on building your own equipment looks quite good but for people like me who can hardly handle a hammer it's probably better (and less nerve wrecking) to simply shell out the money and order ready-to-use equipment.

2 comments about Understanding Showmanship: Everything You Need to Know to Win in Showmanship Classes.

1. A very comprehensive approach to showmanship. I have asked that the youth in my 4-H group purchase this book. I am using it to help in teaching showmanship.



2. Showmanship was something I never understood when I was growing up. It seemed like it was unspoken gospel. People told me that this was the way to do things and that was forbidden in showmanship classes, but still I never really understood why. Finally now I have a concise guide to every question my students can ask me about this mysterious and until now dreaded class!!