5 comments about First Aid For Birds: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet.

1. Two weeks ago on a Saturday morning, I found blood all over one of my Cockatiels. I now know that he had pecked at a feather abscess which had burst and splattered its contents everywhere. THE COMPLETE BIRD OWNER'S HANDBOOK by Gallerstein provided me with the information I needed so that I could determine if the bleeding was life-threatening (such as a broken blood feather), and whether I could treat it. This information allowed me to wait until the following Monday to have my bird seen by a bird vet who performed surgery on the cyst and ran several tests (biopsy, etc. to make sure it was not something that would kill my other birds) -- thus a $300+ vet bill instead of something much worse in at emergency service. I bought FIRST AID FOR BOOKS after this incident thinking it would provide me with additional insight into bird health situations, but it does not. Though more accessible, FIRST AID is a synopsis of some of the more common crises discussed in the larger book by Gallerstein.
   
   In FIRST AID FOR BIRDS, Julie Rach and Gary Gallerstein explain that their book addressed the immediate steps to take in selected health crises (no feather abscesses here). Each topic covered is divided into several parts: the crises (for example fracture), the signs (leg hanging at a funny angle), home treatment (confine bird....), Veterinary treatment. (The book will help the bird owner figure out some steps to take in a selected crises, but the owner should read the larger Gallerstein book before a crises arises.
   
   FIRST AID deals with some of the more common upsets covered in any good bird book, so I did not find any information I did not already have on hand, except a list of possible sources of lead poisoning including items like curtain weights - and believe me I am not going to try to figure out what poisoned my bird if he or she acts as if poison is at work, I am going to seek medical help immediately.
   
   FIRST AID (the book) is mostly about prevention - how to follow a proper diet and eschew household hazards. As I already had a good deal of this information on hand in other sources, I found this book disappointing. It would have been more useful if it had provided me with "triage" information to address various crises, i.e. what do you look for in a bleeding bird, i.e., what signs help you determine if bleeding is the result of a broken blood feather, an abscess (I had never seen a feather abscess), or something else, and what to do in each case.
   
   HOLISTIC CARE FOR BIRDS by McCluggage and Higdon addresses home remedies as well as preventative measures and is thus acts as a complentary book with much greater detail on the home remedies offered in FIRST AID. Gallerstein's larger book includes photographs of pus filled abscesses and other groovy stuff, so you will want to buy all three books if you can, but FIRST AID FOR BIRDS will get you started.



2. Most of the information in this book was right on for treating avian injuries. It had good suggestions for preparing an emergency kit and for acquainting a pet lover of what situations may arise when their bird is injured.

   However, one piece of information was very very wrong and it upset me to read it in an otherwise fine piece of avian literature. On page 112 it advocates packing a blood feather with styptic powder which is painful for the bird because styptic powder should NEVER be applied to live tissue. This worries me because there might be other errors in the text that may ultimately be painful, dangerous, or even deadly to a pet bird.

   This book is OK for reading through to familiarize yourself with bird injuries and how to treat them, but because it lacks a detailed index and a scant chapter listing, it may not be helpful in an emergency unless you have dog-eared the book for your bird's most frequent health issues. It is also a poor reference for this reason.

   However, compared to relying on unreliable websites, this book is arguably a better option.




3. This book is a must-have for all bird owners! Buy and read it to familiarize yourself with first aid procedures and then stash it as a quick reference if your bird should fall ill or have an accident. This book is a well-organized reference for what you can do to help stabilize your bird before you go to the vet in an emergency. It also tells you what problems are emergencies and must be treated without delay and what problems can wait a day or two.



4. Accidents and illness do happen to birds, be preparded and know what to do should someting happen to you pet bird. This book is loaded with helpfull information.



5. This is an excellent book. It gives first-aid kit suggestions, discusses normal bird health, and gives a list of symptoms with suggested treatments and when to call the vet. Our local library has this book and I found it very helpful. It is in a series of pet books, all of which are pretty good. A great addition to any bird-owner or bird-lover's library!

1 comments about Dog Scooter - The Sport for Dogs Who Love to Run.

1. Interesting, fun, easy to read style and lots of great pictures, along with step by step training plan, makes this a terrific book. After reading this, I went out and bought a scooter!

3 comments about Robinson's Genetics for Cat Breeders and Veterinarians.

1. it was on back order from another place, i finally got it and its this little book......not worth the wait, was upset about all the stuff i knew already was in it, it was supposed to be this great book......if you already have an understanding for genetics and diseases then dont bother paying for this book. for the novice person, its a little over whelming i think....informational for them but not for me.



2. The authors of Robinsons' Genetics for Cat Breeders and veterinarains are two breeders who have written on breeding and showing (Vella and McGonagle), a geneticist (Shelton) and a practicing veterinarian (Stanglein). This book simply and directly covers the subject of genetics, incorporating the lastest scientific advances, while at the same time reflecting the practical knowledge of experienced breeders.

   The whole subject of genetics is covered: principles of heredity; breeding systems and inbreeding; coat and color inheritance; color variations; breeds; and genetic anomolies. The heart of this book is the material on breeding systems and practices, and selective breeding and inbreeding. The evaluation of cats for breeding purposes and comparisons between possible mates are explored in considerable depth. The chapter on genetic anomolies is up-to-date and quite comprehensive.

   The new Fourth Edition is good news for all serious fanciers. Not only does it continue Robinson's work, it actually makes the best guide to feline genetics better!




3. This is a very straightforward book which details every aspect of feline genetics. It is very readable and informative on the facts and also on breeding theories. The writers coming from four different disciplines is helpful, along with a glossary which explains the terminology. It would be a very good investment for an experienced person or novice breeder (me).

1 comments about Academic Equitation.

1. Academic Equitation by Albert Eugene Edouard Decarpentry (1878-1956) is a masterful piece by a classical dressage rider. The man who brought us the axiom "When hands, no legs; when legs, no hands." This is one of my most favorite dressage books. I own a previous edition of this masterpiece. General Decarpentry (a Colonel in the French cavalry when he wrote his other excellent book, Piaffer and Passage) rode at the French Dressage School of Saumur. He served in the Federation Equestre International (FEI). Although a follower of Baucher, Decarpentry taught his horses to move forward with impulsion. Besides being a practitioner, Decarpentry was thoroughly acquainted with the teachings of other dressage masters, and in my opinion, his contributions to dressage are as important as those of any of the masters. As an avid reader myself, owner of an extensive dressage library, and am the author of A Passion for Dressage (a free on-line publication on classical dressage http://pages.sbcglobal.net/bielikov/dressage/), I list Academic Equitation in my short list of the best 6 dressage books ever, along with works of Podhajsky, Seuning, and Klimke. I give this book five stars! --[...]

5 comments about The Guide to Owning a Jack Russell Terrier (The Guide to Owning Series).

1. Doesn't really help you unless you really know nothing about jack russels and don't need it solely for making girls gawk at pictures at cute puppies...



2. My next door neighbor (not the paranoiac, the other one) got this book cheap and tried to use it in the maintenance of his BEAGLE. He wound up killing the animal. They should put a disclaimer on the book:
   THIS IS ONLY GOOD FOR JACK RUSSELL TERRIERS.
   DO NOT USE FOR BEAGLES.
   At least it doesn't bark all night, now.



3. This book reads like a VCR manual and does not offer anymore information that you could not get online. Do yourself a favor and do a quick search online and save your money.



4. It is a very good book. It has alot of good pictures.It is a very good book when it comes to how to take care of a JRT.



5. I have been reseaching Jack Russell Terriers through many different sources. I found this book to be very accurate regarding information I have been able to gather, validating previously gathered information. The book also contains quite a bit of information about the different aspects of owning a Jack Russell (i.e. choosing, feeding, training, temperament, and breed standards). I am sure I will refer to this book often. It is easy to read with many pictures. I loved it.

5 comments about Born Free: A LIONESS OF TWO WORLDS.

1. Born Free
   Joy Adamson
   1960
   ISBN: 0-375-71438-3
   196 pages
   
   When Elsa's natural instincts soften, reality becomes harder and harder to face.
   After a young lioness has been raised and transformed from fierce predator to loving house
   cat by her owner Joy, the thought of releasing Elsa into the wild seems to be the greatest
   challenge the two have had to face.
   Born Free is a true story about a woman ,Joy, and a lioness ,Elsa. Joy's husband
   was a game warden in Africa, so the two went on many safaris together. During one of these
   safaris, they find three orphaned lion cubs and decide to raise and take care of them during
   their cub life. The day finally arrives when the cubs are to be shipped to a European zoo,
   and Joy just cannot part with the smallest cub, Elsa. Elsa stays with the two of them and
   becomes part of the family for many months. Between all of the fun and
   suspense, the truth of the matter finally reveals itself. Elsa, though removed of all the natural
   instincts she needs to survive, must soon be permanently released into the wild.
   Filled with laughter and excitement, Born Free is a terrific bittersweet adventure,
   giving people the ability to learn about a miraculous breakthrough in human and animal
   interaction. This book is a timeless classic that you can read again
   and again.
   By: Amy Schmidt
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   



2. Animals have always been a favorite topic of mine, but as a young person who just happened to find a copy of this book some 39 years ago, with the cover torn off, I consider it one of the great discoveries of my life. It was summertime, and I was headed to the 7th grade. I wasn't much of a reader until that momentous day. The story of Elsa and the Adamsons totally transported me to another place, and many wondrous adventures in Africa. Due much to this book, I now am a voracious reader. The story is heartwarming, and is the reason I insisted my 7th grade son read it for his current book report.
   
   Whether you're 9 or 99, Elsa's antics and her loving bond with Joy and George will capture your heart. I guarantee it. And with Africa's Lion population dwindling to probably less than 30,000 today, I can't think of a more timely book, in honour of conserving their remaining habitat. Especially when one considers that Africa had over 100,000 Lions when I first read it.



3. This book touched my heart, to actually realize how one woman could bome so close to animals that we look at and call beasts. The compassion that one woman had is enough to change they way you may think about how we live. And once you read this book, dont forget that it is a true story. After seeing what Joyce had done wither her love for animals, any dream can come true.



4. This book is one of my favorites. This book tells you the story of a bond between a hunan and a lioness. This is a great book because it shows you a different side of wild animals and the way they live. When you read it, you will get the excitement as if you are along on the safari with them!



5. My first introduction to the Born Free books when I was a child learning to read in school. And what a great introduction to reading it was. The story of Elsa and the Adamsons who saved her life as a cub along with her sisters and raised her brought me into a world of wanting to be there with all the animals and see Africa. This seemed to be treated more as a children's book in my time than an adult book. The idea of the book was to teach people the importance of environmental conservation awareness. The first book, tells Elsa's early life from a cub raised by Joy and George Adamson and their pet rock hyrax, Pati. Joy is Elsa's surrogate mom and with great pains to teach Elsa the skills to survive in the wild. With lots of work Joy did it with success that Elsa was capable of living in the wild again. They released her near her birthplace and hoping Elsa would find and connect with her pride-in which she did. There is the tragedy not long afterward I had read this amazing story that Elsa had died in the Kenya bush of disease. Something of life that I learned early in my life that it was reality in the wilds of Africa or anywhere for that matter. But the cycle of life lives on in Elsa's pride. Still another grim incident ended the lives of Joy and George Adamson. Both were found murdered.
   

   
   Joy Adamson has left behind a legacy of these fascinating books that moves us to treat our world with respect and have a better understanding between human-animal relationship. Joy Adamson before her death had also written, 'Living Free: Elsa and her Cubs' and 'Forever Free: Elsa's Pride.' Her family extended even further across the grasslands of Africa as she tells about them in her other books, 'The Spotted Sphinx' (about Pippa the Cheetah), 'Pippa's Challenge,' 'Pippa: The Cheetah and her Cubs,' 'Queen of Shaba: The Story of an African Leopard,' and 'Friends of the Forest.' Joy Adamson's book 'Peoples of Kenya' reflects upon the life of the Kenyan people, her concern for the people welfare there and their struggles to make an existence in a harsh, beautiful land. If you want to know more about Joy Adamson read her autobiography, 'The Searching Spirit.'

2 comments about The Miniature Schnauzer (Terra Nova Series).

1. While the book is attractive with many nice pictures, the content is somewhat basic and limited. Had hoped for more advanced training procedures and the enclosed CD did not provide much help.



2. This is my third book on the Min. Schnauzer. It is simple, adequate, and comprehensive concerning the Min. Schnauzer. The other two books were too in depth and neither was fully comprehensive like this one. This should be the first book and then build on it. Also a must for any dog owner is "How To Talk With Your Dog"(Auth.-David Alderton). Both Simple and very enjoyable reads with plenty of adequate knowledge. Both should be read prior to or immediatly following bringing these intelligent, loving, and precious animals into your live. My Miniature Schnauzer is the most comforting, loving, intelligent, easy to train dog I've ever seen or owned. It is a very warming and fulfilling experience. This is not an outdoor dog. He needs loving care and brushing every day. It is sooo worth it.

3 comments about Healing Power of Horses: Lessons From the Lakota Indians.

1. Very nice book. Beautiful pictures and stories of real people.
   If you love people and horses this is well worth reading.



2. There is very little in this book about the healing power of horses.
   
   Donna Carlow, the one Lakota who overcame a horse riding injury, recovered with the support of the Lakota community; because they value horses in their culture more than Anglos. At least that is Wendy Baker's take on Donna's healing. She doesn't attribute it to the horses; she attributes Donna's healing to the Lakota culture and the Lakota community.
   
   The book concentrates on 9 Lakota Indians and 3 Lakota families and their stories about the importance of the horse in Lakota culture.
   
   It's by no means a comprehensive book; it's primarily a picture book with stories. And it isn't about the healing power of horses in the Lakota culture.
   
   Many people believe that there is a real spiritual and a healing connection between horses and humans, but this book is not a source for that information.



3. Wendy Baker's book is an uplifting story of her own recovery from a riding accident and how she overcomes fear and disability to reconnect with the joy and power of the horse. Wendy has shown how the Lakota Indians have rebuilt the spiritual bridge to their own equestrian roots with parallel stories of healing and strength. I enjoyed getting to know the individuals Wendy profiled, and reading about their courage, as well as hers. The book is informative, well-written, and the photographs are worth the price of the book in themselves.

1 comments about Cardigan Welsh Corgi (Comprehensive Owners Guide).

1. If you want to learn more about the Cardigan, or already love this wonderfull breed, you will like this book. So many breed books read like a generic dog book where only the breed name and pictures are changed. Information tends to apply to any dog. Not this one; it reads as if every word was written by someone who loves Cardigans. It is comprehensive and objective enough to help a potential Cardigan owner make a good decision and raise their dog well without boring you with too many things any dog lover would already know. Even the training and care sections are breed specific, taking into account the unique temprament of this dog.

5 comments about Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: A Complete and Reliable Handbook (Rare Breed).

1. It is a nice introduction to the Swissy with beautiful photos. The book, however, reads like a brochure. It is inappropriately priced in the textbook range, which it is not (not worth more than $30). The book is superficial and could greatly benefit from some more detailed information. That being said, it does cover some general topics nicely.



2. Great book with lots of personal input by Mr. Barton. I was not sure what to expect when I got my pup other than what I saw on the internet and what the breeder told me. It was all pretty on target, but in this book, Mr. Barton introduces more subtle and intersting accounts of the characteristics of the breed and now I can see all this dveloping in my own Swissy. ...



3. I just purchased my third copy of this book. Once I loan my copy out to friends or family, it disappears! I'm not telling anyone else I have a new copy! So obviously it is a VERY interesting and informative book. I agree with one of the previous reviewers however. When will you be writing another book?!? Thanks for the information you provide without boring us with unnecessary details.



4. I really enjoy this book, I wish it was longer, my 2 yr old daughter loved all the colorful pictures of the puppies and dogs. Very informative, and helpful.



5. This is a very informative book. From the history, selecting a breeder, feeding and training. It's a must have for any "swissy" owner. The photos are terrific and I can't think of a thing that Mr. Barton has left out!