No comments about Horse Breeds: 65 Popular Horse, Pony & Draft Horse Breeds.

No comments about The Ultimate Hunting Dog Reference Book: A Comprehensive Guide to More than 60 Sporting Breeds.

1 comments about The Interpet Encyclopedia of Freshwater Tropical Aquarium Fishes.

1. 
   An encyclopedia it is not, but it is a good honest little book that will help you through the problems that you may encounter with keeping tropical fish. If you follow the rules in this book you should encounter very few problems, but all fish-keepers have an occasional problem. Whether that be fish that do not get on together, or a case of white spot (a disease that can affect tropical fish, usually if they have a sudden change of water temperature. This disease can easily be cured by the introduction of a `medicine' that can be put into the water and is available from your tropical fish supplier.
   
   Another point is that like humans not all fish get on with one another and this book will help you to ensure that all the inhabitants of your tank get on well together.. The book features over 200 fish popular with tropical fish keepers and although I have not counted them the blurb says that there are 500 colour photographs.
   
   As I said at the beginning, not an encyclopedia but a book that is well written, by people who know what they are talking about, with lots of information for both the beginner and those who have kept fish for some time. There is always that snippet of information that has gone to the back of the mind of even the most competent of tropical fish hobbyists.

No comments about What Fish? A Buyer's Guide to Marine Fish: Essential Information to Help You Choose the Right Fish for Your Marine Aquarium (What Pet? Books).

2 comments about Kinship with Animals: Updated Edition.

1. This book will make you laugh and cry, and will keep you mesmerized until the last page. But more than that, it will make you think and rethink. It will challenge the reader to consider new ways of looking at the intelligent life that surrounds us, and to realize that these other beings are more like us (or we are more like them) than we are often willing to admit, even though this truth should be self evident. Long after you have read the book, you will be thinking about it and talking about it. In this day and age, that is a rare quality indeed. I rate this as one of the more important books of our time, and I predict that the concepts presented in the book are the beginning of a new way of thinking that will eventually prevail, making our current thinking look primitive in retrospect.



2. I rate this a five on the basis of the importance of having people from such different walks of life telling essentially the same story in their own unique way. Solisti and Tobias have put together a compendium of tales that illustrate the individual dilemma that each one of us face at this moment in time. Whether approached from a scientific, spiritual, moral or uniquely personal view, the need to make a personal choice regarding one's relationship with one's context is one that those privileged enough to be able to read and buy books are faced with in this important time in history. Books reviewed in times to come will reflect such choices. The heavy responsibility that each of us carries is well illustrated in this book.

5 comments about The Arabian: A Guide for Owners.

1. If I bought only one book about Arabians, this would be it. What I like best about this book are the pictures of foundation sires of the past and influential stallions of more recent years. The reader does have to keep in mind that the book was published 20 years ago, so a lot of modern stallions won't be included. This is a great book that covers every subject in detail and has some really good conformation drawings that show you what is and is not desirable.



2. As an Arabian horse breeder, I have had this book for years and always recommend it to any new owners of an Arabian horse. There is a lot of overall general horse information as well as highlights on historical breeding programs, Arabian conformation, showing basics, building/fencing etc. This is a real "How to..." book.



3. I am a first time Arab owner and have found this book to be invaluable. Geared toward the Arab breed, Sharon included many topics in her book that can be used for any breed. From confirmation and breeding to the best halter to show off your horses head and how to train your horse how to hold that "Arab pose". There is so much to learn from this book for everyone from the backyard owner to the professional trainer/show person.



4. This book is absolutely the best book I have ever read about the Arabian Horse.I am a small Bask line breeder and this is my reference book, I have two copies,one I use on a daily basis, and one I purchased to keep because it is signed by Sharon Byford and I will treasure it always.



5. This is an excellent book for the Arabian horse owner; both the novice horse owner, for which this is a MUST and the experienced horse owner, form whom this provides excellent back to basics. The author's knowledge of the Arabian horse and her obvious pleasure at living amongst them generates enthusiasam for the reader and encourages capable, caring horsemanship. Illustrations and photos are nicely balanced with text, rich in history of the Arabian horse, foundation bloodlines, proper conformation, tips on grooming, feed, trailering, showing, behaviour, selecting veterinarians, and much, much more.

5 comments about Parakeets (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

1. I had thought that I knew a lot about the care and feeding of parakeets, this book showed me much more.



2. Some of the information is great, but it still left me with questions. So the title "A Complete Pet Owner's Manual" is misleading.
   It does have good information on diet and health and exercise.
   But it seems like an overview. But I was looking for more than an overview. The title should be "Parakeets, an overview for the new owner" More details please!



3. I LOVE this BOOK! It is quite informative. I do wish to obtain additional books on parakeets.
   
   I wish these books had been around when I was growing up! i LOVE these animals. Their so cretive and unique in their own little ways thought they really are n ot small at all!
   Thanak you.



4. Authored by Annette Wolter, this manual on parakeets was published in 1999. There are 87 pages. Eight chapters are contained. Numerous color photos and black-and-white drawings are provided. Also, an index is included. The anecdotes the author supplies are informative. Examples of topics covered are tips on purchasing, bathing, care, toys, diet, health, breeding, cages, taming, teaching the parakeet how to talk, intelligence, and behavior. I find the chapter focusing on behavior to be instructive and fascinating. In addition, two tables are displayed; one deals with dangers to the parakeet, while the other deals with health problems. The color photos of the parakeets are pleasing. As for the black-and-white drawings, they are impressive and educational. I recommend this manual.



5. Unfortunately, Barron's has a tendency to publish same-subject books in both this series and in their top-of-the-line "Handbook" series, and the topic of Parakeets is no exception. They have, in fact, printed two books on Parakeets in this series (one about Budgies, which are the same species) and a Parakeet Handbook (which is co-authored by both of the writers involved in this series' books).

   Annette Wolter's style is one that is easy-to-read, but it is still quite informative. Had I not read "The Parakeet Handbook" first, I would have learned much from this book. However, as it is reasonably priced, well-written and informative, I can recommend it with few reservations.

1 comments about What Labs Teach Us: Life's Lessons Learned from Labrador Retrievers.

1. Great photos and captions that will give any lab owner much joy and laughter. Neatly organized and easy to read whether you go cover to cover or look at only one section.
   
   An excellent value!!! You will not be disappointed.

5 comments about Emergency Animal Rescue Stories: One Womans Dedication to Saving Animals from Disasters.

1. This is a great book....inspiring, diverse, a roller-coaster of emotions for me...the people who dedicate their lives to rescuing animals in disasters deserve high-praise...I live in south Florida and have been thru more hurricanes than I can count...so I understand what it takes to form a team and go into the disaster-torn area, never knowing what you will find...and these people, heroes all, do it gladly.



2. Terri Crisp is an amazing woman who inspired me and many other people to get involved in animal disaster work. She laid the groundwork for the animal disaster relief movement. Terri's dedication, in spite of vicious attacks from petty people, continues to inspire.
   
   I'm sure that mistakes were made during Katrina. That was pretty much the status quo for every relief organization involved in the effort, animal related or not. And these animal organizations, sadly, all fight against each other. I'll never understand it when they all claim to have the same goal. It is such a waste of time and resources.



3. The El Dorado Hills Telegraph
   Tuesday, April 10, 2007 11:56 AM PDT
   
   Noah's Wish, an organization devoted to helping animal disaster victims, has closed down. The non-profit is being investigated for misuse of funds. Philip Wood/The Telegraph
   Employees, volunteers open up as charity shuts down
   
   By: Cheri March
   
   El Dorado Hills-based Noah's Wish, a nonprofit organization devoted to helping animal disaster victims, has closed its doors amid an ongoing investigation by the California Attorney General.
   
   But not before many former volunteers and employees reportedly walked off the job.
   
   "I decided to leave Noah's Wish in December 2006 because I was absolutely disgusted with (founder) Terri Crisp," said Patricia Jones, former media director for the nonprofit.
   
   Jones would comment further due to the ongoing investigation by the California Attorney General.
   
   Founder Terri Crisp started Noah's Wish in 2002, but the nonprofit gained national recognition for its animal rescue efforts during Hurricane Katrina in late 2005.
   
   Former workers say there is no doubt that Noah's Wish helped animals in Slidell, Louisiana after Katrina, but allege mishandling of funds led to an investigation into founder Crisp.
   
   According to a 2005 audit, Noah's Wish generated $8 million in donations after Katrina, but spent just over $1 million on disaster relief efforts.
   
   In January 2006, Crisp told media that Noah's Wish had received only $5 million in donations.
   
   However, 2005 tax return forms stated less than $2 million of Noah's Wish funding was restricted, meaning only that amount was delegated specifically towards Katrina relief work.
   
   Because the bulk of the money was paid via PayPal, donors could not indicate how their funds were to be used-leaving spending up to the charity's discretion.
   
   Former employees pointed out Crisp's alleged lavish spending of company money: brand-new vehicles, plasma television sets for Crisp's office, and a $5,000 painting commissioned by artist Dan Rojas for the nonprofit's office.
   
   The organization has allegedly not responded to a disaster since Katrina, yet continued to solicit funds.
   
   In a letter to Noah's Wish partners dated February 2007, Crisp asked for help, calling preparing for future disasters increasingly challenging.
   
   "It's natural to assume the time to support us is during disasters, but there are funding needs everyday," she said. "In order to sustain our mission between disasters, an ongoing source of funding is imperative."
   
   Former workers also report favoritism for relatives and family friends within the organization.
   
   In late 2005, Crisp appointed her daughter Chief Operations Officer. The daughter is also listed as a board member on the group's 990. Other board members included Crisp's cousin, Crisp's daughter's fiancée, as well as another married couple.
   
   A statement on the Noah's Wish Web site said that as of March 28, Crisp was no longer associated with the group.
   
   The site also acknowledged the investigation, indicating restricted funds as a source of inquiry.
   
   "The California Attorney General has taken the position that certain funds donated to Noah's Wish during this period, and its immediate aftermath, are restricted and may only be used for the animal victims of Hurricane Katrina, rather than the animal victims of other disasters or for general disaster preparedness," the statement read.
   
   "Noah's Wish disagrees with the Attorney General's position with respect to those funds, but is working cooperatively with the Attorney General toward a timely resolution of the dispute."
   
   The nonprofit said it has set aside disputed funds and agreed not to use those funds pending final resolution of the investigation.
   
   Due to lack of funding, Noah's Wish ceased operations early this month.
   
   "As a former volunteer and employee all I can say is the public and volunteers were constantly praising Noah's Wish for being so organized, so on the ball," said a former worker who wished to remain anonymous.
   
   "If this is true, how could the organization not know the laws pertaining to non profit organizations donations?"
   
   In an email sent to staff, Crisp defended the nonprofit's spending.
   
   "So, ask yourself, if you were an organization who started to receive an avalanche of donations and it became apparent pretty soon after the mail started to arrive that there was going to be enough money to pay the expenses for that disaster, what would you do with the donations that continued to come in? Send them back? Tell people to quit sending money? This was the dilemma we faced."
   
   Phone and email messages left for Noah's Wish last week were not returned.
   
   Founder Terri Crisp could not be reached for comment.
   
   The Attorney General's office could not comment on the investigation, said an office spokeswoman.



4. Emergency Animal Rescue Stories looks at how disasters affect rescuers behind-the-scenes. I found it a particular poignant point by Terri Crisp to illustrate the enthusiasm of new volunteers in the field and the devastation felt by all rescuers when they find they cannot help every animal.
   
   I appreciated Crisp's candor in sharing her experiences with the reader. By selecting a wide variety of disasters that did not get much media attention, Terri Crisp shows how EARS responds to disasters, how they work during a disaster, and the people they encounter. I found that reading the 'human' side of things in a book for animal lovers helped me understand that in order for EARS to be successful, they have to take into account what happens to the people (both owners and the rescuers) when animals are lost, killed, or found. By the end of the book, it becomes quite obvious that the life of a rescuer is extremely hard--physically and emotionally. Whether you're an animal lover or not, you'll find from reading the book that animals affect people no matter what.
   
   Like some of the other reviewers, I was not a big fan of Crisp's writing style because the narrative voice and the dialogues seem stiff and forced for the most part. However, when she focuses on a specific rescue during a disaster, the writing smoothes itself out, and I find myself immersed in the narrative.
   
   I haven't read Out of Harm's Way yet but judging from comments by other reviewers, I suspect it focuses more on animal rescue stories which could be why it was better written. I look forward to reading it and other books by Terri published in the future.



5. While this book might not contain as many fuzzy, feel-good, heartstring-tuggers as Crisp's earlier book, Out of Harm's Way, I think her second effort measures up just as well to her first. This book features stories from disasters that didn't generate as much press and also focuses on the nitty gritty of animal rescue work- she describes some of the dangers, the politics, the risks, and the disappointments. The book isn't intended to be a bunny-hugging Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul- it serves as an eye-opening introduction to the difficult but ultimately satisfying world of animal rescue, written by a true trailblazer in the field. Recommended (and inspiring) reading for anyone considering volunteering for EARS.

2 comments about The Healing Touch of Horses: True Stories of Courage, Hope, and the Transformative Power of the Human/Equine Bond.

1. I received this book in quick shipment and the book was in excellent condition and I am enjoying it very much.



2. I thought this collection of short stories were well written, funny, inspiring and heartwarming. I have faced some serious health issues. I was particularly touched by the stories about ones health and how the bond with horses enable people to have strength and perserverance. I don't have a horse but several of my friends do and I gave each of them a copy of the book and they, too, loved it.