3 comments about Brussels Griffon: A Complete and Reliable Handbook (Rare Breed).

1. What an insult to Griff breeders this book is. It is written by a writer who writes a lot of books about dogs, but he obviously never owned a Griff. The Griff has very special characteristics and needs, which the writer does not know. He probably used the same material to write about every other breed of dog, but Griffs are not just like other dogs.
   Skip this book. The only good Griff book is by Doone Raynham but hard to get.



2. The "Brussels Griffon A Complete and Reliable Handbook" does not contain ANY USEFUL/VALUABLE information about the Breed AT ALL, just generally instructs you on how to raise a puppy which can be found in any other book (i.e. "HOW TO RAISE A PERFECT PUPPY" will also do the trick as it's just as NON-SPECIFIC about the Breed as "Brussels Griffon A Complete and Reliable Handbook")........WASTE OF PURCHASE.....NO MATTER HOW CHEAP IT'S BEING SOLD FOR..........the only reason I gave it a rating of "1 star" was that was the LOWEST RATING AVAIL...



3. This book is one of a "breed" series by these well-known dog-subject publishers. Although it is beautifully produced with great photos, it contains several errors about Brussels Griffons probably due its generic, cookie-cutter format wherein much text is applicable to ANY breed. Also the book is filled with advertising for various dog foods & products which I, for one, resent.

1 comments about Harnessing Up (Allen Photographic Guides).

1. I was disappointed when I received this book as it was so thin! It is more of a pamphlet than a book. There are nice pictures, but they get out of order now and then which is confusing, and it is written with very British terminology. This book does not give you enough information to harness up, though it did have a few helpful hints. Also, there were no descriptions on the different parts of the harness until the last page, which had a poorly drawn diagram. Save your money.

5 comments about Millie's Book: As Dictated to Barbara Bush.

1. I was so very surprised when I opened the book. There was so much more to this book than I was expecting. I enjoyed so much the Millie point of view, seeing the puppies, finding out how they all found homes, and even the Queen of England and Jordanian Royalty met the puppies or at least some of them. Lovely book to read over and over. It really did show a real side to the presidential family of the day.



2. Well told as through a dog's point of view. Fun book to share with family. Enjoyed looking at the pictures, also.



3. I ran across this book that I had bought a few years ago and once again was fully entertained by it. We have a Springer Spaniel also, so that made it even more enjoyable. The pictures are fantastic! The story was adorable and gave us a look at how hard life in the White House is for a well loved pet. :) Give it a look, I think you will enjoy.



4. This book has WONDERFUL pictures of Millie inside and outside of the White House. It is wonderful to see pictures of President Bush laying on the grass with puppies climbing all over him. It reminds us that Presidents are human too.



5. This is a great book featuring the late Millie Bush.

   Former President George Bush Sr.'s Springer Spaniel

   It shows Millie with various politicians and famous people.

4 comments about A Friend Like No Other: Life Lessons from the Dogs We Love.

1. My daughter brought this book home from her library at school. The minute I opened the book, I was in love. The illustrations are beautiful. This book makes you smile from beginning to end. This is a must for every dog lover. I bought one for myself and one for the only other person I know that loves dogs as much as me......my boyfriend's mother who recently lost her best friend of 15 years (her dog, Barney).



2. This book touched my heart when I saw it on a desk of a co worker it was a wonderful gift for my husband. What a touching wonderful book with beautiful illustrations, a must read for anyone.



3. A rare gem, indeed! Lamb's paintings are truly exquisite, capturing the soul of the animals like no others I have ever seen. His studies of puppies in various settings are vibrant and alive in a way that is difficult to describe. They must be seen to understand. Jim Lamb is to paintings of Dogs as Thomas Kincaid is to landscapes, at the very least. Wright's collection of quotes, verses, anecdotes and facts is marvelous. I was moved to tears repeatedly while browsing through this book. It looks, at first glance, like a children's book, but just a few moments between the covers of this jewel will prove an uplifting experience. Wright has truly captured the essence of the spirituality inherent in our relationship with these noble animals. This book is an absolute must for the library of any true dog lover.



4. Everyone thinks their relationahip with their dog is unique and very special. How wonderful to know that many such relationships exist! For a dog lover, this book is a real treasure. The stories, as well as the illustrations, are charming and very heartwarming. A wonderful gift for anyone who has experienced this bond. Highly recommend!

1 comments about The Labrador Retriever.

1. This book is written in an easy to understand manner and is a MUST HAVE for any lab owner. If you are involved with showing, competing and thinking about breeding, you NEED this book. One of the best that I have read on the subject.

5 comments about Squirrels at My Window: Life With a Remarkable Gang of Urban Squirrels.

1. Unique perspective of city-dweller's experiences with visiting squirrels over a number of years. Well worth a read.



2. Grace Spruch and her husband Larry, both physics professors, moved into a Greenwich Village apartment in 1970. For ten years Grace kept a journal of the observations she made about the squirrels that visited them for daily handouts of nuts. Looking for a book with drama, romance, suspense, and excitement? Look elsewhere. But if you want to read a wonderful account of a rodent-loving woman's interactions with a charming gang of furry individuals, check this book out.



3. I loved this book so much! Since I have moved from Pennsylvania to Australia I have missed squirrels very much. They are such beautiful and resourceful creatures yet we seem to know so little about them. Grace's story of her experiences with her neighbourhood squirrels will delight any animal lover. She has a unique perspective and writing style which is intelligent yet appreciative of the little critters. I really loved her wonderful accounts of which squirrels prefer which nuts and how they choose between them.
   
   Highly recommended!



4. This book is such a gem, easily one of the best books I've read in a long time. It's informative, funny, and written with a very sensitive eye. You really do get to know (and love) each of the memorable characters that visited the author over the years. All the while, you learn a lot of fascinating things about squirrels and how they behave.

   I was a little worried when I ordered the book that the author might turn out to be a little too eccentric... you know, a strange "squirrel lady," but she's not at all like that. She's a university professor and a surprisingly good writer who just loves animals and is fearless enough to invite them into her home.

   My favorite part was the very funny section where the author takes one of the squirrels to the dentist because of a problem with his lower front teeth.




5. I loved this book, and not just because I love squirrels. This is a wonderful account of one womans life with her urban squirrel friends in NYC. Having just been to Washington Square Park where the book takes place I can see how these squirrels became so dependant on the kindness of others. This is a great book for those who may not be fans of the squirrel, but who would at least appreciate a good story and like animals. I have been recommending this one to a lot of people I know just for a change of pace in their normal reading, so go get a copy, but don't bury somewhere where you can't find it again.

3 comments about All God's Creatures: The Blessing of Animal Companionship.

1. The book was a wonderful way of enforcing the love we feel toward the animals we live with and the love from God toward us all.



2. A rich and practical guide to reflecting on our relationship with the creatures who share our households, All God's Creatures is well-grounded theologically. At the same time, Debra Farrington has provided a wealth of practices and prayers for allowing us to see these animal companions as sacramental signs of God's own work and mercy. She invites us--urges us--to move beyond romanticized notions of "having a pet" and calls us to see the inherently holy connections between people and the animals who share our lives.
   
   I have already given this book to six other people, and have found it to be a needed resource.



3. Reading this book has not only changed how we treat the cats and goldfish who share our home, it has changed the conversations in our house with and about our animal companions. When my six-year-old asked about getting a hamster, I told her it is a big decision to invite another animal into our home. I would never have begun the conversation this way before reading Debra Farrington's book.
   
   This is a sound theological, practical and engaging examination of our relationship with the animals we invite into our homes, covering everything from naming to feeding to playing. The book also offers ways to be with aniamls who are sick or dying and includes rituals for burial. I'm planning on giving it to most everyone on my Christmas list!

5 comments about The Ultimate Guide to Dog Training.

1. Uncle Mattie is a creep. I believe that dogs need training and different dogs need different things. I have 3 beautiful dachshunds. My older dachsie has back trouble and seisures. This is all part of what we think is bad breeding as the other 2 from different litters have zero health problems. My little girl is the sweetest thing in the world and so very well behaved. She would never bite and she is so patient and tolerant. Before I knew that she was having seisures at night, I discussed the problem with Uncle Mattie, (the creep) and he wanted me to fly my dog out to him so he could do some bruital training, (in his own words)with the dog. He stated that the dog was vicious and would get worse. What a creep. This dog would never hurt anyone or anything. What a putz! If I'd done what he asked I would have had to put the dog down. What a creep. OH yeah, and he said about 10 times, I should buy his book. IN HIS DREAMS!



2. While I agree with some of the other reviewers that much of "Uncle Matty's" irritatingly stupid cliental dialog could have been left out, the training concepts offered in this book between it all DO work.



3. I am glad this book was purchased at a discount because it is so painful to read. The information is good, but it is presented in such a way as to drive off any thinking person. The book is written as a set of dialogs between "Uncle Matty" Margolis and his irritatingly stupid students. If these are real people, it is scary to think that they might be allowed to vote and drive cars. I found myself focusing on this aspect more than listening to what Mr. Margolis had to say in each lesson, which when one takes out the dialog, are actually pretty helpful. I suppose the problem is that once you've written one dog training book, there's not much else you can say on the subject. However, "Uncle Matty" needs to keep writing books (it's a living), and this is the result.



4. I was in a hurry when I chose this book, now I wish I'd spent a little more time flipping through it. Each section begins with dialogue between Matty and the people/dogs he is working with. That part is completely pointless, and not even entertaining to me. Finally I realized I could skip half of each chapter to get to the meat. Still though, there is pointless ad-libbing through the actually instructions! By skipping, it only took me 45 minutes to get through this book. If you can manage that, there is some usefull advice. However, for such a thick book, I was very surprised that it only covered basic commands. I am still a little confused about how to train my dog! Definately not worthy of "The Ultimate Guide.." title.



5. The writing style was nauseating and it certainly isn't the ultimate guide to dog training.

   Not worth buying

No comments about You Bake 'Em Scooby Snacks.

5 comments about Bettas.

1. I agree with the other reviewers. This book is great for breeders and it is interesting, but holds little educational value for someone who just wants to improve the life of their betta pet. I was disappointed.



2. This book is definetly not for begginers. It has a lot of technical information that is virtually useless to to the begginer and average pet owner. I'm sure I would give it a 5 star rating if I were a breeder, but I'm not. Save your money and look for another book if you are a begginer to keeping Bettas.



3. While this book is labled the "complete pet owner's manual" it does not deal with the practicalities of owning a betta. As a person who is a new owner looking for the basics, this book was too academic and had too much infomation. I did enjoy reading the history behind the betta fish and that was about it. This book is great for someone looking to breed and keep and sell bettas, but for us humble pet owners it does not give the needed basic information for daily care.



4. This wonderful book has heaps of information about the various bubblenesting and mouthbrooding betta species groups. It covers the selection of bettas, their housing (the 2001 edition has a chapter on Tanks for Bettas), feeding, breeding, genetics (covering stuff like Betta Genes and the Punnet Square), as well as the prevention, identification and treatment of common betta diseases (environmental, chemical and infectious). It is indeed a great source of in-depth information about bettas and a complete pet owner's manual.



5. This is a pretty book: lots of gorgeous color photos of gorgeous Siamese fighting fish ("Bettas") and glossy pages. That's its main, and only, selling point.
   
   Unfortunately, the info contained is mainly academic filler which is badly organized so that it's difficult to skim through and find the more practical bits, such as: 1. how often and how much to feed these fish, 2. how a Betta would do if mixed in with other fish in a large aquarium (answer: badly), 3. how often the water should be changed if a Betta is kept in a small filtration-less container of 1 gallon or less, 4. most common types of commerical food and which ones are better, etc. I could go on and on, but you get the idea.
   
   Thankfully, Petsmart has a liberal return policy...this one's going back pronto!