5 comments about 50 Ways to Train Your Cat.

1. this book was very informative. My cats were receptive to the training



2. Caution: One trick in this book is physically dangerous to your cat. Our vet said it is dangerous for a cat to stand-up on their back legs. Their hind legs can not support this activity. You will injure your cat. Please stop this trick. There are many, many other tricks cats can learn & not hurt themselves over time. PS Dog's hind legs can support standing-up - just not cats legs.



3. This book relies heavily on squirting cats with water, which is not a positive reinforcement. Also, the steps do not address problem cats that don't want to cooperate. For instance, the section on nail-clipping tells you how to clip a cat's nails, but does not address how to get a cat to accept nail clipping without fussing.



4. I found it lacking in detail, basically describing one way (positive reinforcement) used in 50 different applications. Much of the advice simply isn't practical.



5. This book seemed like most Computer books I read. Define the problem and then a procedural step by step list of how to "solve" the problem. It just seems cold, calulating and impersonal. This may work with computers, but not with something living. The book just lists the steps, and if your cat doesn't follow the steps listed, oh well.
   
   The author also seems to be streaching to reach the 50 training tips mentioned in the title as most seemed to come natural to my cats or were common sense to me.

5 comments about Walking My Dog Jane: From Valdez to Prudhoe Bay Along the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.

1. This would be a nice beach book: not to deep, reasonably well written. And some nice reflections on an Alaska that is changing, and the people who live there.



2. Even though I love Alaska and most books about it, I found this book pretty slow. I like the fact that the book tells the stories of people who live along the pipeline, but I was probably expecting more adventure...
   Therefore, it took me more than a month to finish it...
   I enjoyed the extracts about Jane and the affection he feels for her, but unfortunately they are very rare exceptions.



3. This was a good book about a fellow who decides to walk the Alaska Pipeline from Valdez to Prudhoe Bay with his Chocolate Lab, Jane. He took all summer to do it and chronicles the trip in the book. He did some research on the places he visited as well as the pipeline so it was very interesting from that point of view but also from his writing about walking, solitude, and his dog.



4. I spent my teenage years in Fairbanks and traveled from Bristol Bay to the Arctic Circle, though not even nearly as intimately and exhaustively as Ned Rozell. But luckily I found his book through a family member there who knows him. His descriptions of the landscapes, the characters, the attitudes, and even the whine of the mosquitoes all take me back to Alaska. It's absolutely true to the people and places I knew and it makes for a delightful read! Plus, I can't tell you how grateful I am to escape to the land of the midnight sun when it is 112 degrees here in central California. I hereby solemnly swear to take my kids to canoe on the Chena and pick wild blueberries on Ester Dome next summer!



5. Having traveled in Alaska, I think many others have had the desire to take a similar journey.The story was very well written as my interest was held from the moment I started reading.The author does an excellent job of telling his and Janes many adventures along the trip.It makes you fell you are right there with them.I recommend the book for anyone who has had that l ifelong desire to do something they have never found time to do.I really enjoyed the book.Made me feel I was back in Alaska.

No comments about A New Owner's Guide to Basset Hounds.

1 comments about Cat Behavior and Training: Veterinary Advice for Owners.

1. This is one the best books you can find to teach yourself how to train your cat. This book covers most of the problem behaviors that cat owners will face including improper elimination, aggression, scratching on furniture, et. This book goes into why cats behave that way and sets out simple and humane methods to correct problem behaviors.

3 comments about Canine Reproduction: A Breeder's Guide.

1. This book is the best you will find for any breeder. Whenever I have a problem or question any situation related to breeding and whelping I'll rely on this book to help me



2. This is a WONDERFUL book! It covers more than any other book on reproduction, and I won't have a litter without it by my side. I have read all the others, and they sit in my library. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS OUT OF PRINT! It is such a GREAT book! Get it if you can, wherever you can, if you ever plan to breed. What COMPLETE information, for ALL breeds.



3. Over the last ten years, my husband and I have had several Boston Terrier litters, each time we not only consulted this book, but have read it from cover to cover multiple times. Each time we seemed to learn a new technique or lesson. This book takes you from a natural conception to an artifical conception to whelping naturally to c-sections. We saved many babies because of the author's ability to write exactly what needed to be done to tube feed, bottle feed or keep the baby warm. This book is a MUST for any breeder

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

1. The book is informative, but it seems an older book, and I would have preferred a newer updated version.



2. Great book, easy read, covers a wide amount of information, good tips and advice.



3. This book has alot of pictures, it's not all that professional, but it will inform you if your a new owner to the breed. More of a family book!



4. Though not a terriblly indepth book, it does does go over some basic dog care & some training tips for German Shephers in particular.



5. This book is...small-but not too small, a little, um, little. Fine for a report, but..... maybe not for a sole source of breed info. This is (of course) my own opinion. 'Every man to his own likeing, said the old lady as she kissed the cow.' A nice start to a good library.

2 comments about It's a Zoo Out There.

1. RH is a wonderful photographer. I love her style, and hope that I can be as good as she. This is great inspiration.



2. IT'S A ZOO OUT THERE features incredible animal photography by award-winning photographer, Rachael Hale. Animal lovers will adore the pig dressed in a tutu, the cat wearing a tiara, the poodle pair lying on a bed of roses, the sleepy black kitten wearing a witch's hat...and all those puppy dog eyes.
   
   The perfect gift book to lift spirits and fill the room with ooohs and aaaahhhs all year round.

1 comments about Chow Chow (Kennel Club).

1. This is quite a good book BUT as other Breed books it dwells mainly on the young dog. It would be an improvement if there was more on the adult Chow ie. Grooming, feeding, prefered weights etc.

5 comments about Colored Atlas of Miniature Catfish: Every Species of Corydoras, Brochis & Aspidoras.

1. Colored Atlas of Miniature Catfish is a good book for the lovers of Corydoras, Brochis and Aspidoras. The book aims to give the reader help in identifying and keeping different species of the three subfamilies of the family Callichthyidae (Corydoras, Brochis and Aspidoras).
   
   The books subtitle is sadly misleading in promising to present "Every species of Corydoras, Brochis & Aspidoras", because it doesn't. The most common and usual to find for sale is there, none the less, so most readers will find "their" species mentioned.
   
   Some of the species' sections have only color drawings of the fish. The rest have photographs of varying quality, from right out terrible to fantastic.
   
   The marrows of the book, for some peculiar reason placed on the outside of the text, have a repulsive color gradient turning from red to yellow down each page. The esthetics of the book suffers under this insult to the eye. The text is in a big and easy readable font.
   
   In regards to the content, Burgess' Colored Atlas of Miniature Catfish scores better with me. Each section is built in rather similar fashion, making it easy for the reader to find what one is after in regards to each species, location; physiology/appearance; similar species; care and breeding.
   
   If you have a Callichthyidae of an unknown species, this book will probably help you determine it; I recon the book as a good by for any miniature catfish lover.



2. Greetings....this is probably the best book that you will ever read, about these wonderful cute little fish! BUT...Please note: if you have these fish in your home aquarium, make sure the cover of your aquarium is fitted so your fish cannot jump out! Cory-cats are prone to jumping and they can escape out of the smallest gap in your tank lid! Buy this book so that you may learn all about the many different kinds of miniature catfish, because they make lovely pets....Happy fishkeeping! ;>)



3. As a former manager for a large aquarium shop I purchased a lot of freshwater fish. This was one of my best and favorite reference guides for identification and information about not only the ones I ordered, but the "stow-a-ways" which sometimes sneak in!

   Great for the beginner and the experienced keeper as well and well worth the money!




4. Working as a manager in one of the largest aquarium shops in my state several years ago, I had a perfect opportunity to know and use many books. Some were excellent and others a waste of money. This book is an excellent guide to one of my favorite fish...the cat! Different types of cats are pictured in photos or detailed drawings to make identification much easier. Well worth every penny, it is a must for anyone truly interested in their care!



5. What a fantastic book! I raise corys and was looking for a book that would give me more information on specific species. This book gives a very in depth description of the spawning process for Corys in general then gives more specifics under the individual species if they differ from the "general". It includes advice about water temperature, PH, and water hardness. It is just what I was looking for and is a valuable resource for anyone who is raising corys for breeding or has them in their tanks "just for fun."

5 comments about The Well Cat Book: The Classic Comprehensive Handbook of Cat Care.

1. I'm fortunate in that Terri McGinnis has been my veterinarian for decades, and has helped me care for my cats during that time. I met her before I knew she had written a book, and when I found the book I immediately bought a copy. I've since collected the various versions as she updates them.
   
   I find that the books are very informative and most of the ills and complaints my cats have developed were described and explained in the book. Many times the information in the book was enough for me to heal minor problems at home. For other, more serious or complex problems, it was very helpful to have enough information to understand what treatments were available or why we were doing something, etc.
   
   When things get complicated I'll read up a little before a visit, and find myself reviewing afterwards. This makes it much easier to communicate at an intelligent level and understand what's going on.
   
   Dr. McGinnis is an unusually observant person -- she has an unusually good rapport with the animals. I've seen her handle and treat a hostile cat without upsetting it, where other veterinarians could not even get close. It's very impressive, and the first time I saw it I knew I wanted her to care for my kitties, and I have not been disappointed.
   
   She's also very good at explaining things both in person and in her books.
   
   If you're reading this you know medical care is not cheap for our pets. Good prevention and home care can prevent a lot of illnesses. I have a lot of books on cats, and if I could only keep one it would be this one.



2. After recently going through a mysterious illness with my 6 month-old kitten, I realized that my reference shelf is severely lacking in cat-care books. I used the Internet to research symptoms and any of the specific diseases my vet mentioned she was testing for, but despite the wealth of information available online, there is no replacement for an expertly-researched cat-care manual. The Well Cat Book is an essential component of your cat care library, which should also include some more modern titles. (It's also available used at a rock-bottom price.) There is no one size-fits-all cat manual and multiple expert opinions should always be consulted.
   
   Terri McGinnis's The Well Cat Book was originally published in 1975 and then updated in 1993. The update covers new diseases (FIP, FIV) and advanced medical techniques once reserved for humans (blood tests, urinalysis, x-rays). The manual is organized three opening sections on anatomy, preventative medicine, and diagnostic medicine, followed by sections on home medical care, breeding and reproduction, and veterinary care. McGinnis uses headings in the wide margins to guide the reader through the book, which allows the reader to rapidly locate the paragraph of interest by skimming a chapter. Numerous black and white anatomical diagrams are interspersed throughout the text, showing everything from inner organs to proper technique for retracting and trimming the claws. The book concludes with both an index of signs/symptoms and a general-purpose index.
   
   The Well Cat Book allows the cat owner to get maximum benefit out of veterinary medicine. A Well Cat owner can perform appropriate care at home and converse intelligently with their vet about symptoms and treatment. I recommend that all cat owners read this manual cover to cover to familiarize themselves with these majestic creatures. After one read, this manual can be used as a quick reference for nearly every aspect of feline development and health.



3. While there is solid medical information here, the information on cat "training" or behavior modification is appallingly outdated. The author states "most cats respond to punishment" and advocates "a spank on the rump as a last resort." Times have changed, and so have behavior modification methods when it comes to felines. Also, very little information was offered on cat psychology or behavior, which if the cat owner is not aware of can lead to unnecessary surrenders to cat shelters when the problem behavior could be modified. This may have been a good cat reference book at one time, but that time has long passed. It needs a lot of updating.



4. Looking for a reliable and helpful reference in caring for my pets, I have looked at and rejected many, many books published for the general public on dog and cat care. Most of them are so general in approach as to be next to useless.

   Dr. McGinnis' "Well Dog Book" and "Well Cat Book" are just fabulous. Every line contains meaty, solid, specific information that lets us do our best for our loving, trusting animals. Dr. McGinnis demonstrates respect not only for animals but for their guardians, too.

   I have bought many copies of both books and given them to friends, family, and animal shelters. These books went out of print but now apparently they are in a new printing! I'm not surprised -- they are really worthwhile. If you can find a copy anywhere at almost any price, it's worth it!!

   This book has been helpful so many times... I'd like to share the most dramatic. Our diabetic cat stopped eating (he usually has a great appetite), began vomiting, and stopped using the litter box. Of course, especially with a diabetic, these symptoms can mean serious problems.

   I looked in the "Well Cat Book," and found several very helpful listings in the index (when was the last time you actually found something in an index, and easily?), one of which was that it might be a hair ball.

   I took the cat immediately to the veterinarian, who mentioned several diabetes-related possible causes, such as kidney or liver problem, etc. When, thanks to what I'd read in the "Well Cat Book," I wondered aloud whether it might be a hairball, he immediately asked his assistant to x-ray the cat, and sure enough! -- that's what it was. It had entered the intestines and caused a blockage. They expelled the hair ball and the cat was fine.

   If it hadn't been for Dr. McGinnis' "Well Cat Book," the poor cat would have gone through many unnecessary procedures, and would have been given unnecessary medications, with unnecessary effects on his body and doubtless getting his diabetes out of control (and the stress on his body of that).

   Thank you so much, Dr. McGinnis!




5. still use my original 1975 edition that was bought that year, but have seen this re-issue and am glad it is back in print... it is a *must have*. over 21 years, 'the well cat book' has been the saving grace for more cats than i can remember; housepets who needed general care on up to rescuing farm cats that were involved in serious accidents (if you're not the squeamish sort)... most people don't end up in such situations, but the needed information is there.

   for the average housecat owner, you will be pleasantly suprised about how much time and $$$ will be saved at the vet on tests/ diagnostics because of the clear, common-sense and descriptive information dr. mcginnis provides.

   the really *big* bonus is a *healthy and long life* for your purry companion thanks to all the information about diet and general daily home care!