1 comments about Playmaker Polo.

1. Great as a gift for polo players and other horsemen as well. Fantastic photos and game plays. A BIG book, too.

No comments about Talk to Your Cat: How to Communicate with Your Pet.

1 comments about Siamese Cats.

1. I got this book after my Siamese cat had died and before I could find a new one. It took me 6 months to find one, and in the meantime, I spent lots of time looking at this book. It has good information and lots of wonderful color photos of all the different colors. I still look at it frequently and refer to it for general information.

5 comments about Well-Shod: A Horseshoeing Guide for Owners and Farriers.

1. Overall this is a good book but it not quite the step by step guide I was looking for regarding trimming of hooves. It is the best of two so far compared to Krolick's book which didn't help at all. Has a fair number of black & white pictures and explains the basics. B & W pictures are hard to compare to a live hoof. I've been around horses for years and worked with farriers. I want to do my own trimming. If I ever needed any shoeing, I would hire that done anyway. This book really reinforces what I know and helps to tell me partially but not completely when you can go too far on trimming such as how much hoof wall, sole, and frog can you safely cut before you have cut too much. It only has one chapter on trimming. I may get this other pictorial guide book I saw listed. I'm not sure anyone would want to take any book and try to start shoeing without some instruction by someone that knows. If I did ever want to do some shoeing on a horse that doesn't have problems, this book probably has enough information from me to do it though. Same for trimming. I may try a conservative trim this weekend.



2. I had some knowledge on how to trim my horses feet. The book gave me more detail and insights I wasn't aware of. I would recommend this book to anyone.



3. The best book I've seen on the subject. It is informative, easy to understand (for the layman) and without pretensions.
   Expert advice from an expert practioner.



4. Recently I watched as a local farrier plied his trade with four horses belonging to a friend. Originally I had gone intending to help steady the horses but, as I watched, I became more and more intrigued with the processes that were unfolding before my eyes. Suddenly I found myself wishing that I had paid better attention.
   
   The following day I began my search for a book that would review for me the things that I had witnessed the previous day. My first reaction was discouragement as I, at first, found very little available and then found some excellent books but priced so high that I would have had to hock the farm to buy them. Even my local library fell short.
   
   At last I ran onto this book. WELL-SHOD provides everything I was looking for. There are no lengthy and complicated explorations of unnecessary horse anatomy or boring historical treatises on the evolution of the horseshoe or the process of fitting sets of shoes to horses. Instead you will find excellent explanations of the process including removing old, worn shoes, preparing and trimming hooves and finishing up. The book also provides an excellent look at the necessary tools and how to use them, along with photographic and graphic illustrations that clarify the process.
   
   Don't get me wrong. If I were interested in becoming a veterinarian or in working in or teaching comprehensive levels of hot and cold farrier work I would likely invest in the text-like books that I encountered and shell out the exorbitant dollars required for their purchase. But, having a goal to become proficient in taking care of a horse's hooves--from getting rid of old shoes and applying new ones--I think I'll stick with this one and be happy that I did.
   
   THE HORSEMAN



5. This was an outstanding book! Mr. Baskins relies on his MANY years of experience to guide you on properly caring for your horse's hooves and how to ensure that your farrier is properly shodding your horse. I was completely ignorant of what was required to properly shod a horse....that is, until I picked up this wonderful book. I would recommend it as a foundation book for any good horse "person's" library. Even an experienced farrier could pick up vital techniques to assist him/her in shodding the most difficult horse, WITHOUT threatening, bullying or harming this beautiful creature!

No comments about The Powerful Bond between People and Pets: Our Boundless Connections to Companion Animals (Practical and Applied Psychology).

5 comments about The Reality of Professional Pet Sitting.

1. The Reality of Professional Pet Sitting
   
   I enjoyed this book very much. Many of the incidents I too had experienced at one time or another and found myself laughing out load. Definitely a good resource of any one thinking about being a pet sitter. Written very well. I highly recommend it.



2. everything you can use to start your own pet business, I mean everything, very informative. a must buy.



3. This should of been called "The bad things that happened to me while pet sittng for 8 years." The vast bulk of the book is made up of anectdotes from the author's life that, taken alone, would keep anyone from wanting to become a pet sitter. Although the author obviously has a love of her job, there is not one recount of a positive experience that would explain that love. The reader has to pause in wonder at the author's fear of mice, squirrels, iguanas, and even some cats. If you are a lover of ALL animals, or you if are looking for advice on how to start or improve your business, you will find this book seriously lacking in substance. Written in second (yes, second) person, and full of uninspired language wrapped around poor attempts at humor(ie.repeated use of the phrase 'no pun intended'), this is a disappointment by any measure. Two stars is a generous rating.



4. This book was easy to read and full of cute stories, but some of them were lacking in content or the way in which it was written. They are short one-page accounts of incidences that have happened to her, and while most are entertaining and insightful, a few are anti-climatic and I felt myself waiting for something, when it just ended and the whole point was already told. It also fell short in the editing department, with a handful of typos and unofficial technicals in writing. This is something I or anyone could've easily written. As a published book, it needed work in editing and style before publishing. But as a guide and insight to what you can expect while pet sitting, it certainly does the job. She gives you all kinds of incidences that can, and probably will, happen to any pet sitter. She also wakes you up to the hard parts of the job and, exactly as the title describes, the realities of pet sitting. It's definitely good to read if you are considering going into pet sitting, and I would agree with most of her advice. She definitely shows her degree of experience.



5. I read this book in 2 sittings, absolutely impressed by this woman's dedication to pets, when I would have probably given up. If you're considering pet sitting, you certainly need to read this book first. It's a hands-on manual for the job.

   Not only does the author give obscure tips (make sure owners didn't lock screen door and exit through the garage) that you'd never think of, she gives personality advice on who will make it and who won't.

   In my opinion, one would find it more lucrative to just do cats and not do dogs (which are HIGH maintenance for sure). But the author is a better person than I am in terms of doggie devotion. I'd be in the middle of the street screaming at some of the things that happened to her.

   The only thing I disagreed with was her estimation of the income potential, which was low. I think cats and birds would put it much higher than office work. The dogs pull it down. Read it and see for yourself.

No comments about Setup and Care of Saltwater Aquariums (Animal Planet Pet Care Library).

5 comments about The Dog Lover's Companion to Philadelphia: The Inside Scoop on Where to Take Your Dog.

1. This book is a terrific way to rediscover Philadelphia. I have lived in Philadelphia since 1992 and I learned a lot about my area from reading this book. My parents visited from Pittsburgh with their dogs, read some of the book, and loved its descriptions of our city and surrounding areas. Since I live in Center City I love to page through sections from time to time to discover ways I can get out of the city with some four-legged company. It was a concise but thorough read. I highly recommend this book to anyone, whether they are from Philadelphia or have a dog.



2. This book is not only fun to read, it's cram-packed with useful information for dogs and their people. The style is upbeat, down-to-earth and clever, so it keeps the reading light and easy. It's also easy just to pick up and flip through and start reading at any point, as it's organized well with lots of categories and ratings. I'm actually a bigger cat fan than a dog fan (in truth, I love all animals), but I bought three copies for some dog-loving friends who like to get out and about with their dogs. All of them were impressed, and never knew there were so many dog-friendly establishments and activities out there in their own backyard! There is even a Halloween costume party for dogs if you can believe it. The author really did her homework in compiling this comprehensive book! Too bad there is nothing like this available for cats...of course, a cat on a leash is a ticketable offense.



3. I currently do not have a dog but got the book for my neighbor who is from California and has two dogs. Before giving it to her I read it and it was so informative (and witty) that it made me want to go and get a dog just so I could go to many places listed in the book! Who knew there were so many places to take your dog and dine with him/her as well! I LOVE the doggie paws rating. I think a big seller is all the year round festivals and parades listed also. It makes you want to get out and move with your dog!



4. This book is THE resource for any dog-owner living in or visiting Philadelphia and the surrounding tri-state area! Hotels, restaurants, parks, you name it - the author has researched them THOROUGHLY so YOU don't have to!! Very detailed and an amusing read to boot! Your pup will thank you!



5. This is a fabulous book for exploring in and around PA with (or even without) your pup! The "Diversions," "Dog-ear your calendar," and "Fetching Necessities" sections make hunting for interesting places that much easier. Ms. McLaughlin's clever and humorful writing makes for a delightful read, to boot!

2 comments about Persian Cats and Other Long Hairs.

1. If you are interested in cats, previously had Persians, have Persians now or are thinking about getting a Persian cat this is the book for you.
   
   This is the absolute best book on Persian cats out there. Unsurpassed in its wealth of information - especially about breeding and colors. Hundreds of lovely pictures (both color and black/white). Anything you want to know about Persian cats is in here.
   
   Jeanne Ramsdale bred chinchilla Persians (also called silver Persians) under the prefix - or cattery name - 'Dearheart'. Her cats were magnificent and to this day stand out for their exceptional beauty. Just to see the photos of these cats - the book is well worth buying.
   
   Jeanne Ramsdale's love for the Persian cat is obvious throughout - the book is well written and always interesting. She writes knowingly about all aspects of cat care and breeding.
   
   Most of the photos are from the 1960's and 1970's - so this book is also a great historical record about the Persian cat.
   
   The 1976 edition is recommended - it comes in a revised edition with nice sturdy binding.
   
   Highly recommended to any cat lover !



2. The author is my great-auntie on my mother's side. She was a grand woman of her time.She was well known through the cat world. This book was written about most of her own cats and experiences throughout her life as a cat breeder. Her husband, Dr.P.N.ramsdale,was a well known veternarian in Long Beach, CA,also helped to write the 3 books she had published. They were fascinating people. I sure miss them. They both tragedly passed away almost 15 years ago. Great information books...

1 comments about German Shepherd Dog (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

1. Has good info on history of breed and characteristics and sections on grooming and first aid were most valuable. Section on training is useless. Buy this book if you're new to breed or about to buy a GSD.
   
   If you are buying a GSD for the first time go to a one-on-one expert trainer. I did this and it cost about $2000 but I have a competition level obedience dog now (on and off leash, hand and verbal commands, without choke/spike/"gentle" leader collars) and he spent more time training me than he did the dog so now I can train any dog that I'll ever own by myself.