4 comments about The Heart That Is Loved Never Forgets: Recovering from Loss: When Humans and Animals Lose Their Companions.

1. This book was a literal life-line for me. I am very grateful that the little book store in my neighborhood happened to have this particular book available just hours after I had my beloved cat put down under unusually urgent and traumatic circumstances.
   I could not have imagined there being such a book, so full of feeling and understanding, so articulate and wise and gentle, about pets and pet loss.
   The author speaks from the heart with courage and sensitivity. This book literally was like a healing balm. It got me through.
   Immediately I called my vet to suggest that they have it in stock for pet owners, as well as the little book store I got it from to make sure they ordered another since I took the last copy (I couldn't stand the thought of depriving another mouring pet owner of the comfort I received from reading this book.)
   I don't know what I would've done without having come across this truly original and heart-mending book.



2. I actually lost my copy of this book, and I've added it to my wish list so I can replace it. The book is written in anecdotal format; the author uses case studies from her practice to demonstrate how particular remedies are used in particular cases of grief/shock. You don't have to be a Ph.D. or a hugely experienced homeopath to use this book.
   
   Over the years I have used recommendation from this book to help animals recover from the death of their owners and abandonment in shelters. My most recent rescue--a cat who had been surrendered to a shelter when his former owner became too sick to take care of him, almost died while in the shelter (from illness and a broken heart), found a home and then was kicked back to the shelter due to behavior issues, and finally moved into my house, where he lives happily and peacefully with my two older cats--benefited profoundly from the advice given in this book. Only yesterday I was able to use information I remembered from this book to help a baby goat whose mother orphaned him.
   
   If you are looking for a book to help YOU recover from pet loss, this book isn't for you. There are numerous books on the market to help humans recover from pet loss. This book is designed for you to help your animal companion cope with his or her grief and emotional turmoil after losing a beloved human or animal friend.
   
   One word of caution: The author (and I) believe that animals have souls and feelings--NOT that animals are people in fur suits, but that animals have feelings which they manifest in their own way unique to their species. If this approach to animal welfare is too "woo woo" for you, you may want to give this book a miss. But if you are interested in homeopathy and you sense that your animal is depressed or otherwise traumatized by a loss, this book will be a great reference tool. Shelter workers and animal "foster carers" could benefit from this book, too.



3. I am a volunteer foster mom for kittens and cats, having had about 200 animals adopted.I deal with animal loss-I have to deal with cats I raised in my home and personally feel the loss and adopters who call me in tears and are very distresses. I recommend this book-probably because it doesn't have poetry and stories that move readers to tears, I find people can read that their feelings of loss are very valid and extremely personal-and it helps. I am not a professional but I am asked for help when an animal is ill or passed away and this book is short enough that readers will stay with it. The homeopathic part of this book is not for everyone-probably only a small portion of animal owners.But I followed some suggestions and as they say "It can't hurt to try!"



4. I think potential buyers of this book should not be deceived by the title into thinking that it is a guide to healing from pet loss, as I was. The author is a fervent, not to say fanatic, veterinary homeopath. What starts out as personal anecdotes about euthanizing or losing beloved pets turns into anecdotes about rescuing traumatized animals (surely a laudable thing) and healing them with things like Natrum muriaticum (chloride of sodium)and Borax (borate of sodium). As a pet lover myself, I'm the last to point a finger at someone who anthropomorphizes animals, but I do start wondering when animal emotions are supposedly "understood" by a human to such a fine degree - is it really possible to distinguish "rage in general" vs. rage from being left alone" vs. "rage at having the throat touched", and that each of these different rages can be cured by a different herb? Perhaps it is possible, and since the author believes in long-distance telepathic communication with animals, perhaps she knows something that I don't. The communication I have experienced from animals has truly been deeper than anything I was ever taught could be possible - but I wonder if layering on too much human emotion spoils the purity, the difference of relating to an animal rather than another human. The book makes several good, though not original points; that giving our pets a peaceful end to suffering requires great courage of the heart, that animals do suffer emotional trauma and do grieve the loss of human or other animal companions. The human-animal bond is indeed a very special, very important bond to forge - the capacity to love another outside oneself is paramount to being a good human being. Becoming the "ambassador" for an animal requires commitment, watchfulness and care; what our companion animals give us in return is beyond measure. Had I been interested in learning homeopathic veterinary medicine, I would have purchased this author's other book "Homeopathic First Aid for Animals". If you are looking for a book to help you deal with grief at losing a beloved (pet of any type, parent, a love), buy "My Cat Saved My Life" by Philip Schreibman. It will help you much more.
   AFTERWORD: (9/5/01) It is now almost a year since I lost my beloved 17-year-old cat, Hugo. I felt moved to add a few words to what I wrote about this book in 11/00. I want to clarify that I believe with all my being that our companion animals DO indeed understand us when we talk to them and and touch them and can even read our moods. (Read Anthony Gugielmo's book, "The Walrus on My Table"). And I hope with all my heart that telepathic communication between animals and humans and healing with homeopathic remedies occur. But I bought this book based on the title, which is such a comforting statement when you are grieving a loss..."the heart that is loved never forgets". It would have been the perfect title for the books "Angel Paws" and "Angel Whiskers", both books that deal with coping with the grief over losing a companion animal better than the above volume. I hold no quarrel with this this book, nor this author's point of view. I just wanted others in my situation to know that better solace for sorrow could be found elsewhere. I have moved on to rescue two other cats since I lost Hugo; a 10-year-old cat whose owner had to enter a nursing home and could not take his cat and a starving kitten from my driveway. I say this not to glorify myself, but to make the point that, no matter how much I love my other feline companions, the hole in my heart left by my bright spirit, Hugo's, absence will never be filled as long as I am alive. I know that I will meet him again, when, as they say, I go over the "Rainbow Bridge" myself. I also want to tell seniors and their relatives/dear ones something very important - the animal shelter community has changed. If you are lonely for an animal companion, but are resisting because you worry about whether you will "be around"...stop hesitating! There are MANY animals out there who would be so happy to share your life, no matter for how long! I never in the world thought I would adopt a 10-year-old cat (I am turning 50 this year); but I did and it was a revelation. Even if one or both of you has only a few years left, don't they deserve to be happy ones?, full of love? There are so many sad animal stories around, but we should realize that things ARE getting better, that some people DO care, and that love can be just around the corner, for today, for tomorrow, for who knows how long? And there will be others to pick up the torch and carry the love forward. God Blesses All Creatures, if one can but see.

1 comments about Under the Paw: Confessions of a Cat Man.

1. Tom Cox is a very funny writer. His stories about the cats in his life, past and present, are sweet and hilarious and sometimes very sad. Highly recommended to any cat lovers, but especially for guys that secretly love cats and are afraid to admit it. Come on! Women dig guys that love cats. What more perfect animal walks upon the earth? Tom Cox perfectly describes all that is cool and ridiculous about cats. All the British slang is a hoot to boot! I have to start calling my cats moggies now. Does that sound like a Muppet?

5 comments about The World of the Chow Chow.

1. Massively oversized hardcover, glossy pictoral covers, 525 pp; my copy is new, perhaps because no potential reader could lift it. over 900 color and b/w photos, just about anything you'd want to know about Chow Chows; over 7 1/2 pounds of book, priced to compensate for projected expensive shipping costs (really, really BIG book) Essential to the Chow Chow lover, including history throughout the world, breeding, selection and puppy care, judging and conformation of the Chow Chow, obedience (such as it is with Chows), pedigrees, kennel histories, and much much more.



2. I contributed 12 photographs to this project and at the time it was printed...this book did a good job of showing where the Chows where today. Also mentioned were the Kennels that raised the Chows and showed them in the ring. If you want a good quality Chow, then I think you should go with a breeder. I have owned 5 Chows and still have a white male that runs the house.
   Full blooded Chows are a joy to live with...It was a great
   experience to be a part of this project...



3. Compared to the other books specifically on Chow Chows, this book is better. However, that is not saying much. A real good book would deal more in-depth on the care, genetics, potential health problems and their cure or prevention, and breeding (whether to breed or not). Also important would be a more detailed and illustrated chapter on what to look for and avoid in the Chow. Other books, including this one, tend to overemphasize pages and pages of glossy photos of show winners, their kennels, their trophies, etc. - none of which are really helpful to the average Chow owner. A good book would stress the importance of health and functionality over show dog looks (which are influenced by passing fads, often downright harmful to a dog.) I sincerely hope that chow breeders get away from overly stocky, overly built chows who can't trot without panting heavily because of overly short muzzles, Chows with overly thick eyefolds that obscure their vision, Chows who don't whelp naturally because either their puppies have overly big heads or their anatomical structure no longer accommodates natural whelping, and chows that can't move right because they are not built right. The greatest travesty to Chows would be reduce the once proud, independent, working dog to a man-made freak like the English bulldog.



4. The World of the Chow Chow is absolutely fantastique! It is filled with stunning photos and an abundance of information on each Chow that is proudly displayed - it is only equaled by Isabella Milani's Chow Chow Champions of Europe in quality and it blows every other Chow book out of the water. Sure, it's a little bit pricey but it is definitely worth every penny. You will not regret owning this book.



5. Dr. Draper has gathered and shared more valuable knowledge about the Chow Chow. Great work by a great man. Every Chow Chow owner should own both of his books before they take it upon themselves to bring one of these wonderful creatures into their lives. The knowledge is priceless.

4 comments about If You Tame Me: Understanding Our Connection With Animals (Animals, Culture, and Society).

1. This book was a pleasure to read. It expresses many ideas I've had myself (and that you've probably had, too) but more deeply and eloquently than I would ever have dreamed possible. Irvine ties so many different observations, facts, and feelings into a comprehensive framework that makes perfect sense.
   
   I would caution the prospective buyer that this book would probably be too difficult a read for someone who hasn't received some college-level instruction in the social sciences and the philosophy of science.



2. This book is very thought provoking and efficiently reviews several perspectives regarding the connection between humans and animals. It is very well written and succintly conceptualizes the human-animal bond.



3. Leslie Irvine's voice provides those in animal science, animal welfare and just plan animal lovers with a new insight into the psychological relationship of the human-animal bond. A compelling theoretical read with real-life examples. A must have in any animal welfare/animal social policy or human-animal bond literature.
   Kate Nicoll, MSW Soul Friends, Inc.



4. Sociologist Dr Leslie Irvine's If You Tame Me is a very important and inspiring book. It will be of great interest to all who love animals and are concerned about their welfare. If you sense a kinship with nonhuman animals and the natural world, you will thoroughly enjoy this book. It is very well-written and well researched. It takes many of the assumptions that we commonly make about the animal "other" and skilfully dismantles them to reveal pernicious social constructs that should stimulate us all to be more cognizant of how we treat other species. I couldn't put it down!

1 comments about Bichon Havanese (Pet Love).

1. This is a decent book, albeit outdated and from a very limited perspective, the author being a resident of Cuba and, thus, having limited experience with the breed as it resides outside of Cuba. A far better book is The Havanese, by Diane Klumb, published in 2004, which is more timely and much more informative and also available on Amazon.

2 comments about Cichlids: Understanding Angelfish, Oscars, Discus, and Others (Fish Keeping Made Easy).

1. The book itself is recommended for people who are stepping into the world of cichlids. If you're deciding wether or not you'd like to keep cichlids or deciding on which cichlid species to keep this is the book for you. It covers most basics of cichlid keeping, describes differences between different sorts of these fish. Everything is backed up with great pictures. The book will sure make a lot of influence to your decision on which cichlids to choose. Some most common speciers are described in more detail.
   
   Overall, you'll find basic information on all aspects of cichlid keeping (tank setup, equipment, feeding, breeding, illnesses etc.). However, if you're making your first aquarium, I personally recommend that you buy some beginner guidebook on setting up aquariums. Also, once you choose the kind of cichlids to keep, you'll probably want to buy another book which describes the chosen species in more detail.
   
   This book would be a waste of money for professionals.
   
   Four stars are given because I think that some topics could have been covered in some more detail.



2. This book has so much information than any other book I have read. It contains a brief history of the cichlids and where they can be found. This book also tells you how to set up your cichlid aquarium and tips for maintaining your aquarium.

No comments about Fat Cat Thin: How to Keep Your Cat Lean, Fit, Healthy and Happy.

2 comments about A New Owner's Guide to German Shepherds (JG Dog).

1. This is a good book with practical information. It is not very in depth but is still quite useful.



2. This book has a lot of very good information of taking care of your dogs health (Although most of the advice would apply to any dog). I was particularly disappointed in the section on puppy selection which was my main reason for buying this book. Very superficial information.

1 comments about Shetland Sheepdogs at Work: Achievements, Breeding, Training.

1. This book goes far beyond the idea that Shelties are "just pretty, fluffy dogs." Joanne highlights the intelligence and workability of this delightful breed-she covers almost all areas of dog performance sports that Shelties excel in: Obedience, Agility, Herding, Flyball, Tracking, Search & Rescue, Therapy dogs (and she may be working on another book! ) and not only covers top Shelties in each of these areas, but interviews the owners/handlers/breeders for their training tips and their dogs'lineage. Great info on how to get started in each venue, great photos, and a great tribute to a hardy, versatile, smart AND beautful breed!

1 comments about 1000 Dog Names: From A to Z.

1. This was a very good book with alot of names. It didn't however, have very many imaginative or unusual names. For the Price it was perfect!