2 comments about Precious Companion: A Book of Comfort and Remembrance After the Loss of a Pet.

1. As a pet loss counselor for over ten years - I have learned that some (human) clients often have difficulty with ability to focus or concentration soon after experiencing the death of their pet. Therefore, providing reading material or suggesting a particular book on the subject of pet loss for the client is often ineffective and they find the task of trying to read a book from cover-to-cover too overwhelming. Yet, the client yearns for more information on the subject to further validate the depth of the pain they may be experiencing after their pet dies.
   
   This book is one I am going to recommend to my clients. It is an easy read, compact in size and contains extraordinary photos with short poignant quotes used throughout, which provide excellent points for reflection. The reader can also journal inside the book if they choose. The author eloquently shares her own personal journey and there is enough blank space left on many pages if the reader would like to jot down their own thoughts or insights.
   
   There are good pieces of advice offered in the book and the tone is encouraging and hopeful. Gilbert does a good job describing what the "process" can look like and how grief was effectively experienced among members of her family (including surviving animals and their grief reactions) but manifested with vastly different behaviors.



2. This is the type of book that I hope every pet owner will buy. It brought tears to my eyes and comfort to my heart. I lost my dog a few months ago and the verses in the book are so beautiful. This book will touch everyone's heart regardless if you lost a dog, cat, or any type of beloved animal companion. I work for a Veterinary office and see loss on a daily basis and know this book will bring comfort to anyone who is greiving or anyone who loves their pet companions.

5 comments about How to Teach Your Old Dog New Tricks.

1. I'm a veterinarian, very involved in behavior training, because that's what keeps my canine patients alive. I've found that if I can get clients involved in teaching a dog who has found out that learning is fun, that dog stands a much better chance of staying alive of becoming an indispensable member of their family. I've checked out numerous trick training books, and this is hands down the best. It's focused, breaks the tricks down into easy, understandable steps, and is written by someone who knows and loves dogs. Bravo!



2. This is a very clearly written book that shows step by step how to make your dog impress people with how "smart" it is. The best thing about training your dog to do some of these tricks is that the basics sit, stand and stay also get transmitted. If you have a dog with behavior problems, once you start them out with this book everything else will follow. The book itself shows this with it's cross-reference at the end of each trick letting you know which tricks will be easy to teach in the future based on the foundation of just one trick!

   This book would be great for puppies as well.




3. I taught my field spaniel to shake, speak, rollover, beg, bow, crawl on her belly, climb ladders, open and close doors, etc. Also, using the techneques in the book, I made-up other tricks. Now she can slp-you-five and jump and twist in midair.



4. My Scottish Terrier, Sgt. Pepper, is currently working on the balance the milk-bone on your nose, and rollover trick.

   At this point we're having so much fun gazing into one another's eyes over the milk bone, that we don't much care whether he learns it or not.

   This is great fun!




5. This wonderful book is lavishly illustrated, and takes a step-by-step approach that results in a over-all well-trained dog. Easy to follow and a fun read.

No comments about The Beagle (Terra Nova Series).

No comments about Airedale Terrier (Kennel Club Dog Breed).

No comments about Australian Kelpie (Comprehensive Owners Guide).

5 comments about Vaccine Guide for Dogs and Cats: What Every Pet Lover Should Know.

1. First of all I'm a book worm. Most of the time any book is good....This one however I could not understand....Not only it's a sort of a boring topic, but the writer is just showing off all the difficult words she knows, I'm not talking about the medical terms...The research she did is good, but written in a way to make you put the book down after reading one page or pulling up words from the dictionary every minute or so...
   
   -Tired and still trying to put this puzzle together from Cleveland, OH..???



2. This book opened my eyes big time! I recomend it for anyone who owns pets or has kids. It can be a bit technical at times - I had to read some sections twice to really get it, but well worth the effort. I strongly recomend you read this and follow or start with "The nature of animal healing."
   This book will also get you to questions vaccines used in humans...autism for your young daughter anyone??
   
   Read it but don't let the quest for knowledge on this subject stop at this book!



3. Every animal lover should read this in order to truly make the best decisions for your animal.



4. It is about time someone brings to light the dangers of over- vaccination! This book explores the many dangerous side effects of vaccination, the obscurity of diseases such as Coronavirus, the inadequacies in vaccines such as Leptospirosis, and the lack of science behind annual rabies mandates. The text given is thourough, and thought provoking! Many vaccines are mandated based on fear, and not science. It is refreshing to see an author admit the inadequacies of vaccinations and the laws surrounding them. Vaccines can become dangerous, and cannot be considered harmless, as demostrated in this book.
   
   This book provides a solid outline of data that rubs against the grain! A great mind-opener! It is great for those questioning current vaccination standards, yet will easily rub wrong with those who strongly advoate vaccine usage. The main down-fall to the book is that it focuses on the negative, and gives little alternative beyond not vaccinating. I would use this book as a resource for the negatives of vaccination, yet would do further research to determine if or how you will choose to vaccinate. The book would serve well coupled with Don Hamiltons book Homeopathy for Cats and Dogs: Small doses for small animals, which also gives some interesting insight into vaccinations, and more alternative on how to administer them, if at all.



5. This book is not a guide as it doesn't guide you to answer the obvious question "if you don't vaccinate, what DO you do??" It discusses all the bad things vaccines do, but gives no solution for protecting your dog against the deadly Distemoer, Parvo and Rabies. Ridiculous.

4 comments about Breeding Purebred Cats.

1. I found this book to be very informative, especially about the day to day management of a cattery which is what I was looking for. The advice is practical and based on the author's experience. I feel that this is the best book on the subject of cattery management that I have found so far.



2. "Breeding Purebred Cats" was a lifeline for us when we decided to purchase and breed a Maine Coon female. As the author says in her introduction, "It's a simple matter to throw two cats together and hope for the best. But somewhere down the road, disaster and disappointment await the person who believes that 'nature' will take care of everything."

   In the exclusive world of the Cat Fancy, it's not even a simple matter to 'throw two cats together'. Everything has to be arranged for in advance (most catteries won't allow their males to breed an unknown female, even one with papers, because of the chance of disease). At any rate, suppose you earn the trust of a cattery owner, or purchase your own male. Then what? Your queen is pregnant. What should you do to ensure that she gives birth to and raises a healthy litter?

   This is when "Breeding Purebred Cats" will become indispensible. The author explains in clear, succinct terms how the queen should be handled, how to determine whether she is indeed pregnant, how to figure out when she's going to give birth, how to assist at the kittening, and when to call for help. And "Breeding Purebred Cats" isn't just about breeding and giving birth. It covers all aspects of breeding practices, raising kittens and selling them, and cattery management. We found Anne S. Moore's book essential for the proper care and upbringing of a healthy litter of Maine Coons.




3. Breeding cats is not easy and this book gives the exact idea of what it means. This book is precious for both new and experienced cat breeders. Interesting, easy to read and full of absolutely essential tips and suggestions. A "must" for all cat breeders!



4. "Breeding Purebred Cats" walks you through the entire process beginning with purchasing your first purebred cat through, housing, breeding, birthing and placing kittens. Filled with loads of practical advice this book is a must for first time breeders.

3 comments about Understanding the German Shepherd Dog.

1. Great book!. I'm in the process of researching the German Shepherd breed, as I'd like to buy a GS puppy soon. For me, part of this process was purchasing a number (5) of GS breed specific books. Of those, "Understanding the German Shepherd Dog" by John Cree, was by far, the best. I had even bought titles touted to be "the best" German Shepherd reference, and none compared to Cree's book. Instead of the ramblings of a German Shepherd fan, Cree provides a very detailed synopsis of the breed, focusing heavily on "temperament", and "character". He also addresses the breed standard, but this is secondary in his work. If you are looking for a book that will provide you with an understanding of the German Shepherd's personality, instead of the usual superficial, and generic reference materials (or obsessed breeder, haughtiness), this book is for you. I was hooked after reading just the Preface.



2. This book was OK but didn't dazzle me with German Shepherd specific insights. I found my "Golden Retrievers for Dummies" to be much better organized. I grew tired of constantly reading the author's quaint stories of he and his German Shepherds frolicking through the green pastures of Europe. Get to the point, please!



3. This is not a "how to train" your dog book, but a book to help one understand (as it's title indicates) the nature of the GSD. Unlike many books about a specfic breed, this book includes information about problems and traits that can become problems, not just the good things about the breed. John Cree's use of personal examples makes his points memorable as well as making the book enjoyable reading. I wish I had had this book when I had my first GSD as it would have helped me better understand her. I would definitly recommend this book for someone considering buying a GSD. But more experienced GSD owners will enjoy and benifit from this book also.

2 comments about Never Bite When a Growl Will Do.

1. This is very cute for those who enjoy dogs. Also very good for children since there is no reading--just pictues.



2. Michael Nastasi has an amazing talent for photographing dogs. His photos are playful, heartwarming and beautiful...you feel as though you've been given a glimpse into the soul of each of his canine subjects. If you love dogs, know someone who does, or simply appreciate outstanding photography, I highly recommend this book!

2 comments about New Parrot Handbook, The (New Pet Handbooks).

1. This book was the the first book that I purchased when I began researching getting my first bird. As my knowledge grew I learned that most, if not all of the information in this "new" book was VERY out of date. When this book was written we were still catching birds in the rainforest, feeding them only seed and water, and not understanding their basic emotional, dietary and medical needs. There are many wonderful books out there that help you choose, and raise the right parrot species for your lifestyle - this is not one of them. Check the copywrite date. Anything written before 1992 (when we stopped importing and started really hand raising and learning what our feathered companions need) is probably out of date and is only good for the pictures.

   Please, for the sake of your future companion, get a book written recently, with up to date information, or find a breeder to ask what to read. Do your research first, but make sure that it good research.




2. This book showed a lot of promise when I bought it, but after the first few pages it was appearant that this was a book written for European collectors, not American breeders or pet owners. Diet recommendations are possibly harmful, as are some of the training tips. I was hoping for much more from this nicely presented book, but got one collectors opinion and some poor photos. If nothing else is available, this is a start.