5 comments about The Australian Shepherd: An Owner's Guide toa Happy Healthy Pet.

1. Indeed,this book is about the best I've read on the subject thus far and is well balanced. I would have given FIVE stars however one thing perturbed me no end! This book contains the SAME information as THE ESSENTIAL AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD and is mostly verbatim! The two books have entirely different titles,the author of one is not listed on the cover of the other,the publishers seem to be different and the dates of publication are different. Any reasonably intelligent ,trusting person would assume they were different books! Caveat emptor. I purchased both books,paid twice and about the only difference between them was one was hardcover and one was paperback...oh,and though the content inside was almost exactly the same,the covers were very different for some odd reason. I would search the library next time.



2. You cannot go wrong reading this book but do not expect to go train your Aussie to be a model dog citizen afterwards. There is not enough detail or practical advice on rewarding or motivating your dog, understanding individual temperments, or picking a trainer to work with. Indeed, much of the book reads like a template where the primary difference, besides the photos and breed history, between this book and any other dog-training guide would be the words "insert breed name here."

   If you are interested in owning and training an Aussie, please first review the material at Aussierescue.org. Aussie are clever, playful, and engaging. If you own one, you know what it is like to have your dog watch you and to have an silent furry shadow underfoot.




3. This book is a handy manual because it is concise, pretty cheap..and tells you almost everything that the other books do - plus, the front photo is a masterpiece - that is the weirdest looking Australian Shepherd ever! Most are black & tan (the 'Tri' color) or white/grey/black spotted (the 'merle' color) but I haven't seen many that are both! A book like this is a lifesave if you aren't very familiar with the breed. Explains their intense energy level and need for 'a job' to do..and why many people are too stupid and lazy to own an Aussie..or any dog really. But seriously, don't get an Aussie unless you can absolutely promise to go on a minimum of 3 walks a day. Book also explains their need to herd things..their desire for an orderly existence and why crows and seagulls and livestock and other disorderly animals annoy them. And why, if you can provide the energy packed environment that they need, the Aussie is a great animal to own.



4. This is a wonderful book about Australian Shepherds. It has almost anything an owner or soon to be owner could want: A short history of the breed, the ASCA and AKC standard, feeding, grooming, health & care, and more. Liz does a very good job of explaining everything like how an Aussie makes a good family pet, but it wants a job and plenty of excersize. It also has nice color photographs and a section a baisic training by Ian Dunbar. Liz's other book, "Australian Shepherds, Champions of Versitility" is also a great book. If you are looking into getting an Aussie, or already own one, this is a must read!



5. This is a great book for Aussie owners or owners-to-be. It tells you everything you need to know about these beautiful dogs. If your looking for a good book on Aussie's, this is the one.

5 comments about Conversations with Horse: An Uncommon Dialog of Equine Wisdom.

1. Conversations with horse is a great launching pad for a new exploration, not of what we have to teach horses but of what horses have to teach us. Those of us who try to really listen to our horses won't find a lot of new information, but will feel comforted and understood. Those of us who have been too scared to listen and let go of our weak methods of control like bits and stalls might get a gentle jostle to look closer. If you don't buy into animal communication, you probably will find this book to be paper thin. If you do accept animal communication this book with be as rich as a wedding cake. This book isn't about individual horse behavior or training, it is about connecting with the Great Mystery that is behind it all, where we and the horse can experience oneness.



2. While this is a small book, don't be fooled. It is not a quick read, neither is it trivial nor shallow. However, the average "horse person" will probably dismiss it as New Age airy-fairy baloney as it requires one to THINK. Remember: the number of years one associates with horses does not necessarily equate to knowledge or experience . . . there is a much bigger realm than the average mind recognizes. This book delves into the wider universe of co-existence as opposed to domination. It is not a how-to book about horses. It's a how-to book about life.



3. but then if she's psychic she probably already knows what I think of her. Save your money and buy a good book on horse behaviour



4. I was incredibly disappointed by this book. Of course, I have ridden, bred and trained horses since I was 10 years old. However, any fool who has every been around horses should have figured out everything Ms Solisti-Mattelon has to say in this book. That said, there are a lot o fools out there, so I'm sure there is a place for this book. Just don't expect great insight.



5. Just when you thought you've read all the "horse whisperer" books out there. This one finds me. I thought this would be the same as all the others: herd behavior, flight instinct. etc. etc. Well it was, and it wasn't. There were insightful, reassuring methods and so many things that I have never thought about. This book is full of wit and humor and reading it seems to float on a cloud...that may not make sense, but it will once you read it. It's like the whole world is resting on that pretty white pony's back and he's just sleeping and you can hear him thinking. It's amazing. Kate is the greatest.

3 comments about When Rover Just Won't Do: Over 2,000 Suggestions for Naming Your Puppy.

1. I bought this wonderful book to settle some arguments about names which have erupted in our household after we recently bought a bulldog pup. My son Jonathan wants something "ironic", though his suggestions owe less to irony than inappropriate buffoonery and disrespect (viz Schlong, which isn't in this book) and my daughter Stephanie mysteriously says it has to be something she can work with if she doesn't make it in mainstream films. Still, there are over 2000 naming suggestions and I'm sure we'll find something that suits.



2. This is an excellent book if you want to name a puppy or kitten. There were some really cool names in here, though some were kind of stange. (Bombshell, Meatloaf, Knickerbocker, you get the idea.) Most of the book was rally cool though. If you need a name for a dog, buy it!



3. My wife and I were really struggling trying to give our dog good name that would also be a little creative. A variety of lists on web pages didn't do the trick. Ten minutes with this book and we had our name (Lira). We also came up with several other really good ones I would have never thought of otherwise. If you want to name your dog something other than Max or Maggie (though those are good names), give this book a try.

No comments about Horse Breeding: A Practical Guide for Owners.

1 comments about Searle's Cats.

1. I loved this book! It is whimsical, nonsensical, funny and beautifully drawn. You will find yourself identifying with these cats.

5 comments about Speaking Out for Animals: True Stories About People Who Rescue Animals.

1. What animal lover wouldn't like to hear true stories from Paul McCartney, Anita Roddick, and Maneka Gandhi? This is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the roles of animals in our lives. Or to quote Jane Goodall:
   
   "...this collection of inspiring tales is so important. They are true tales about individuals who have dared to take positive action against cruelty to animals and won, individuals who have made a difference."
   
   When you've read this book, you'll be inspired to make a difference yourself. Don't miss this opportunity!



2. On the whole, Speaking Out for Animals by Kim Stallwood is written in a hopeful and progressive style - certainly it's worth a read. But as I read the heartwarming stories, I definitely felt mixed emotions. On the one hand, it is good to hear happy endings. On the other hand, it is terrible to think that humans could be responsible for so much suffering and cruelty.

   This book's greatest fault, in my opinion, is the first 24 pages. I found myself nearly in despair, thinking 209 more pages, what if it's all like this! Fortunately, it is not all that bad. After I got through the relatively short and somewhat dull interviews, I finally reached something good. The interview with Sergeant Sherry Schlueter was just the first of a series of ten interesting and varied stories. I especially enjoyed reading how animal rights are viewed abroad, in the interviews with Maneka Gandhi of India and Tatyana Pavlova in Russia.

   To often, it seems, I hear terrible stories of animal suffering. All this bad news can become quite overwhelming. That's why I like section two of this book, all 31 of these stories are strictly happy endings. From Ginny, the dog who rescues cats to Butch and Sundance, two runaway meat pigs, this section will leave you feeling good.

   Section three is titled "Unsung Heroes," and I also found it to be interesting and inspiring. Tony and Vicki Moore who fought against Spain's blood fiestas, the Buffalo Field Campaign fighting for the wild buffalo and eight-year-old Amanda Walker-Serrano, alerting others to the truth about circuses. These three stories are among 21 true tales of animal heroes. --Reviewed by Starlynn Clarke




3. I feel that, while their intentions are good, many of the people in this book have views so extreme that they defy common sense. I found Peter Singer's views on human-animal relations disturbing and troubling to say the least. Also, while I agree that animals are treated terribly here and all over the world, these people have no scientific basis upon which to state their views. They seem to rely on the hearsay of others who share their views. While I was reading this, it seemed to me that the entire book had been written for the purposes of fund-raising. Overall, the people described in this book, all taken together, seem to have developed a very detailed philosophical approach to the cause of animal rights. It's too bad that they don't do a better job of implementing it. There were numerous factual errors I found in this book. Whoever edited it doesn't seem to have done a very thorough job of fact checking or proof reading.



4. I think Mark S. missed the point of this book. Showing abuse cases of a wide variety with happy endings not only exposes the abuse but shows there can be a favorable outcome. Too often, we are overwhelmed with the depth of animal abuse issues. This uplifting book shows the wisdom of movement leaders along with courageous stories of ordinary people making a difference in animal lives. I bought a copy for my parents who read it cover to cover and have a better understanding of the animal issues I am fighting for. Is it just a coincidence that they now are doing volunteer work at a shelter in their area?



5. As a long-time animal rights activist, I can say that this collection of self-righteous interviews and melodramatic anecdotes adds little to the literature on the subject. A more serious discussion of animal rights advocacy would focus less on celebrity banter and mawkish rhetoric, and more on the entrenched cultural attitudes and public policies that perpetuate, and subsidize, the victimization of animals. This book is about people, self-important people, not animals. Sadly, I expected more, especially from such a reputable source.

5 comments about Budgie: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet.

1. Julie Rach's BUDGIE is an informative and useful guide for the care and preservation of your new Budgie pet, and probably the only book you will need for Budgie pet care. Rach has included a short history of this little Australian parrot including a discussion of the variants bred in England and America. Budgies in the wild come in a few colors, but the colors of the varieties are numerous. Apparently, Budgies are like popcorn, its hard to have only one, so if you are thinking of building an aviary full of Budgies, get THE PROPER CARE OF BUDGIES -- a more comprehensive book than Rach's --- that includes a more in-depth discussion of genetics and breeding.
   
   Rach offers much practical information on the caging, feeding and care of "pet" budgies, including a few medical tricks, such as how to give your bird an oral medicine. Speaking of the photographs (there is one showing a Budgie receiving medication from an oral syringe), many were produced by Renee Stockdale, whose photos show up in other books on Budgies and Parakeets. Although Rach says Budgies should be housed in cages with bar spacing 7/16" or less, I noticed the same cage with bars ½" apart are shown in many of the photos, so either the photo editor was careless or Rach did not edit the book.
   
   I enjoyed reading the text and looking at the photos, and recommend this book as the one you will need unless you are becoming a breeder. The photos( taken in 1997) appear in other books on this topic, but Rach has covered all the bases for most Budgie owners.



2. This guide to budgies was published in 1997. Its author is Julie Rach. It totals 126 pages. There are ten chapters. Numerous color photos are contained--they are helpful. Also, informative sidebars are included. Examples of topics covered are the budgie's ancestry, budgie selection, care, cage selection, toys for the budgie, feeding, grooming, health, feathers, senses, teaching the budgie how to talk, and taming the budgie. No information on breeding is provided. A page is set aside to demonstrate--with a color illustration and lines pointing to the corresponding anatomical parts--the external features of the budgie, which is useful. This guide to budgies is recommendable.



3. I can't think of a better, more accessible book for first time budgie (parakeet) owners. In 123 pages, Rach, a former editor of BIRD TALK, covers a wide range of topics, from the history of the budgie as a pet to teaching it to talk. She covers health problems and how to prevent them, proper nutrition, cage size, taming a new bird, and grooming. The section on parakeet behavior was, for me, the most entertaining, as Rach describes the gestures and habits common to most budgies and what each means. The color photographs scattered throughout are mostly unneccessary, but they break up the text. (Most people aren't interested in seeing a person covering a cage.) The pictures of budgies themselves are worth it, however, especially since most people reading the book will already be enamored of this acrobatic pet.

   Well-seasoned budgie owners and breeders won't find much new here, but newcomers to bird ownership will be delighted. Even if you are only thinking of purchasing a bird, read this book to understand what will be required of you to give a new parakeet a safe and healthy home.




4. This book covers Budgie basics,and just the basics. I was left feeling like I only had about half of the information that I needed to know.

   The good news is that it is very easy to read, however if you're only buying one budgie book, I suggest picking one with a bit more substance.




5. This is a very detailed little book with plenty of info on parakeet care. It guides the reader from bird purchase to pet care, even to the death of your pet. Great layout and great pictures. It will also make a great gift for children who keep budgies as pets.

No comments about Horned Frogs: Plus Budgett's Frogs (Herpetocultural Library).

No comments about When Pets Die: It's Alright to Grieve.

1 comments about Unlock Your Horses Talent In 20 Minutes a Day.

1. I have read this book from cover to cover and started to implement the exercises, it was easier to follow that I thought and I have started to see good changes in my young horse.
   
   Although it is similar to parelli it isn't as strict and I have found that my horses personlaity is still very much there, but it is working with me now and not against me.