5 comments about All Things Bright and Beautiful.

1. All Things Bright and Beautiful continues the memoirs of James Herriot, newly married to Helen, as he continues his veterinary practice in Yorkshire. This book is simply more of the same witty, incisive commentary on animal ways and human nature, and how they came together in his unique professional life. Utterly enjoyable.
   
   There is, however, one scene on p. 321, in which Herriot rather gratuitously describes a dance partner's physical attributes, which parents may wish to omit if reading aloud, or discuss if a young person is reading alone. This small blemish does not significantly alter the value of the story.



2. James Herriot tells the best stories..I have bought all of the CD's I wish there were more



3. I've read them all, and I think this is the best of the four. I've certainly re-read it the most. Herriot tells tales on all sorts of animals, and people--rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief, doctor, lawyer, merchant chief. He looks on them with a kindly eye, and you never forget the people or the animals. I have many favorites. One group is the 3 tales he tells of himself, a small man and rather a Boy Scout, trying to party with Granville Bennett, an overpowering party animal no man can keep up wit--but you get the feeling Herriot enjoyed trying, like many of us guys would. Maybe the best is the tale where he and his future wife cross that imaginary line between knowing one another and becoming a couple. TO a romantic sod like me, who remembers the night my wife and I joyously crossed that point of no return, that one is just a delight. Even stories i've read a dozen times and more can still have me laughing until I cry, or crying until I just have to start laughing again. More readable than Jean Shepherd, more intelligent than Dave Barry, this man was wonderfully funny, and his stories will live on for many decades, I hope.



4. This book was very mildewy with brown edges to the book. I was going to send it back, but sprayed it with Melaleuca's Solumel and it took the smell and brown coloring away. I would not have been able to read it otherwise due to the smell!



5. Whether you love animals, England, or just great stories, James Herriot's memoirs of his career as a country vet will really hit the spot.
   
   Here is a collection of experients he has had in his career of working with animals in the English countryside, full of biting humor and observation that will have you laughing hysterically as well as more than a few that will touch your heart and bring a tear to your eye.
   
   His writing is oberservant, clever, and delightfully simple as to get the story across. It's like he is talking to you, and it is clear that he enjoyed his life.

5 comments about Good Dog 101: Easy Lessons to Train Your Dog the Happy, Healthy Way.

1. I prefer positive training for my dog (a Doberman) instead or formal classic or military approach, one of the reasons I like this one so much.
   
   Author takes a more simplistic approach: instead of pure positive training with clicker and not luring, she teaches how to keep using positive training but getting results a bit faster but still in a reliable and lasting way.
   
   First 3 chapters explain the different dog training systems we currently have, including the classic military approach (Cesar Milan) the Pure Positive Training (Pat Miller) and this new and improve methodology which is Positive Training without the use of clicker as only marker.
   
   The 2nd portion of the book are small chapters each on dedicated to dog behavior issues. The beauty of that is that they are disconnected so instead of reading the whole book at once you can go directly to an specific chapter on that topic (chewing problems, barking, etc) and read the "why" and "solutions" for that specific behavior problem. This "disconnected" chapters style makes the book really awesome besides the organization and TOC (Table of Content) is really nice.
   
   Really good book. Easy to read, practical, straight to the point but without forgetting about the scientific reason and dog studies behind that (covered on chapters 1, 2 and 3)
   
   Highly recommended!



2. This book was well written and very informative. Anyone needing some help with some behavior problems should read it!



3. This book is well written and addresses the basics in dog training. They also talk about the different styles of training which gives an interesting perspective.



4. Cristine Dahl, is in my extended family (cousin's cousin). Its great to talk to her and i enjoy her book. I will soon be getting a puppy and will be using this book for training my new puppy. I have also taught my older dog to learn finally how to behave on a leash and drop a ball. Thanks Cristine.



5. This book is a must have for every dog owner; those who are just starting out and for those who think they might know-it-all. Seriously, who doesn't want to own a well mannered dog: one that is a joy to take out in public and who has learned how to act politely when visitors drop by unannounced. I know I do!
   
   Cristine Dahl has provided the dog loving community with a book that can teach even the most novice dog owner how to have a well trained dog, while also learning a little of the history behind it. She also guides the dog owner on how to deal with some of the more advanced problem behaviors. Dahl has a solid grounding in animal learning theory, therefore her methods are humane. She also speaks in a language that is both intelligent and easily understandable to the layperson, and her love for dogs is obvious.

5 comments about Scent of the Missing:Love and Partnership with a Search-and-Rescue Dog.

1. this book ended up being so much more than i expected. i felt as if i were on site with the author, looking from her eyes as well as from her heart at the situations she, her dog and other team members were facing . the book takes the reader from the author's traning to become partners with a search and rescue dog of her own, to acquiring a puppy named puzzle, to training puzzle and to certification and being in the field. the book is filled with such tender and insightful journeys into not only the world of search and rescue but into those animal personalities that bless our lives both in service and companionship. i found myself sobered by the harsh realities , laughing out loud in the moments of humor and left in awe of the courageous hearts of those involved in search and rescue.



2. informs us hugely of the skills and "intellect" that dogs have. The hard work that search and rescue people go thru and the wonderful communication between these doggie animals and their co-dependents, human animals.



3. I have been waiting for years to read this book. As a member of a Golden Retriever forum that is blessed to have Susannah as a member, I, and others, have been eagerly anticipating the day when this book would be in our hands. We have shared so much with Susannah and Puzzle over the years and finally get to learn what search and rescue is all about by reading this book.
   
   I love Susannah's writing style. Her words flow perfectly, descriptions vivid. One becomes part of the book, not just reading words, but standing to one side, watching, smiling, learning, and sometimes crying, but often laughing.
   I was sent my own copy of this book by a dear friend I met through our Golden forum, and then met in person back in 2007.
   Prior to having my own copy I read every review I could, I listened and viewed the many interviews that Susannah [and Puzzle] did while promoting the book.
   
   Once I had my own copy, opened it and began to read I could not put it down. I read it late at night, and finished it in a little over 2 and half hours.
   I was sad at the end..........not because it is sad, but because I simply did not want the book to end.
   I leave a message for all, especially any Aussie's who might read this...........read the book! It is a enjoyable read and there is much to learn about Search and Rescue, the training involved and the love that Susannah has for her furbabies.
   
   Highly recommended!



4. I loved reading about Puzzle, Susannah, and their work! A very well-written, informative, entertaining look at the relationship between a working dog and her human partner.



5. I've got mixed feelings about this book. It started off well enough, with the picture of that gorgeous blonde on the cover (Puzzle is a good-looking Golden Retriever). And the subject matter is noble. The author isn't an investigative journalist writing about someone else's experiences as the human half of a Search and Rescue (SAR) dog team. She is that half. But there are drawbacks that kept me from giving the book a five-star rating.
   
   The drawbacks:
   
   *Several times in the book, I stumbled over awkward prose.
   *The organization of the text confused me several times. I found myself stopping and going back through previously read pages to get my bearings.
   *Related to the previous point, the book didn't seem to be driving us toward any particular goal. The author almost had what writers refer to as a "MacGuffin." This is something that Alfred Hitchcock, the master of suspense, is noted for talking about. The MacGuffin drives the plot forward and helps establish the tension that keeps the reader reading. In this case, the MacGuffin could have been the SAR certification but that "plot" just wasn't developed.
   *There were abrupt transitions from one "scene" to another. The book even seemed to end abruptly.
   *Development of ideas seemed uneven. It's as if the book had been too long and someone randomly edited out parts. Things at the same level of importance should be developed to the same extent, but I didn't get that feeling while reading this book. It seems some trivial things were more developed than some important things.
   *A few (very few) of the anecdotes would have been best left out, as they detracted from the momentum of the book (which was weak in this area to begin with).
   
   Some of the pluses:
   
   *She "gets" the language of the animals and tells us what they said. This enriches the book.
   *She also understands and can articulate the relationships between Puzzle and the other dogs (and cats) living in her home.
   *We see Puzzle as a real personality, with feelings and intelligence of her own. *The author could have focused on her own work, with Puzzle as just a machine or accessory. Instead, she did a great job of reading Puzzle's reactions and telling us what those were. The subtitle rang true throughout the book.
   *The book was hugely informative. I had no idea just how much SAR teams sacrifice or that they are unpaid volunteers.
   *The author, who is a highly accomplished individual, gently drops in facts that help us get to know her better.
   *Most of the anecdotes are interesting. Some made my pulse quicken.
   *Some of the anecdotes are hilarious. Puzzle's upside down posture on the airplane could have gotten a casual mention and been "so what?" but the way Ms. Charleson told it had me laughing aloud.
   *Ms. Charleson described some things so vividly, I felt like I was there.
   
   This book consists of 25 chapters and an epilogue, occupying 288 pages. The book covers the first two years of this amazing partnership.
   
   Ms. Charleson has many talents and excels in many areas. She completed that rigorous SAR training, and, for example, she's a flight instructor who teaches advanced courses. But we can't all be great at everything. She's not a great writer. She is, however, a passable writer with something important to talk about. To me, that beats a great writer with nothing in particular to say.
   
   I've read many dog-related books in my time. This was the first one I've seen on SAR, and it's told from a personal, almost intimate point of view. If you're looking for a flawlessly written work of non-fiction, this isn't it. But if you'd like an insider's view of those brave people and dogs who give so generously to help find missing adults and children, this is it. If you've seen SAR teams and wondered who these people and dogs are, or what it takes to do what they do, this book is for you.
   
   My time spent reading this book was well spent. I think yours will be, too.

5 comments about Animal Reiki: Using Energy to Heal the Animals in Your Life.

1. I purchased this book in preperation for getting my Reiki attunement. I plan to offer Reiki to people and animals both s othis book was great. The personal stories were great and I appreciated the authors point of view on the healing power of Reiki.



2. The book was a bit informative but informs you that you need to take a Reiki class to really understand how to perform it. I was hoping to get more from the book.



3. Before I discovered this book I knew I wanted to become an Animal Reiki Practitioner. After I read this book I became an Animal Reiki Practition. This book was so inspiring I would often find myself with moist eyes after reading some of the heart warming stories of healing. I learned many techniques for giving Reiki to animals and that prompted me to take some of Kathleen Prasad's classes. I now am actively giving Reiki to shelter animals helping them to recover from the trauma of finding themselves in a shelter environment, helping them to heal from abuse and helping to to deal with the stress of being in a shelter. Plus there isn't an animal in the neighborhood who hasn't learned to love Reiki. My life has changed for the better because I read this book.



4. I found this to be an inspiring read. This well written book has many inspiring stories from the perspective of 2 Reiki Practitioners. As a Reiki Practitioner, who practices mainly on humans, I found the stories and advice well written. Elizabeth's explanations on how time seems to "fly" by, while giving animals Reiki, resonated with me as I find this happens quite often while giving Reiki treatments.
   
   The book covers mainly domestic animals but also contains stories about treating wild animals. This too was particularly interesting to me as I have found that wild animals often gather outside my Reiki studio. On one beautiful fall day, as I was sitting outside, I decided to offer Reiki to the wild animals. In a short amount of time I had a flock of wild birds gathered around me absorbing the healing energy. Not long after that the squirrels arrived. Although I practice Reiki frequently, I am still in awe each time. The healing energy is beautiful.
   
   I recommend this book for anyone interested in energy healing, learning new things or just looking for a good, uplifting book to read.



5. This book is a little vague, but still delivers a lot of necessary info on Reiki and understanding energy work with pets.

5 comments about Enslaved by Ducks.

1. Enslaved by Ducks is a great book that is very well written. Bob Tarte is an excellent writer with a delightful sense of humor. Enslaved by Ducks is a must read for not only animal lovers but those who are looking for a fun to read book. I strongly recommend Bob Tarte's book Enslaved by Ducks.



2. Bob Tarte is Hilarious. This book is for anyone who would like a quick read that makes you laugh out loud. I have read "Enslaved by Ducks" twice and usually would not do something like that unless I had forgotten I had read that particular book. These two books you will not forget. Bob Tarte is coming out with another book and most fans of this author are very excited. Great read!!!!!



3. I absolutely loved "Enslaved by Ducks," seriously laugh-out-loud funny! My mom heard about the book and purchased it for my husband and me after we unwillingly became the "parents" of two baby mallards. Well, Bob Tarte hits the nail on the head! Anyone who has ever fallen in love with an animal - be it two or four legged will absolutely love this book. The joys, the mistakes, the anquish, the laughter - it's all there. I have ordered "Fowl Weather" and can't wait to receive it!



4. I picked up this book and a sequel or two hoping they would be funny (as billed). They weren't. The animals are nice, some even quirky, but anyone who has spent any time in the country knows these stories. Those who don't know the country and its realities are likely to be distressed by these stories. Reading these, I repeatedly found myself thinking, this is a writer who, with nothing else to say, has turned to his ducks out of desperation to turn a buck. And then there are his depressions, his neurotic tendencies, his incompetency with animal enclosures, his mother's struggle with dimentia and his bafflingly helpless responses to her problems; this is all terribly sad and not at all funny. The author presents his oversights and shortcomings in managing the world of farm animals as humorous foibles, which they might be if not for the resulting fatal results for his animals. This book and its sequels are depressing. I would be embarrassed to tell my neighbors these stories, let alone publish them. They hold none of the charm of, say, the James Herriot series or others like it. Perhaps Bob Tarte writes perfectly good magazine features. If so, he should stick to that.



5. A funny little jewel of a book. Loved it, and you will too if you love animals. Is one pet ever enough?

5 comments about A Member of the Family: The Ultimate Guide to Living with a Happy, Healthy Dog.

1. The book arrived earlier than expected and in great shape. I haven't had a chance to read it yet but have enjoyed his other books.



2. I had already read Cesar Millan's first two books before purchasing this one. Although I already knew a fair amount about Cesar's philosophies regarding dogs, I was pleasantly surprised to find lots of new approaches to familiar things. Cesar really does know his subject, and he and Melissa do a great job of putting it all into an entertaining and understandable form. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone thinking about, or having just acquired a dog.



3. I think this book has too many stories about Cesar's interactions with dogs and families. And how he controls his dogs with positive energy, etc. But in real life we don't have a Cesar at our door and his books need to be more instructional in ways to show and teach the reader how to handle bad behavior and correct it. All the talk about calm energy is great but what if you have a household of kids who don't have that calm enegery! In my opinion, this book and 3 others I have bought are all pretty much the same all about Cesar and his dogs and not enough substance on real life training, family dynamics and how to control and correct behavior issues in the average home.
   A friend gave me a book to read "Puppy Primer" by Brenda Scidmore & Patricia B. MCConnell, Ph.D. and I would highly recommend it! In 63 pages she manages to address all types of issues and give a solution for the pet owner that is concise and easy to follow. Cesar has a wonderful relationship with dogs but not all us are Cesar's we need and want help to specific issues for everyday families, with kids, to live in harmony with the pets we've chosen to grow up and old with.



4. Ceasar Milan, The Dog Whisperer, has an interesting way of "getting through" to animals. He does not hit or yell at them, he treats them as park of a pack. Become the pack leader and you can control your dog. Treat them with respect, dignity and honor and they will treat you with love, affection and obedience. Read his book, learn from it and utilize it.A Member of the Family: The Ultimate Guide to Living with a Happy, Healthy Dog



5. While I enjoy watching the Dog Whisperer and his techniques, I wasn't that impressed with the book. It is almost as if - if you don't do these things, your dog will give you problems. Not everyone has the time to take their dog on a jog every morning for an hour or so and then take the dog somewhere to run.

5 comments about Paws & Effect: The Healing Power of Dogs.

1. Author Sharon Sakson has truly captured, and expressed beautifully, the intangible relationship we have enjoyed with our canine companions for millenia. Those who have experienced this special healing part of that relationship will relish this thoughtful and reflective book. For those who have not yet been touched by the power and healing effect of a dog, draw your furry friend close and curl up together with this book.
   
   I was so inspired, it was the perfect holiday gift for all my dog owning friends!
   
   Thank you Ms. Sakson!...can't wait to read your next book!



2. Dogs are a powerful resource for healing. Wonderful reading and the book was very heartwarming to read.



3. So many books focus on the really sad part about dealing with dogs. The fantastic thing about this book is that it deals with the most wonderful and happy things involved with dogs. I never had to cry. Nothing in this book preached the same wonderful importance of these friendly canines. Everything was shown and proven through stories written from the heart. These stories gave grand insight to the true nature of dogs and the tremendous range of their abilities. I honestly could not put this book down. Every page captivated me and enhanced my emotional understanding of human relation with dogs. If you're a dog lover, or simply someone who is up for a fun and interesting journey, you must read this book!



4. I read this book about 2 years ago. The book caught my eye, as I do love to read about the amazing bonds that animals and humans do have, as well as the great help dogs can be to some people.
   
   Once I read the section about raising puppies that would one day become guide and/or assistance dogs, I became fascinated. I immediately began researching different organizations that train these dogs, not even realizing there were so many! Since then, I have raised one puppy for the Guide Dog Foundation in Smithtown, NY. Now I am raising one for C.H.A.M.P.s out of St. Louis, MO. I didn't even know this was something that people do, I never even considered how these dogs were raised and trained, so it's been great to learn something new as well as having the opportunity to see how these dogs come to be guides/companions.
   
   This book sparked a whole new chapter to my life. I am thrilled to be able to be a part of this. I get to have the loving hugs & kisses from a pup while raising it to be such a big help for someone! I immensely enjoyed this book, along with the new little friends we have had in our home. This book will teach you a lot you might not have known about dogs, as well as fill your heart with so much joy!



5. This was a very enjoyable and interesting book. It weaved some scientific information alongside narratives of different people whose dogs have made a difference to their lives - and their health. We are all familiar with guide dogs but this book showed many other ways in which dogs can help those with disabilities or other problems, such as dogs that can detect the onset of fits, that can sniff out cancer, that can provide warmth to those with specific pains, and more.
   
   The book was well written in that the individual stories of owners and their dogs were engaging and the reader got a flavour of the relationship between pet and owner. My only criticism was that the book left me feeling that every dog probably had some fantastic healing benefit and when I look at my aged and naughty Weimaraner sprawled out on the bed I just can't see it in her. But perhaps she is just waiting for the opportunity to show her special talent!
   
   Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2009

5 comments about Horses For Dummies.

1. Love it, love it. I have known about some of this, but this book explains WHY it is done this way. Thanks



2. This is a very good book for beginner riders!! It arrived in a timely manner and the condition was perfect. I would buy from this seller again!



3. This is a GREAT book!!!!! I have been riding for years and years and love to step back and resolify the basics!!! This book is awesome for that and I even learned more that I did not know!!!!! This book is beyond a 5 star!!!



4. My wife and I have her horses on our property. I began to realize I would be "up the creek" if something happened and she wasn't here, so I decided to read this book. I know feel competent to handle procedure, and have it on our book shelf if I need it for a reference. I was surprised that I enjoyed the reading, and learning about these beasts. I am a much more confident beginning horse person now.



5. AFTER BUYING A 10 YR OLD MARE FOR OUR DAUGHTER, I FOUND THIS BOOK VERY USEFUL. A GOOD CHOICE FOR THE FIRST TIME HORSE OWNER.

5 comments about Marley & Me.

1. I just read the book and I could not stop crying the last two hours. I myself have a 15 years old cat. I can't say I agree with the author 100% on how he raised his dog but I am sure he tried his best. It is definitely a good book. I am just surprise how much I have cried the last two hours.



2. Usually I don't like or read non-fiction books, but I decided to read this one because I saw the movie. This book is very good and hard to put down. I read around four chapters a day and finished the book in less than two weeks. Th is book will make you laugh, cry, and think "bad dog." The book was much better than the movie beause they left off many parts of the book.
   
   Marley was truely a graet dog, despite causing problems and being disobiedient. After finishing the book, you can understand that Marley truely is the world's worst dog. Marley helped prepare John and Jenny to have kids. this book make you feel like it has happened to you. However, Marley has been through expirences that many of our dogs haven't, such as acting in a movie or nearly being struck by lightning.
   
   All of the characters in the family are great, especically Marley. you will laugh when Marley disobeys or does some thing he is not supposed to. And you will cry at the end of the book when Marley's body doesn't function too well and he passes on.
   
   All in all, a great book.



3. Works brilliantly as a memoir, hilarious anecdotes for dog lovers, insightful and honest information for prospective dog owners, hope and inspiration for those despairing of their dog ever being perfect or even normal and why just being who they are is perfect.
   
   A book you'll want to read again as soon as you've read it.



4. John Grogan brought to life the idea of inexperienced pet owners walking blindly into owning a dog. We all like to play and cuddle with a cute little puppy, but when the puppy gets to be bigger these same antics aren't so cute anymore. This is when the real time and effort needs to be brought on for the owner and pet. Like a child, without our guidance they will never be "the perfect dog".
   
   I trully enjoyed reading the story and later watching the movie version of the book. I think a lot of people put themselves into the mind set that if they can raise a dog and not kill it (like so many of us do with our house plants) then our future children have a chance. The book has a great storyline and one can really empathize with the characters. The life span of a dog is anywhere from 8-18 years and they really become a very important part of our lives. Thanks John for sharing one families story with us.
   
   This book is written for adults, but can easily be shared with children as young as eleven or twelve. My daughter plans to read it next and I expect to have a lot of talks with her about it as she gets through the various chapters. That is one great thing about a good book, it helps to bring out conversation and can help reinforce the bond between people with similar interests.
   
   By Kerri J. Busteed
   Author of Will's First Hunt Will's First Hunt



5. Wonderful true story about a family and a naughty Lab named Marley. This dog was kicked out of obedience school, careened through screen doors, ate everything that he could fit in his mouth, but managed to comfort his people at a difficult time in their marriage. The story made me laugh until tears rolled down my cheeks.

5 comments about The Daily Coyote: A Story of Love, Survival, and Trust in the Wilds of Wyoming.

1. Until recently I owned a coyote-dog mix, so my wife bought this for my birthday last year. I finally finished reading it last week, nearly 13 months later. I really thought I'd enjoy the book, hoping that it would give me insights into my dog's behaviour (even though she was nearly 16 years old it seemed we were constantly learning more about her wild side all the time). The book didn't deliver. It could easily have been a book about someone's first dog, except then you'd lose the drama of fearing that a neighbor would come by and shoot the coyote for sport. There was little about how dogs and coyotes differ and how when dogs and coyotes are raised apart they really speak distinctly different languages.
   
   If this book were a movie it would be a "chick flick." I suspect it will appeal to more women than men. To the author's credit, it is well written and the photos come close to justifying buying the book, or at least they may for some folks.



2. Beautiful story. Coyotes are an independant animal and this story is a true tale of the coyotes behavior, stubborn and loving in their own time.



3. This book was just a dear sweet story to read. I didn't want to finish it for fear something happens to Charlie!! This is also very educational for any pet owner. I happen to live in an area where we see coyotes on a daily basis and, I have always found watching them very interesting!



4. Couldn't put this book down. Really enjoyed the author's writing style. I could feel both her joys and her pain. It was a wonderful read and the pictures are beautiful.



5. Shreve captured my heart with the story of her darling coyote Charlie, cat Eli and the rest of the "farmily". Her writing and pictures made you feel part of the story. I loved it so much and raved about each new adventure Charlie was on, that my husband had to read it as well.