5 comments about Getting Your First Horse (Horse-Wise Guides Series).

1. This book is very informative for someone who knows nothing or very little about horses. There is alot involved in owning a horse and this book explains everything you need to know. This book combined with a person who knows alot about horses is invaluable.



2. Not a very good book for a beginner. Very poor on horse breeds or lack there of, didn't explain the types of horses or their temperment.



3. This book does have some good information for true beginners, but if you know even a teeny tiny bit about horses, you probably are too advanced for this book. The book also has an odd habit of introducing more advanced topics all of a sudden, with no explanation about them. If you want to learn more about any of these important topics, the author reccommends you ask someone who knows more than you do, or read another book! She does this frequently throughout the book, and I feel that some of these topics are truly the most important things to know about horsekeeping! Some of the info is dated, and it is poorly organized, and she presents many controversial topics, but neglects to say that there are more than one school of thought about it and just gives you one opinion as gospel. I was quite dissapointed with the book overall.



4. I've always loved horses and have wanted to own one. I'm getting serios about purchasing and this book was a great start. It brings up things to think about what you will expect, as far as cost and experiences when looking to buy a horse. If you want more detailed information and are a horse owning beginner, I would also recommend Horses for Dummies, has a lot more detailed information on more topics as well.



5. I have always been drawn to horses. Since I was a kid, I always thought them to be storng, beautiful creatures. As excited as I was to have my first horse, I was also very nervous that I would not know all that went into it. There's a lot more you need to do than I ever realized! This book really helped me get over my first time jitters and let me know what I needed to do, and I could just enjoy the riding. Great book for anyone who has ever dreamed of having a horse.

5 comments about Horses and the Mystical Path: The Celtic Way of Expanding the Human Soul.

1. I have just now started reading this book and am amazed by the material written. It is as if the writers are acknowledging what I have always felt about horses - the mystical connection throughout the years. This book is well written, enchanting and inviting to read. I firmly believe that horses are here to help us learn and grow spiritually as well as other areas of our life. In just looking into the eyes of horse, one can feel the connection that's always been there. The authors bring the mystical, magical, practical aspects of loving a horse and I am grateful for the gift they offer the world. I highly recommend this book! Karin Janin author of "Magic of Intention."



2. The first book, Horse Sense and the human Heart I think set the tone for the whole work of horse therapy. This is just a bunch of hoo ha about being Irish and horses.
   
   Buy the first one in vast quantities. It's the gold standard.



3. Intimate. This book paralleled my own journey with spirituality through horses. Stunning to read in deep and historic context. Important work; well worth the effort. Emotional: Many "AHA!" moments. This work brings together the spiritual, the historical, the philosophical and psychological here on earth.



4. As the synopsis describes, this book is about a relationship with horses built around an inward and outward journey that the authors undertook and share with the readers. My knowledge of horses and equestrian issues is fairly small and for that reason I abstain from commenting on this book on those grounds. On the other hand, I do hold some solid notions on some of the cultural and geographical references the authors use (I'm Portuguese and living currently in Spain).
   The recurring ignorance showed by some American citizens concerning non-American realities has become a sort of established joke outside the US borders. Unfortunately, the authors of this book live up to such jest. The description of the Iberian Peninsula portrayed in this book is, at times, so absurd, it gets hilarious. However, such absurdity seems to take itself quite seriously which impels me to warn off unwary readers, lest they might fall in love with the idea of visiting the place where its habitants, «The Iberians staunchly maintain that the horse is a gift from God, a gift to help humanity see the light and the truth» (p. 18). After all, it sounds quite tempting to meet the natives, if we take into account that «The Spanish people live close to this myth» - none other than the lost city of Atlantis (p. 19). Indeed, that's part and parcel of the whole country «culture's mythology» (Ibidem). Not surprisingly, then, it shaped the character of the «Iberian horse community» (p. 17), whatever that means.
   No doubt that bringing up the topic of Atlantis with the indigenous man in the street might raise some interesting situations, if somewhat unexpected ones. Not to mention the outcome of a visit to Galicia, hoping to meet the natives wearing the kilt and speaking Gaelic (p.32). I feel obliged to warn such travellers that unless they are endowed with a strong sense of humour, they are in for a major disappointment.
   Suffice to say that from the moment I read such proclamations, I couldn't take this book seriously, much as I wanted to. In fact, I couldn't finish it. Still, I choose to believe that the authors are well intended in everything they say and their attitude seems, overall, a good one.
   The exercise of gathering and melting down cultural references and traditions, so abundantly used in this book, is in itself an ambitious endeavour, one that few people are capable of mastering with accuracy, seriousness and grace. In this day and age, the thirst for existential meaning has made this kind of venture very popular despite the fact that, most often than not, such attempts fall very short indeed. This work is such a case. The journey for spiritual disclosure, through our cultural mazes, is a most enticing quest, but it should not, under any circumstance, depend on the easy observing of appearances. On such journey there are no valid «short-cuts».



5. I read this all too brief book in a leisurely fashion over two months. Every time I entered its pages I soon had the feeling that I was talking with an ancient yet brand new spiritual friend. The mystical visitations by the Scottish shepherd, the Spanish waiter, the Mexican cathedral guide, and the sensitivity and sensible knowing of the authors' prized horses pierce the veil in the most profound mystic traditions, yet ground us with their practicality, their inevitability. Yes, great forces are available to us if we only open ourselves. Good will, the wish to benefit other beings, shines from every page of this book. The authors' refreshing passages about communion are inspiring.
   
   The moment I reluctantly finished this book, I handed it to my fifteen year-old son, Eoghan, who was born in Ireland. An hour later he was hooked, too, or I should say befriended. I would like very much to meet these spiritualist authors. I don't know how I can afford it, but I would love to attend one of their equine retreats. Yes, that would be a valuable component to add to my own spiritual practice. For now, I thank them for their visitation, so like an answered prayer!
   
   --Robert McDowell, author of the forthcoming Poetry in Your Spiritual Practice.

5 comments about Red-Eared Sliders: From the Experts at Advanced Vivarium Systems.

1. The information in this book is all accurate. The author clearly knows what he is talking about. Unfortunatley there isn't much detail about certain aspects of owning a red-eared slider such as how much to feed it, issues of egg binding, behavior, how they process sensory input (vision and smell)etc. I was actually able to find more information on certain websites after doing a Google search. Not worth the money.



2. I have used this book for a couple of years now sort of as my "Bible" on raising my slider turtles, thanks to it I was able to sucessfully raise a hatchling & make upgrades to my setup to meet the needs of 3 growing turtles. It covers a broad spectrum of just about everything you need to know from housing to feeding to breeding. This is just a great book!!



3. All you ever wanted to know about this particular yet popular pet. Easy to read, all topics covered, small, cheap, get it.



4. I like this book because it easy reading.



5. This is a good basic book about red-eared sliders. You will learn details about sex identification and varieties, environmental needs, diseases, feeding, and even breeding. The author does a good job of describing the types and sizes of enclosures needed, water filtration, basking and light needs, and temperature. The need to have an easy system of water cleaning is emphasized. There is some discussion about recognizing symtoms of sickness and how to solve the problem usually either through changes in the environment or diet. Even with a book such as this, caring for turtles would definitely be somewhat of a learn as you go endeavor. This book can get one started but careful observation and fine tuning is required.

5 comments about Shock to the System: The Facts About Animal Vaccination, Pet Food And How to Keep Your Pets Healthy.

1. This is not the first book of this type I have read about vaccines, how awful pet food really is and alternative ways to keep your pet healthy. This book is very informative and has articles that relate to what I have found in other books by different authors, so there is a real problem in the pet food industry as well as with the vaccines and drug industry. Driscoll even gets into historical psychological facts about humans to show a correlation between human and animal side affect from drugs, vaccines, poor food and that modern medicine is not what it is cracked up to be. I have seen first hand what modern medicine can do to cats. I rescue, break up colonies and adopt them out. I have seen Revolution give cats seizures after only a couple day, high fevers for now reason appear after about two weeks for no reason. One of my cats has a burn from where I put the Revolution. This is a pesticide, I knew this, but I am having a really bad time with ear mites and was at my wits end. I have not used conventional anything on my cats in eight years and regret even this time. Revolution is a suppose to be safe and the conventional vet I bought it from thought I was a fool for waiting so long to use it. My cats are indoor only, but the rescues pose a problem sometimes and with all black cats I missed the ear mites in one. I pay very close attention to my cats and this is why I caught the problems. Most people put Revolution and their cat or dog and send them out the door. And, especially a cat, if it does not come home for a few big days no big deal. They have no idea the animal could have been suffering badly. I a dog they will probably run it to the vet and no one will suspect the Revolution is the culprit because the drug company says it is safe. Vioxx was said to be safe and how many other drugs are now under the gun for being not safe. Please get Dr. Pitcairn's book Naturally Healing for Dogs and Cats. Start with this and learn all you can about how to better the life of your dog and cat.



2. A very eye opening book for those that truly care about your pets. If more people would read this there would be alot less pets going to the vet every month for allergies, etc..
   A MUST READ!!!!



3. I was able to get my hands on Ms. O'Driscolls other book which is out of print now,"What Vets Don't Tell You About Vaccines" and I found it admirable she openly admits in this book she doesn't blame vaccinations only for the illness of her pets. She now is factoring in other possibilities. "Shock To The System" is full of information but I did not find it an easy read. I have read many many books on this topic and consider myself well informed. However it was hard to break down this book in layman's terms for easy understanding and comprehension. I did "get it" but I had to re read many topics over again. I do like that she factors in other reasons as to why our pets are dying horrible deaths at such young ages! Such as pet foods, stress and genetics. I'm a firm believer that vaccines are harmful to our pets and any responsible pet owner really needs to research this before handing over their pet to a veterinarian to decide what is best for them. Ms. O'Driscoll does point this out. Maybe your vet doesn't have your pets best interest at heart but rather their pocketbook !! The more I read the more I understand this. This is a good book to have but please do not stop with it. Protect your pet and read on!!!



4. Catherine goes into details with research from vets on the effects of vaccinations on our pets. Do they need annual vaccinations or are they causing our pets to become ill? Are vaccinations a moneymaker? Yes, pets should be examined yearly to insure good health, but vaccinations should not be the reason for this yearly health check. Catherine also encourages the reader to do more research on their own.
   
   Catherine talks about food and stress and their effect on your animal's health. Catherine used to feed exclusively a raw diet, but has since modified that stance to allow that it can be too much 'energy' for some animals and that a cooked or prepared diet may be more appropriate. Rare for those who have made the conversion to admit that it may not be the 'best' for all dogs.
   
   Shock to the System will make you think - not a bad thing!
   
   I'm looking forward to her visit in May 2006 on CSDogBookReview and learning more from her.



5. Catherine O'Driscoll presents Shock To The System: The Facts About Animal Vaccination, Pet Food And How To Keep Your Pets Healthy as an informed and informative study of the truths of stress and vaccinations and how such things may actually be the cause of illness in our pets. Readers will be enlightened as Shock To The System is one of the greatest analysis of modern realizations in pertinence to animal health. Shock To The System is very strongly recommended reading to all pet owners for its informational and "user friendly" information on all the elements of basic pet care.

4 comments about Raising Puppies & Kids Together: A Guide for Parents.

1. If you were thinking of adding a puppy to your household because you have kids in the house, get this book! It could save you from making a mistake about getting a puppy, possibly saving its life.
   
   Pia and Lynn cover choosing a breed that fits your household, why you shouldn't get a puppy to teach the kids responsibility, what it's like having a puppy in the house, and how you'll have to always keep an eye on the puppy and kids whenever they are together.
   
   Buy this book if you're a parent thinking about getting a puppy for your kids.
   
   Buy this book if a friend has kids and is thinking of getting a puppy.
   
   Buy this book if you *think* you might have kids in the future and want to prepare your dog(s) for their arrival.



2. Parents can't go wrong getting a puppy for the kid when they first look at RAISING PUPPIES AND KIDS TOGETHER, a fine manual where two top dog trainers how to socialize a puppy and teach a child pet management simultaneously. From infants through school-age kids, chapters cover the basics of how kids should interact with and play with a puppy - and how parents should monitor the interaction. From roughhousing problems to typical dog behaviors and communicating with the pet, chapters focus on dog behavior but include analysis and advise on kid interactions as well. An important owner's manual - for both puppies and kids.



3. This book is a "must" read for anyone who has a puppy (or adult dog) and is expecting a baby or who has a baby and planning to get a puppy. The book is a "really should read" for any responsible dog owner. There are tips and techiniques that will make your family's life with your dog much more rewarding. It is organized in a very "reader friendly" way, and for quick reference when needed



4. We bought this book because we are expecting our first child in a couple of months and wanted to know how to get our 1 yr old dog ready for the new arrival. The chapter on introducing your dog to the baby is very helpful, and they provide specific training activities to prepare your dog. I also found some of the general dog behavior explanations and advice to be very valuable, whether or not you have kids. I wish we had known about this book several months ago when our dog entered his "teenage" years.

4 comments about Understanding Cat Behavior.

1. I found this book to be very interesting, and I learned a lot from it. I'm a cat lover (not an expert) and I would recommend this book for anybody who is curious about the nature of cats, their behaviors, habits, instincts, etc. as they are found in nature.
   
   I live in a very rural, wooded area, and my cats have complete freedom to be inside or out. Without cats around, the mice would have chewed my entire house to sawdust years ago.
   
   I realize (from past experiences) that their lives are very risky compared to fat, pampered, defenseless, confined cats, but they are in their natural environment, are not overweight, are very active, lean, mean, love to hunt and are very happy. And, of course, they are wonderful companions!



2. Understanding Cat Behavior is an excellent first resource to learn about the evolutionary heredity of the domestic cat and how that heritage influences the behaviors of our modern animals. Roger Tabor gives much detail on common behaviors of all cats, large and small, as well as outlining the differences of feral and pet domestic cats from their larger and wilder cousins. Several common "behavioral problems" in our house cats are discussed and why those behaviors occur from an evolutionary stand point. His overview of feline lifestages and physical signals are a great starting point to learning more about the tiny predator in our homes.
   
   If you're looking for more in depth information about cat behavior, cat nutrition, or cat welfare this is probably not the book for you (I would suggest "Your Cat - Simple New Secrets to a Longer, Stronger Life" by Elizabeth M. Hodgkins, DVM Esq). However, if you're new to cat parenting, or never researched cat behavior, this book provides an easy start to understanding why your cat companions behave as they do.



3. This book was promoted as a cat behavior book. It has some interesting information about cat physiology, but the information on behavioral issues, such as scratching, not using the litter box, and so on, is really sketchy. I sent it back because the author is strongly in favor of outdoor access for cats but he never once mentions the potential dangers of life outdoors. He suggests that indoor-only cats are neurotic and unhealthy. But he says nothing at all about FIV or Feline Leukemia, nothing about dogs, mean people, cars, antifreeze, or any of the other dangers that you should consider before making the decision on whether to keep your cat indoors or not. My husband and I each lost great cats to FIV because we didn't know that we were putting them at risk by letting them out. I think it's irresponsible of Roger Tabor not to acknowledge the possible dangers of outdoor life.



4. U.K. biologist Roger Tabor's book is a cleverly illustrated and fairly comprehensive overview of feline behavior. Beautiful full-color photos are used very effectively throughout the text. However, his biologist's focus favors cats in their natural state. He sees the increasing trend towards confining cats in the U.S. and U.K. as a major contributor to behavior problems (p.120). While this may be true, many U.S. bird-lovers might dispute the British study he refers to that found outdoor cats were not threatening bird populations (p.135).

   This book is not a primary cat care manual, or a collection of detailed case studies, but it is an excellent supplemental text for any cat owner who wants (and needs!) to understand their pet better. Though much of it is not of any immediate use to owners of neutered/spayed indoor cats, the entire text is full of fascinating detail and illustration of all aspects of feline behavior throughout the life-cycle. Tabor starts from biological descriptions of the feline class and works towards the behavorial specifics. The problem-solving section is only the last 20 pp. of the book, but it seems thorough enough to cover most common situations.

   I gave this book the full 5 stars because it's very well done for what it offers. However, if you're primarily interested in spayed/neutered indoor cat behavioral issues, there are better books to advise you.

3 comments about Chesapeake Bay Retrievers (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

1. I really enjoyed this book--lots of information about the Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed and good pictures. It's the perfect book if you're new to the breed (like I was) and just want a general reference book about Chessies--or just want to know more about them.



2. I realy thought that this book was a great source of information! It told you how to groom and care for your chesepeake. It also said alot about where and how the breed originated. It is realy good for new Chessie owners.



3. This new Barron's paperback is a much better guide to Chessie ownership than the Henschel book. References Chessie's throughout the book. Example: Specific guidelines on how to shop for a Chessie pup - not just pups in general, depending on your need - show, hunt, or companionship. This 100 page book will get you off to a good start, or help explain the Chessie's reputation, help with training, and increase your general understanding of this underappreciated breed. Get it!

5 comments about My Cat Spit McGee.

1. Have read this a number of times ... ditto Morris's dog book ... continue to order both as gifts for first-time cat/dog-owners ... may they never go out of print!



2. Pet ownership is a responsibility as well as a joy. Owners who do not safeguard their pets are not doing the pets any favors; they are simply being irresponsible owners.
   
   When Morris writes, "I felt that [Spit McGee] should have one chance at least to become a father" I wanted to reach into his grave and slap him. In numerous other places he endangers his cat (and I assume dog in the earlier book) in the name of misplaced anthropomorphized freedom.
   
   These books should come with parental advisories: kids, don't try this at home.



3. I read this book in one day, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I highly recommend it to anyone who loves cats as much as I do. Great story!



4. I finished this book with my beloved Siamese, Tia, draped across my lap. As she looked up at me and I gazed down at her, I wondered what I found lacking about this novel. Was it not gushing or reverential enough? Was Morris too languid or episodic? It wasn't too bad necessarily, but it didn't leap out demanding 5 stars like I was hoping for when I saw it. There are of course mild laughs to be had by some of the anecdotes, and by the end the author's conversion is complete. Willie Morris, who apparently was always a `dog' man, circuitously comes into the company of split eyed Spit McGee. Spit grows on Morris over time. The rest of the novel details their interaction and the constant comparisons to his previous dogs. There are a couple groups who will read this book, those that have been cat lovers all their lives, and those like Morris who are joiners. I fall into the former camp. I think my disaffection here boils down to impatience with those who don't grasp the allure and majesty of cats initially, and need to go on some sort of personal vision quest to `get' it. Arguably, that may make the late comers appreciative, but the author's constant questioning, comparing, and reassessing of the cats love is unnecessary for the born ailurophile. Juxtaposed to the sloppy, loud, non-focused devotion of a dog, when a cat chooses to grace you as an object of affection it is a supremely special gift. Thankfully, it appeared that Morris eventually realized this.



5. I absolutely loved this little book! I saw the movie, "My Dog Skip" and was interested in reading the actual book and came across Spit and decided to buy both! I am a cat lover; have been all my life. It was really neat to read about Willie's journey into the cat world! Willie Morris' nostalgic writing style and how he learns to appreciate the uniqueness and quirky nature of the cat leaves you wanting more!

5 comments about The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: Coat of Honey — Heart of Gold (Howell's Best of Breed Library).

1. The book is very informative on the history of wheatens, breed info and specifications, etc. Pictures all black & white, except a few colored ones in the center of the book.



2. [[ASIN:158245017X The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: Coat of Honey — Heart of Gold (Howell's Best of Breed Library
   There are no books in Argentina about SCWT, breed, this book is so helpful to give me a hand with my close to 10 years old healthy Wheaten Ulises, who is my love, my best companion. I recomend this book.



3. This is the one book that anyone interested in Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers must have. It is accurate, informative, delightful to read and a beautiful book to own.



4. This is a good book to read if you want to know more about how the Wheaten came to be, tracing its history and breeding from Ireland to the US. It also offers some great information on grooming and showing the breed. It's a lovely book which includes some very nice color photographs, written by a woman who definitely knows what she's talking about!



5. It's very nice & informative BUT most of the pictures are Black & White...All Colored pictures would've been Better! Out of the 177 pages it had Only 8 (in the middle) were colored.

5 comments about The Holistic Dog Book: Canine Care for the 21st Century.

1. this is a great book for someone who is interested in alternative medicine, but knows little about it (like me). before I purchased this book I had purchased another book about cat & dog homeopathy that while very comprehensive, was not very easy to understand. this book however, very clearly and concisely explains the "who, what, when, where, and how" of not only homeopathy, but also alternatives including (but not limited to): herbology, aromatherapy, chinese medicine, accupuncture, etc. The book takes the approach of trying to convince someone slightly skeptical (again, like myself) of the merit and value of these therapies, and it does a very good job! in addtion to those topics it also covers nutrition and general health (lightly), and tackles everything with a good dose of common sense. very informative, and well written. highly recommended!



2. I would consider this a very strong complimenting book to go with Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats.
   
   This truly is a "Holistic" book, encompassing all areas of sharing your life with a dog. Denise Flaim delves into topics like nutrition, training, communication, vaccinations, allergies, Traditional Chinese Medicine, cancer and "finding the perfect vet" (to name a few). This book is also crammed pack full of herbal remedies and essential oil healing therapies. And at the same time, I find her writing style to be friendly and encouraging--not judgemental of the reader for picking one thing over another. And at the same time, encouraging the reader to find the "right balance" for you and your canine companion.
   
   I do not plan to practice healing through herbal and essential oil therapies on my own, but I do plan to seek out a holistic vet who will offer me these options for treating conditions and ailments of our canine friend.
   
   After a long and courageous fight, our Chihuahua finally went to eternal rest one week ago today. During his 13 years, he was consistently put on drugs like cortisone, prednisone and antibiotics to relieve him of symptoms like skin allergies, anal gland problems, nasal congestion, etc. All of which finally manifested into Inflammatory Brain Disease. I am finally realizing that I probably could have prevented most if not all this by providing a more nutritious diet. I believe in the philosophy that symptoms are just what we see on the surface of a more fundamental problem and by using drugs like these to provide temporary comfort does not always address the root cause.
   
   I borrowed this book from my library, but now after reading it cover-to-cover, I will purchase a copy to go along with Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats. Between these two books, and a partner relationship with a good holistic vet, I am better prepared to make decisions about our companion's health and happiness.



3. Brilliantly done! Not since Dr. Pitcarin's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats has there been a more concise and comprehensive book on holistic health care for our companion animals. Page after page is written with enthusiasm and true understanding of what holistic health care is all about. Ms. Flaim's book is very well researched and packed with valuable information from the nation's leading experts. If you have never used holistic care or you have done so for years there is information in this book for you. The Holistic Dog Book: Canine Care for the 21st Century is a "must have" for your reference library.



4. Ms. Flaim gives you all the information that you would need to make an informed decision about holistic care for your dog. Holistic care does not replace Veterinary medicine, but can be a very valuable source of help, according to Ms. Flaim. Everyone who owns an animal should read "The Holistic Dog Book".



5. This is a wonderfully informative book filled with many options on health and training. It captures the reader with the use of natural, herbel and emotional management tools for your canine. It was an enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone who owns a dog.