3 comments about In a Desert Garden: Love and Death Among the Insects.

1. This book relates some of the observations that Alcock made when he converted his grassy lawn in front of his Arizona house from grass to desert flora. In his neighborhood, residents dutifully maintained wide swaths of green grass through continuous fertilizing, watering, cutting, and trimming. They controlled pests and weeds through spraying, but if they missed one chemical treatment or watering, unwanted species would begin to take over. When Alcock first moved to the area, he went along with local custom for several years. Finally, he asked himself why he was working so hard to maintain grass at such high economic and environmental costs, when it was really the desert surroundings that he enjoyed. It took some effort to kill his lawn and replace it with a yard filled with thriving desert species, but maintenance eventually became much easier and cheaper once he had landscaping fit for the local environment.
   
   As an entomologist, Alcock greatly enjoys observing the insect life in his new yard. In this book, as well as describing how he transformed his yard, he also describes such insects as ladybugs, praying mantises, earwigs, desert termites, paper wasps, bees, grasshoppers, inchworms, whiteflies, mayflies, and aphids. The book is arranged into chapters by topic, including chapters on insects that control pests, compost lovers, insects that sting, camouflage experts, alien insects, and migrating insects. In reading the book, I was struck by how fascinating the lowly insect species can be. The book is written in an informal style appropriate for general readers. It is illustrated with black and white drawings by Turid Forsyth. Scientific sources are listed in a bibliography at the end of the book (but not referenced directly in the text), and there is an index.



2. John Alcock loves Nature. Sometimes, though, getting from a suburban home to the wilderness he relishes can be tedious. So he brought some of his favoured Sonoran Desert environment to his front yard. Using a ramshackle Kubota tractor, he stripped away the layer of Bermuda grass surrounding his house. Over time, and with no little effort, he transformed that yard into a little pocket of desert environment. All this was more than an exercise in redecorating, however. Alcock studies insects, especially their mating rituals, and this transplanted environment gave him ample opportunity. Even if his practice of crouching over desert shrubbery at odd hours raised a few neighbourhood eyebrows.

   Alcock loves what he does, imparting his passion to us with lively prose. His academic background merges with his expressions of feeling to keep this book a delight to read. This blending places his writing skills in a comfortable [and comforting] niche somewhere between E. O. Wilson and John McPhee or David Quammen. He keeps you at ease as he builds the desert floor, inserts shrubbery and vegetables, and welcomes the bird and insect visitors to his creation. He protects the native species of plants and animals where possible, but doesn't summarily reject harmless exotics. And he carefully explains how to tell the difference.

   The underlying reason for the garden's transformation was to attract insects. Alcock is at his best in watching, analysing and explaining the life styles of desert bees, wasps, beetles and the rest. How did they develop those behaviours? What do their activities it mean to us humans, who are too often ardently killing the ones in our own gardens. He poses his questions with the puzzlement of fresh discovery. Then, adroitly picking through the available evidence - while calling out for further studies - he sifts through the optional answers to deliver the most likely, and most logical scenario. Yet, at no point are you being "lectured to". Instead, you are introduced to some of the awesome array of variation nature offers. This is no specialist's daunting lecture, but the confessions of a man who finds wonder in small things. It's also, of course, an example for any reader to enter his own yard to consider restoring it some state of origins instead of developer's artificiality.

   Alcock's view of his environment isn't wholly without concerns, however. There's no question of his concern for the impact of unrestricted "development". Phoenix, the urban hub of his home in Tempe, is one of the fastest growing cities in the US. With reconstructed landscapes, imported species, proliferating golf courses and a staggering consumption of water, this emblem of "progress" is another urban blight on the landscape. Alcock is uncomfortable with this situation, but nearly helpless to block it. His example of bringing some of the countryside into the city and restoring a bit of balance at a time is an example we should all consider carefully. His book's photo collection will make every gardener smile knowingly. The illustrations portray the object of his studies. With this combination he has produced an example of what a single individual [with some spousal support] can achieve, and told us all about it in this fine book. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]




3. I thoroughly enjoyed this intersting, thought provoking book from John Alcock. His thoughts on the modern American lawn should be required reading in the suburbs. The world would be a better place if all would read and comprehend his thoughts on connecting ourselves to the myriad wonders that go on all around us every day.

5 comments about Rainbows and Bridges: An Animal Companion Memorial Kit.

1. This is one of the few books that helped pull me through. Others were very religious or didn't reach the part that I needed to start healing. This book was compassionate and did everything I needed to start my healing process. It supports your grief and allows you to grieve and then helps you start your healing process. It's absolutely amazing. The journals, the memorial cards, and the book are all sensational.



2. I recently lost my little dog, Toby, through an animal attack. I have been devastated. Toby was my heart. In the local bookstore I asked if she had anything on pet loss and she showed me this book. I read it through and found so much comfort. No where else had I come across such inspirational material with regards to our beloved animal friends. I wrote his name an the cards, and reread the book. The journal was enormously helpful and I wrote the things about him I didn't want to forget . From there I made a small scrap book, using the paragraphs I'd written in the journal.
   
   I wouldn't find the need to do this with all my animal companions, but Toby was a special friend, and this kit helped me a great deal towards the beginnings of healing.



3. Rainbows & Bridges is the first set to address the need for mourning the death of an animal in the family, offering the clergy member authors' insights on healing. It's more than a book - it's a kit of materials which walks adults, kids and even other household pets through the grieving process, identifying 'rainbows' and 'bridges' which allow the user to move from grieving to recovery. From what things should never be said to someone whose pet has died to how to support a person suffering from pet loss and how kids and adults adjust, Rainbows & Bridges covers the entire process from initial loss to phrases of grieving and considering a new pet.



4. The kit is wonderful and I know it will help a lot of people through the grief that comes from losing a beloved pet. Just knowing they are not alone in that grief will be healing. Hearing the stories of other people who have experienced what they are experiencing will give them the courage to go on.



5. I am thrilled to have this beautifully presented resource in my home office now. For decades I've been working with people and their pets as a minister, teacher, healing arts practitioner and writer, and I have never seen anything like this loving work. Allen and Linda Anderson have compiled an exquisite collection, a warm and graceful toolbox that's destined to become a classic for helping us honor our animal kin. An invaluable treasure map at your fingertips! Rainbows And Bridges An Animal Companion Memorial Kit has jumped to the top of my holiday shopping list for gifting family, friends, neighbors, students, clients and congregants. Thanks Angel Animals Network!

1 comments about Low GI Cookbook: Over 80 Delicious Recipes to Help You Lose Weight and Gain Health.

1. Very informative book on glycemic index diet and foods that either increase insulin output or keep it stable. I'm very pleased with this purchase.

4 comments about When Your Pet Dies: How to Cope With Your Feelings.

1. I purchased this book along with several others after a complex (non-emergency) euthanasia decision I knew long in advance was a lose-lose situation. I knew euthanizing my precious elderly animal because of intense personal duress would almost be tantamount to suicide, and I waited until circumstances had broken me before proceeding with it. (So far, my dire prediction has proved true; the aftermath *is* as bad as anticipated.)
   
   Mr. Quackenbush's book was the first to arrive. My grief is so deep I didn't think anything written by a stranger would do more than divert me. I had no expectation at all a book might help me by hitting nerves and letting the pain flow, a situation infinitely preferable than the numbness and despair I lapsed into. But the book accomplished this in two ways: 1) The author wisely, humbly, and frequently makes disclaimers about "complex" or "unusual" reasons certain people are forced to choose euthanasia. Quackenbush is or was affiliated with the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and, while his book is a succession of anecdotes, he shows exquisite sensitivity in selecting particular stories of pet loss. Many if not most of these stories note how stressors IN ADDITION TO the looming prospect of euthanasia play a part in the horrible time for the pet owner. Finally, he assures the reader that euthanasia will most likely be the ugliest decision any human being will have to make--which in itself is tremendous and tender comfort.
   
   2) He makes the reader feel, throughout, as if he is on *your* side. In other words, his book is about as apolitical and compassionate as a book on such a subject can be. Although I do not recall if he uses these exact words, he let's you know that *you're* an animal too, deserving of the same kind of compassion and unconditional love he is certain you showed your beloved companion animal.
   
   This is a magnificent book. I am less than two weeks into the ugliest time of my life, a time that puts me in mind of Emily Dickinson's great poem, "After Great Pain." To paraphrase Dickinson, if I "outlive" this pain in addition to "remembering" it, I will owe more than a little thanks to this author for making me feel as if I was part of a sad, sad society, instead of the loneliest soul on the face of the earth...who CHOSE to separate from the one little being who meant more to me than life presently means.



2. I can't say enough about how this book helped me. I remembered reading about it years ago in a magazine. I searched and finally found one in a new age bookstore! I have loaned this book out so many times.
   
   I have found that the reader has to be ready to read......so give it all the time you need. Once you are through you will be so glad the book was written.
   
   Thank you Jamie Quackenbush for helping me through a very sad time. K



3. I've read three pet loss books for adults (two when my dog was dying, and one a few months after her death), and I think this is the best one of the three. The author pretty much hit it on the spot about all my feelings associated with the loss of my dog. The book made me feel that I'm not alone in the loss of my doggie "soul mate", that it's okay to feel this bad for a while when an animal companion dies. Yet he doesn't make generalizations, like some books do. He said certain things work for most people, BUT there are exceptions. Although at the end I feel that I'm just like most people, but at least the book gave me "permission" to think of other options.



4. I'm surprised no one else has reviewed this wonderful book. I happened to run across it at my local library.Two weeks after euthanising my Cat of seventeen years,I practically fell apart in the bookstore browsing the pet section .I knew i had to look at my feelings of grief. This book was such a compassionate friend to me during that time.He quoted alot of others' experiences with their losses and the pain they felt. This helped me so much to truly feel my loss,especially since I had put him to sleep.the guilt over that can really wreak havocwith you.There is a section specifically about that ,too.His chapters cover all the ways you can lose a pet,which was welcoming.What I loved most about it was his understanding that your grief is as real as losing a person,just as deep and your love,just as strong.As soon as I opened the book,I didn't feel foolish any more,and let the tears flow.And consequently,I was able to move through my grief much quicker.It's a warm,compassionate book,and I was looking for it for a friend who just lost a pet too.I highly recommend it.

5 comments about Old Dogs Remembered.

1. Like a good box of chocolates, this book is best consumed one piece at a time, slowly, with time to ponder, cry, and hug your dogs between portions. In Daniel Pinkwater's perfectly crafted essay, the reader can actually feel the writer's love for his big old fur-friend. I'm crying just thinking about it. Anyone who has had to put down an adored dog, anyone who has lost an old pal to illness or accident, will love this book. But it should come with a warning -- may cause ceaseless sobbing. It's worth the tears.



2. I first read this book when my own dog died. The collection of stories from sometimes famous writers about their own dogs and own losses is incredibly moving. It helped get me through a rough time. Since then I've given the book to others when they've lost dogs (or cats) and each one has really appreciated it.



3. This is a great book to read if you are grieving the death of a beloved dog. This a great collection of short, long, moving, funny, serious, and sentimental stories about dogs. Many of the writers are unfamiliar names to me and I found myself wishing that the book included a brief bio of each author, or at least the date of the first publication of each story.



4. Some of the greatest writers of our times have humbled themselves to celebrate the memory of lost dog-friends amd provide us with a spiritual boost. To experience the depth of feeling and understanding a human and dog can share is only possible through direct experience, or through the masterful language of these gifted people.
   
   As a dog trainer, shelter worker and rescue volunteer, I am continually confronted with man's inability to respect, admire and wonder at the enrichment domestic dogs and cats bring to our lives. Even the most expensive purebred specimens are not exempt from man's ability to be inhumane.
   
   Knowing that human intelligence and emotion at its highest levels of achievement and expression, through the works of these brilliant writers, recognizes the treasure that is the dog's presence in our lives, and deeply mourns its loss, gives me continued hope for humanity.
   
   Barbara Davis
   BADDogsInc
   Corona, CA



5. Old Dogs Remembered is a wonderful collection that reflects on the joy of being owned by a dog and being the object of unquestioning devotion. While it is the collected remembrances and obituaries for famous people's dogs long past, it also focuses the reader on the dogs in our lives now. Our dogs pass away, but we have the power to make sure they are remembered. Take a minute to reflect on your current companion or one that awaits you in an afterlife that can only exist because we love our pets. Write his or her story, and save it, for yourself, your children, or just for the future. All old dogs deserve to be remembered.

2 comments about Goodbye, My Friend.

1. "Poignant keepsake for the grief stricken pet owner.The Author of My Angels Wear Fur has written another book that is impossible to put down."



2. This was the only thing that helped me heal after the death of my sweet cat, Smudgie. I was in SUCH pain until I bought this book, just on a whim. I read it one night, and didn't really imagine it would be as helpful as it was. The next morning, it was the first morning I felt I could get out of bed. I've bought about 40 copies since to have on hand to give to people who are suffering from the loss of a precious pet. It's so painful and nobody seems to understand. I've had people react as though I'd gotten a flat tire, or something. The authors of this wonderful book clearly understand.

4 comments about Angel Whiskers.

1. No matter what the circumstances of your loss, there will be a poem or story here that reflects it. For anyone who has lost a beloved cat or is looking for a way to comfort someone who has, I highly recommend this book.



2. This book has helped me release some of the pain suffered through losing my beloved feline friend. The deep realization that others also mourn such devoted pets, makes one feel less alone. The vintage photographs portray the love people can feel for these remarkable creatures known as Cats.



3. Whether you are a dog or a cat lover, you will find "Angel Whiskers" especially inspirational, and fully realize the strength and unbreakable bond that exists between humans and animals. The photos, stories, and memorials are those everyone can relate to on a personal level. Both "Angel Whiskers" and "Angel Pawprints" will always provide me with the comfort I need in remembering my beloved pets.



4. This book contains a lovely collection of written poems and memorials to beloved cats. The Cleveland Amory tale of the passing of Polar Bear is classic and guaranteed to make you weep. Also contained herein is the famous "Rainbow Bridge" poem by Anonymous. But new to me was the answering poem "Request from Rainbow Bridge" by Constance Jenkins, which I had not seen before and which I found to be one of the best pieces in the book. There is a small excerpt from the wonderful little book "Charles: the story of a friendship" by Michael Joseph which is sadly out of print, but well worth the effort of trying to track down a copy. The written tributes were most moving and offer some warmth from the freezing, howling winds of grief at the loss of a beloved "fur-person". The vintage photographs presented with the poems and stories were also surprisingly touching. Looking at them, the love humans had and have for their pets is a tangible and powerful emotion captured on film. I found this book to be much more of a balm for sorrow than "The Heart that is Loved Never Forgets". It is a good companion book to Philip Schreibman's "My Cat Saved my Life" and would make an extremely thoughtful gift for someone who is mourning their cat.

5 comments about Three Cats, Two Dogs: One Journey Through Multiple Pet Loss.

1. Mr. Conglaton took a heartbreaking event and turned it into a joyous remembrance. His skillful writing enables the reader to acquaint themselves with his pets. This is a moving testimonial to his best friends who were taken from him abruptly. Anyone who has owned a beloved pet and lost them before their time should read this book. It will make you cry, but the joy that he and his wife received from these cats and dogs will keep you reading to the very last page. I particularly enjoyed reading the newspaper columns that he wrote about his friends and felt I knew each one. Must Read!



2. First some background--A few years ago some stray and ferel cats started adopting me. Due to the life they led they all came with major medical problems (FIV, FeLk, FIP, kidney failure and more). I loved them all, I cared for them all through very long, painful, illnesses. I had to make agonizing choices, put them through painful proceedures, watch them suffer, and watch them all die. I loss 6 in the course of one year. And others before and after that year. That's why I bought this book.

   I don't want to discount the author's grief over the loss of his pets, which I can wholeheartedly understand and commiserate with, but his "journey" is so unlike anything that any other pet owner on the face of the earth is ever likely to go through, and he was so blind to the gifts that he received that the rest of will never even come close to, that I found myself incensed at his bad attitude and behavior. I could not in any way relate to this mans "journey."

   His animals died quietly in their sleep. He didn't have to live with long terminal illnesses, painful treatments, or horrible decisions. I don't want any of my pets to die, but as they have to, I would pray to have them pass as his did rather than suffer through illness. But was he even remotely grateful for such a quick and painless passing? No.

   He was a public figure so hundreds (no joke!)of people offered their sympathy and support to him. But there were two people who did not...and he was so angred by these two people that he felt it necessary to write about them, by name, in this book. A whole whopping two people were insensitive to his ordeal and this so enraged him that he felt it necessary to lash out at them? Poor baby. If I could find two people who understood what I was going through I'd feel blessed and lucky.

   He got to stop working, due to his grief. Have any of us ever had that luxury? Or did our bosses not want to hear about it? Again, was he grateful? or annoyed when people hinted it was time to come back to work?

   He held a public memorial service for his pets in a theater and it was standing room only. He got to talk about it, share it, let it go. How many of us get any opportunity to talk about our dead pets to anyone, least wise hundreds of people? Most of us know that no one wants to hear about it. We have to keep it inside. Again I feel he was blessed and yet he didn't see it.

   Despite his grief he got twice as many new pets within a very short period of time. But does he enjoy them? No, in fact, he refuses to even celebrate Christmas with new pets. And once again gets irritated when a couple of people don't understand this. This proved to me that he learned nothing from the deaths of the original five....life is short and can be taken at any moment. He should have celebrated joyously that he had new pets...but he "couldn't bring himself" to do so. I barely had time to grieve one death before another was occurring yet I assure you I celebrated Christmas and every other day I could with the new pets.

   The authors attitude annoyed me. He was given the best of everything and it still wasn't enough for him. If he had seen those five pets through long, painful, illnesses one right after the other, and had to grapple with painful treatments and surgeries, when to euthansize, digging a grave in his backyard one night and getting up and having to go to work the next day, all the while having no one to talk to about this...then he might begin to understand what the average pet owner goes through. I don't think he has a clue what it's like for the rest of us....and I hope he never has to.




3. Just finished another interesting paperback book I bought thru Amazon.com titled
   Three Cats and Two Dogs--One Journey Through Multiple Pet Loss by David Congalton. Copyright 2000 Publisher: NewSage Press

   It is a story about a writer who is also a radio talk show host and his wife who lose all their five pets one night in December 1997 to an accidental fire while the couple was out. In the months that followed, not only were they grief stricken and felt a deep sense of loss but also felt a sense of guilt and great emptiness. Within months and after lots and lots of tears, they started to "move on" as best they could. Within two years they had rebuilt their fur family including among them several handicapped animals. At the end of the book, their family consisted of a grand total of nine cats, one kitten and four dogs and they couldn't seem happier although they will always think about the night when all 5 of their pets died.
   This is a great book for anyone who has ever lost a pet and would understand the couple's grieving process. And happily the book does end on a joyous note.
   Happy Reading.




4. Having suffered pet loss in two different forms, ( as a result of death and as a result of a divorce) I could empathise and sympathise with David and Charlotte on losing not just one animal companion, but five. Although I do not by any means claim that I fully understand the depth of their grief, no one truly can. Grief is an individual process and experience, because of the relationships that exist between all individuals.

   As I read this book I could only do so a page at a time, stop to cry and grieve for David and Charlotte and then move on again sometime later, to the next page. Once I read up to Chapter Four (I think it was) I could proceed reading normally, although somewhat bleary eyed.

   This is a truly moving and emotionally draining encounter of love, connection, companionship, loss and grief in the truest sense.

   My condolences and my congratulations to David and Charlotte, not just on their loss and a wonderful book respectively, but also for being able to 'see the light' in a time of darkness, by showing the world how animal companionship is, in its most pure and deepest form, and for being able to 'move on' out of respect for five wonderful soul companions.

   As a result of reading their true story, David and Charlotte inspired me to commit 'deeds, not just words' to the animal kingdom. I have committed my spare time to my local animal shelter (Blue Cross Animal Shelter)...and as a result of that deed, I adopted two cats and a rabbit....(to add to my two canine companions and rabbit!!!!)

   You two should be proud of yourselves...your committment is infectious.

   Well done David and Charlotte.

   Blessings for all Animals. May they always have people such as yourselves to see them in peace and harmony, with love.




5. This book tells me it is okay to grieve and it does it very well. The problem is I already knew it was okay to grieve because I was grieving - terribly. I wanted to find out how to deal with my grief. I read a lot of reviews and a lot of books, but the only books that worked for me were Will Fido Be in Heaven and Cold Noses by the pearly gates.

2 comments about Remembering My Pet: A Kid's Own Spiritual Remembering Workbook for When a Pet Dies.

1. Pets are (or should be) a part of every child's growing up. Caring for pets teaches children so many essential values about life and responsibility. One essential and unavoidable aspect of having a companion animal is that they will inevitable die. Sometimes of old age with all the medical complications associated with aging. Sometimes suddenly from accident or injury or error. The death of a pet is also a life-teaching aspect that if properly handled, can provide a child with values that will carry on to their benefit throughout their adult years as well. "Remembering My Pet: A Kid's Own Spiritual Workbook For When A Pet Dies" is the collaborative effort of Nechama Liss-Levinson and Molly Phinney Baskette to provide parents with a means of helping children ages 7 to 13 to cope with the loss of their pet through such means as planning a memorial service, recording photo memories of their animal companion, honoring their pet's memory by sharing with and giving to others, and so much more. Strongly recommended - especially for anyone who has lost an animal companion - "Remembering My Pet" will enable a child to express and deal with their feelings by drawing, writings, reading, creating, and engaging in activities that will result in a memorial keepsake they will treasure for the rest of their own lives.



2. This is a great gift for any kid whose pet just died, whether the pet is a dog, cat, hamster or rabbit. I really like it because it respects children's feelings, and understands that the loss of a pet can be as profound and sad for a kid as the loss of a friend or family member. At the same time, it offers ways for kids to learn to remember, grieve and go on with life.
   Missy Chase Lapine
   Author, The Sneaky Chef

5 comments about Legacies of Love, A Gentle Guide to Healing from the Loss of Your Animal Loved One.

1. For those who have ever loved and lost a beloved, this guide is a great source of comfort. Sensitive and heartwarming, a wonderful gift when words just are not appropriate. The unconditional love of a pet is such a source of joy, but when we lose them, the heartache can be unbearable. Having been there, I understand how paralyzing grief can be. Arlene Millman...



2. Purchasing "Legacies of Love" was perhaps one of the best things I could have done to help me through my grief after losing my precious dog on 3/7/02. It has only been a few weeks, and I listen to Teresa's soothing voice and comforting words every day to get through this "coping" period. Her validation that deep grieving over pet loss is undervalued by many on-lookers and "supporters", but completely normal to those of us grieving, brought a sense of peace during a time when there are so many emotions. Those who have lost their companion(s) and don't know how they will go on, will find Teresa's tapes a tremendous source of comfort and graceful inspiration. In honor of my beloved Pupster, I have purchased two additional sets of "Legacies of Love" to donate to my veterinarian's office in the hope that someone facing deep grief after losing their animal will find as much comfort in her words and wisdom as I have.



3. Very soothing voice, tone and message. She really helps the hurt and I am glad I made this purchase. I will share it with others and recommend it. I only wish there was a bit more insight into the religious side of loss - something that I could know was of God. Still - excellent.



4. This tape provides important comfort and guidance during one of life's
   most difficult experiences. Don't miss it.



5. Haveing lost my beloved mare in a tragic, unexpected accedent, I have been lost and confused. It can be difficult to find someone who understands just how painful it can be to loose a close friend that happens to have four legs.

   Teresa understands. She knows what it is like, and her voice is like a soothing guide to recovery. The tapes are filled with information and guidence, as well as personal experiences. I found them to be profoundly healing as I began to accept her death, and learn to get past coping. If you have experienced the death of your animal friend, you won't be sorry you bought this.

   This would also be a welcome gift for those who have lost their animal friends.