Pet Books

I spent much of my life as a cowgirl. Back then, no one considered dressage for basic training. Now that I am learning dressage, I needed someone to visually explain the maneuvers and the reason for how to execute them. This ol' cowgirl needed plain basic instructions and this book is the only one I consider easy to understand. That's a mouthful when it comes to dressage, but the book delivers. Within a year, we are working on 3 rd level, and I have much to thank the book that backs up what my trainer tries to explain.
the author of: Roses and Locoweed: The Life of a Cowboy's Wife and The Winter Years of World War II

Every horse person can benefit from Jane Savoie's "Cross Train Your Horse: Book One:Simple Dressage for Every Horse, Every Sport. This a clearly written "guide" for any discipline. I am planning on using it as one of the text books for a college course: Dressage for the Competition Horse

This book was exactly what I wanted. I've ridden hunters for all of my life but am starting to train in dressage. Though this cover basic dressage work such as turn-on-the-forehand, leg yielding, etc, it gives you details from a dressage point of view. I recommend it for anyone(English or Western) that has a stiff horse in need of suppling work through basic dressage.

I really enjoyed this book for it's easy to follow exercises and well thoughtout training plan. I can actually see what the author is talking about in my own horses.

I purchased Cross-Train and More Crossing Training by Jane Savoie about two years ago based on all the 5 star reviews these books received.

Unfortunately, these books were a disappointment to me. I struggled to finish Cross-Train and I never could get into reading More Cross Training. The text, even though helpful to most people, just seemed to drag on for me. Perhaps this was caused by Ms. Savoie's writing style; perhaps it was just me. (I have found Feeling Dressage by Ruth Sabine Schaefer more to my liking.)

On a positive note, these books have many nice pictures and illustrations which many people should find helpful.

GREAT (and best of all, TRUE) stories of the Bear, get it, you'll not put it down till everyone in the story is safe!

I live in Alaska and spent the summer camping with brown bears in Katmai National Park. I can say from experience that everything in this book is myth, grotesque fantasy, made up nonsense and lore. These types of book feed the false stereotype that bears are man eaters, which they are not. For example, hundreds of tourists a day walk with bears in Katmai National Park. The only fatal bear attack in Katmai, since it was opened in the 1920's, was Timothy Treadwell - and he was mentally ill. When bears are treated without violence, they are peaceful. This book is nothing more than propaganda by the hunting establishment. If people knew that children and the elderly walk safely with bears every summer, it would seem really pathetic to go out and shoot them. Read Grizzly Heart by Charlie Russell if you want to read a book about real bears.

The author of this book, Larry Kanuit, is standing in front of my high school English class right now telling the students how he researches his books and how he writes. About myself: I was a journalist for 15 years before becoming a teacher; much of that career was spent in Alaska. I now teach in Bush Alaska. Most of my students are Native Alaskans. Reviewers who have stated that the author is inventing his stories are wrong. Period. Bear-lovers who say that the author is demonizing bears sound as if they have no real-life, consistent, up-close experience with bears. True, most bears leave you alone. Also true, bears are unpredictable and they will attack, maul, and kill you, without provication or apparent reason. Kanuit is explaining right now to the students how he interviews the victims (or survivors), uses police and fish and game documents, and essentially "writes a research paper." His research is good. I happen to know some of the same people in his stories, and their stories match the stories in the book. It's a good read. You won't want to walk into the Alaskan Bush without a good firearm, though.

Larry Kaniut has made a career of writing white-knuckled real life thrillers. This book is no different. It's kind of like a car accident, once you start reading you can't turn your eyes away. It's easy to get into the book but hard to put down. What better material than bear attacks to capture your imagination.

There are lessons to learn from this book, but for the most part it is a collection of sensational bear stories presented for their entertainment value. If you are looking for a scientific look at bear attacks, this might not be the book for you - Try Stephen Herrero's Bear Attacks, Their Causes and Avoidence.

If you want a book that throws one gripping bear attack after another, get this one. And if you didn't get enough from this book, try More Bear Tales by Larry Kaniut.

One more bit of advice, read this one in your bedroom, not in a tent in the middle of Denali National Park.

Kaniut repeats the same story 200-300 times. A man or woman bumps into a bear. The bear tears the man or woman to pieces. You get all the gross details about their injuries. They speculate about what went wrong. To me, this is like reading a book about 300 car accidents. There's an accident. You get to read clinical descriptions about the injuries people suffer. The survivors speculate about what went wrong. Just as people in auto accidents tend to blame the other driver, the people in Kaniut's bear tales tend to blame the bear for the accident. As a rule, the people injured by bears in Alaska Bear Tales don't know the first thing about bears, so you, the reader, get bombarded with inaccurate, biased information about bears. All the negative comments about bears add up; this book portrays bears as monsters or demons.

It's kind of a toss up.
This book or Salem's Lot, which is better?
"Pet" is simply, brilliant, disturbing, and unforgettable.
Another masterpiece that was made into a disaster of a movie.
Like Salem's Lot, ignore the movie(s) and go with the books.
"Pet" is a page turner, I think I ripped through it in a few days.
The characters, the story, the ATMOSPHERE are just remarkable.
King at his most masterful.
Another must read must buy.
My only complaint is the new cover art. HORRID!!!
I bought the paperback way back in the day that had the creepy cat with the green eyes and the red cemetary back ground.
Oh well, that MINOR complaint shouldn't scare you away from reading one of King's best works.
Easily in the top ten best books I've ever read.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

Creepy but really compelling, Stephen King once again offers a page turning story that is more about the characters then the scares. When the scares do come, they seem more shocking because of the character development. Fun and interesting read.

Pet sematary is one of my fave stephen king novels. Its a smoothe and easy read that keeps you on the edge of your seat i would recommend this book to anyone and its a must read for any true stephen king fan.

I am sure this isn't news to anyone but this is a good book. Stephen King has had so many books made into movies & I thought this movie was a little better than most. The book of course is better than the movie. Don't read this if you are out alone in the forest in a log cabin.

I liked this book overall, but if you are looking for something to utterly terrify you, you may not enjoy this as much. The last hundred pages or so was probably the scariest, and even that was a little tame compared to other works King' put out there.

Nevertheless, this story still works. In the foreward of the book, Stephen King says this is the scariest book he ever wrote. And it is, only for different reason. Many look at this as being a piece of horror fiction, and even though it certainly fits that mold in many respects, I don't know if it was King's intention to make it bone-chilling. This book works on an emotional level, focusing heavily on the subject of death. It really makes you think about that inevitable event, and you feel true sympathy for the characters when those who are close to them perish. Ellie's little speal about not wanting God to take her cat was brutal, almost to the point of being heartbreaking.

You also find yourself wondering what you would do in a similar situation. If a family member died prematurely, would you take any measure necesary to ressurect them, even if they come back wrong?

The biggest downside to the book was that it took so long to get to the really good stuff. For the first 2-3 hundred pages, the only thing that had been given new life was the family cat. That's not to say the early parts of the novel did not have merit; I thoroughly enjoyed the massive character developement that was employed through the early stages of the story.

In the end, you realize, as the book proclaims, "Sometimes Dead is Better."

I bought this book pre-order and it arrived very quickly. The author knows his stuff. I am an x-ray tech by trade, so nearly everything I read was understandable to me. He wrote the book so everytone could understand it- medical terms were explained, and there was an extensive glossary of terms. I got the book because my husband suffers badly from back pain and is an avid rider. I occasionally suffer from back pain- usually from doing too much sitting trot. The author was very complete in his assessment of the rider and even the type of horse they should be riding. Fortunately my husband and his horse are a great match, me and my horse aren't so good, but with some work I think we will be OK. The author also went through a series of stretches and also treatment options from traditional to alternative. I found it a very interesting book with a lot of information for anyone who is interested in riding. I even loaned it to my chiropractor who said he would probably get a copy because he treats riders as well.

Happy reading,
Kathy

Dr Warson is a neurosurgeon and rider - yippee! Someone, who's first reaction is not to blame all your back problems on riding. This book provides an interesting look at your back's anatomy, function and problems (or potential problems). Stretching and strengthening exercises and practical advice on riding as you age (or with back aches).

I purchased this book sight unseen and really did not expect it to be as substantive as it is. The author is extremely knowledgeable about both riding and rider's back problems. I wish that I had been able to read it years ago.

I recommend this book to every rider, not just those with back problems, since it provides a lot of information on the aging rider's back, and none of us can turn back the clock! Prevention is worth a ton of cure.

I bought this book before I adopted my first rabbit, just to make sure that I could handle whatever responsibilities come along with having a pet rabbit. The book gives you advice on which breed is best for you, what to expect as your bunny grows, what to feed, what not to feed, recommended toys, behavior interpretations, common rabbit diseases, symptoms and treatments. I still refer to it whenever I have any concerns. Nothing will substitute a vet visit when your bunny is sick, but you can at least have an idea when a vet visit is necessary. I also refer to this book as my bible. The information is concise and easy to understand, and also easy to find, as the book is very well organized. The only suggestion I would make is to inclue a picture of a Flemish Giant, because that is fast becoming a very popular pet breed. Other than that, the book is perfect.

I received this book a few days ago and have basically read it from cover to cover.
I feel the information in this book is for the most part accurate. One thing that I think should be added into all companion animal informative books (whether it be a book such as this, made for the average pet owner, or a book as a tutorial for beginning breeders) is more information on reasons to NOT breed your pet. The overpopulation of companion animals in this country is outstanding. By educating the uneducated regarding breeding this problem can be brought under control. I was happy to see that it was mentioned to not breed your pet, however I think a more in depth discussion of it should have been added.
I thought the feeding guidelines were a little off as well, but I have seen much worse.

4 stars to Karen Gendron and Michele Earle-Bridges for a great book!

This book was written by a veterinarian and is recommended by my veterinarian. It offers great guidelines for medical care and makes medical conditions easy to understand which helps me work better with my veterinarian. In addition, there is valuable information on behavior, training, diet and housing.

I thought this book was great. I read all about the rabbit diseases, so when this book said that a certain symptom was normal I ignored. Now my rabbit is dead, and I know to go to my vet. Good as a starter book, but only that.

I bought this book before I adopted my first rabbit, just to make sure that I could handle whatever responsibilities come along with having a pet rabbit. The book gives you advice on which breed is best for you, what to expect as your bunny grows, what to feed, what not to feed, recommended toys, behavior interpretations, common rabbit diseases, symptoms and treatments. I still refer to it whenever I have any concerns. Nothing will substitute a vet visit when your bunny is sick, but you can at least have an idea when a vet visit is necessary. I also refer to this book as my bible. The information is concise and easy to understand, and also easy to find, as the book is very well organized. The only suggestion I would make is to inclue a picture of a Flemish Giant, because that is fast becoming a very popular pet breed. Other than that, the book is perfect.

as a 5th generation rancher I see in Holchek a top scientist in range management who has the level of wisdom where it reaches the same conclusions of my ancestors who didn't know how to read but knew how to preserve their land. The old men learned to respect nature the hard way, Darwin took care of those who didn't. In a fragile environment good stewardship of the land is the best long term economic strategy. But it also reflects the best of modern science respect for God's complex creation based in profound knowledge.

perfect companion piece to the 'puppies for dummies' book, if Goldendoodles are your thing.

This book might be what you are looking for IF you are planning to get a Goldendoodle. The first 2 chapters are spent telling you stories about how Goldendoodles came to be and what great dogs they are. If you already know how great these dogs are, it's nice to read from someone that loves doodles so much, but it wasn't really informative. I was really hoping to get more specific insight for training tips, different stages in their lives, maybe more pictures of how they keep changing during their first year of life, how often to bathe, more practical tips. It has useful information on how to find a breeder and what to look for. As an owner of a Goldendoodle puppy, it was enjoyable to read but didn't get my questions answered :)

As the soon to be owner of a goldendoodle pup I was eagerly awaiting the arrival of this book. I couldn't find any other books on these marvelous dogs. I sat down to read a few pages and found myself reading it cover to cover. It is an easy read- packed full of useful information for someone considering a goldendoodle, as well as the new owner and some fun facts as well. I especially love the enthusiasm that comes through by the author. You can tell Kathryn loves these dogs and knows her stuff. The pictures are great too! Now I really can't wait to get my pup!

Interesting content on the development of this "non-breed" but not particulary helpful for what I was looking for. I would've liked to see the puppy coat types as they change develop into dogs...important for picking out a pup from a litter. The chapter titled "Breeding" shoud be changed to "genetics" or something, I was frightened it would be a "How-to" chapter...thankfully it was NOT.

Also, I think it has some of the most disappointing Goldendoodle photography out there! I have been surfing the web and have found much better looking pictures and more variations of Goldendoodles (coat types, colors, sizes, natural/clipped coats) than this book offers. So if you are looking for pictures, I would just do an image search...it turns up much more satifying results.

The "Puppy Aquisitions" assumes the only way to geta Goldendoodle is through a breeder. Some tips and info on finding one through a rescue or shelter wouldve been nice.

Overall it was an interesting study of the recent history of this mixed breed.

I loved all the photographs and informative tips about goldendoodles that were in this book. We got our new puppy from the author and she did a wonderful job raising our pup for us until we took her home.

This was one of two books suggested as texts for a Permaculture Design Course I am taking.
The essays are inspiring and educational.
I have loved reading this little big book, and will probably read many parts of it again.

This is a good book to have around when looking for ideas on how to increase our enjoyment and appreciation of nature. While the title says the book is for Sharing Nature with _Children_, the ideas are fun for adults too.

I like how the author provides a four-part framework for the activities described in the book, classifying them as awakening enthusiasm, focusing attention, directing experience, or sharing inspiration.

I also like the stories the author tells about his experiences in environmental education. I could feel his enthusiasm coming through in the stories. Plus, the quotations that open various sections of the book added to my enjoyment.

I found the directions for each activity to be adequate, with a nice range of activities to suit different people and interests. The original Sharing Nature with Children provides more of the same, and the revised edition of the original book incorporates the four-part framework.

I hope you enjoy the book and will use it to not only spend more time enjoying nature but also will be inspired by it to spend more time protecting nature so that future generations can share in this enjoyment.

Joseph Cornell is the author of Sharing Nature With Children (1883220734, $9.95) and Sharing Nature With Children II (1883220874, $9.95). This two volume set showcase nature studies and appreciation activities that any parent, teacher, or child care provider can readily engage in with children. Ann appreciation for the complex and interrelated life forms that comprise the exosphere of their environments is a solid basis to establish a life-long enthusiasm for nature and the out-of-doors, as well as a lasting commitment to environmental issues and concerns. Each volume is available independently, but school and community libraries are urged to acquire them both for the nature activities and environmental reference collections.

I bought this book because I am a big fan of Turid Rugaas and it is on her recommended reading list. I had purchased and watched a Twazer seminar video with Abrantes, in which he is obviously very knowledgeable but too showman for my taste. This book makes some really important and original points, that I didn't find in other great books on canine evolution(i.e. Coppinger's Dogs) about dominance theories. Abrantes suggests that some dogs are innately more dominant,(just born that way, without being anthromorphic) and others less, while still refuiting the outdated classical dominance theories. Abrantes scientifically explains why this innate difference is useful and necessary in dog/wolf evolution.I have studied this argument alot and a light bulb went off and did some serious reflecting. There are some other pearls. I highly recommend.

This little book is a must for everybody who are seriously interested in ethology and especially canine behavior. Most of the social behaviors are described with examples from the wild canids, but it indeed also gives us a better understanding of the instinctual behaviors our domestic dogs show. Even though it is of high scientific quality, it is not too difficult to read and can also be read and enjoyed by regular dog owners.