Book Description
They may be known as man's best friend, but as the writers in this poignant, funny, and dramatic collection know, there's no gender divide when it comes to canines. Whether walking down the street, gathering at the dog park, hitting the open road, or spending one too many nights together on the couch in front of the TV, a woman and her dog are an enduring pair. And there are many who consider their dogs to be members of their family and themselves to be full-fledged dog moms, even if they're single.
From the family dog who takes on the anxiety of a family as the writer's sister battles breast cancer, to the compelling tale of a woman searching for her furry friend in the aftermath of September 11th, to the blind and deaf dog who teaches everyone about keeping on truckin' no matter what predicaments she gets into, the essays in this anthology get at the heart of love — and yes, sometimes love-hate-relationships women have with the dogs in their lives.
Customer Reviews:
Canine critters.......2007-09-28
I thoroughly enjoyed this collection, and highly recommend the book to anyone who likes animals. It is especially interesting comparing personalities and the types of canine-critters we choose. Of course, it makes you wonder who chooses who. If you like dogs: James Herriot's Dog Stories: Warm And Wonderful Stories About The Animals Herriot Loves Best and Ghost in the Rainbow
A great Book!!.......2007-06-06
This is such a great book I read It in one day because I could not put it down!!! The stories are funny,sad,sweet and cover just about every emotion. I loved it and would highly recommend it if you love books about dogs !!!
Okay.......2007-06-05
The best part of this book was honestly the cover. The content inside was pretty good but not fabulous. There was one story, I admit, that almost brought me to tears, but other than that, it wasn't what I would call great literature. Others might like it more, maybe it's just me.
Excellent arrangement of short stories.......2007-03-18
Woman's Best Friend was a great collection of short stories about dogs. I loved the realistic nature of the book as not all the stories were about how great, smart or funny each woman's dog was. In fact there are a couple sad stories that remind you that dogs are ultimately animals with instincts and breed characteristics and some times they aren't a woman's best friend. I loved the thumbnail photos of the dogs within the short stories so you could really envision them in their setting. The story "First Born" by Lisa Vollmer was one that resonated with me in particular and would with any woman who considers her dog to be part of her family. Highly recommended for anyone - male or female - who has had a dog make an impact on their life.
gret dog book!.......2007-01-05
I thought the stories of dogs and thier owners was a wonderful idea. Loved the book.
P.S. I was in one of the stories.....a little bias
Amazon.com
It's rare for a book's title to say so clearly what the book is about. In the case of Rupert Sheldrake's latest work, the controversial content is right on the front cover. Pet owners will see it and smile in recognition; skeptical scientists will shake their heads and mutter about "maverick scholars." We all know of cases of dogs (and cats) who know when their owners are coming home, who go to wait at the door or window 10 minutes or more before their human arrives. Conditioned by the tight rigor of contemporary scientific thinking, we either look for rational explanations or we file the phenomenon away in our minds as "unexplained" and are careful not to talk about it with our scientist friends.
Sheldrake has shown in the past that he is not afraid to be labeled a rebel, thanks to his theory of morphic resonance, which suggests the following:
Natural systems, or morphic units, at all levels of complexity are animated, organized, and coordinated by morphic fields, which contain an inherent memory. Natural systems inherit this collective memory from all previous things of their kind by a process called morphic resonance, with the result that patterns of development and behavior become increasingly habitual through repetition.
Sheldrake believes that the "telepathy" between pets and humans, or between flocks of birds or schools of fish that move as a single organism, can be explained this theory. Sheldrake is less persuaded by anecdotes that suggest animal clairvoyance--warning of something in the near future--but refuses to disallow the possibility.
He accepts that the case histories he details so thoroughly in this book are anecdotal, but that makes them no less real; and as a scientist himself he sets up experimental conditions for studying this previously ignored phenomenon that show beyond any doubt that the phenomenon exists. He castigates traditional scientists for their refusal to countenance anything that doesn't fit in with their existing paradigms (or prejudices) and challenges them to come up with some more "acceptable" explanation--but none is forthcoming.
This fascinating book is a first attempt at a scientific investigation into a puzzling but quite common occurrence. One hopes that other scientists will follow Sheldrake's brave lead. --David V. Barrett
Book Description
How do cats know when it's time to go to the vet, even before the cat carrier comes out? How do dogs know when their owners are returning home at unexpected times? How can horses find their way back to the stable over completely unfamiliar terrain?
With a scientist's mind and an animal lover's compassion, world-renowned biologist Rupert Sheldrake presents a groundbreaking exploration of animal behavior that will profoundly change the way we think about animals -- and ourselves. After five years of extensive research involving thousands of people who have pets and work with animals, Dr. Sheldrake proves conclusively what many pet owners already know: there is a strong connection between humans and animals that defies present-day scientific understanding. This remarkable book deserves a place next to the most beloved and valuable books on animals, including
When Elephants Weep,
Dogs Never Lie About Love, and
The Hidden Life of Dogs.
Customer Reviews:
questions which are rarely asked - and an attempt to answer.......2007-07-06
In "Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home" Rupert Sheldrake continues his quest for acknowledgement of phenomena neglected, forgotten or brushed aside by modern science. This time he focuses on the unexplained powers of animals.
Starting with the observations of pets, through behavior of wild animals, to humans, Sheldrake examines the connections and bonds between living creatures, which lead them to feel each other's emotional and physical state.
Probably all pet owners and people fond of animals have observed that some animals demonstrate behaviors that cannot be explained by genes or instinct (or, that would be too much simplified by such explanation). Wondering, how the pets know, when their owners are coming home, when some accident or death occurred, how to find a way home from an unfamiliar place even far away, when the owner intends to give them food or go for a walk, or how to recognize an attack of an illness such as diabetic coma or epileptic seizure, or even the natural disasters, like storm or earthquake, probably happened to all pet owners some time or another - and most of the time these thoughts were probably bagatelized and quickly forgotten in the face of more important everyday events.
The book is very well ordered and organized, very much like a scientific publication. After a short, introductory chapter, summarizing the history of animal domestication, Rupert Sheldrake presents the data gathered during his systematic studies, mostly through surveys in different parts of United States and Europe. The data consists of examples of pets, which exhibited behaviors described above, collected and analyzed in impressive amounts (even with statistics). Not only does he report accounts from the owners of dogs and cats, but also gives examples of horses, rabbits, birds and fish, and negative examples of pet reptiles and insects. He proceeds from these examples to the flocking and migratory behaviors of the wild animals (the linking behavior is the return home) and compares the findings to the human abilities, which, in the contemporary, civilized world, seem ridiculously meager.
The main body of the book consists of these examples and this is its strength (as a scientific argument) and weakness (as a popular book, because the lengthy lists of examples can be boring). The conclusions, however, are not very strong. Sheldrake applies here his famous hypothesis of morphic fields, which, in analogy to magnetic and electrical fields, are created by forces - yet undescribed -which are, in turn, created by social influence between individuals. The existence of morphic fields is an interesting hypothesis, but only a hypothesis. Luckily, Sheldrake admits it himself and does not push his hypothesis as a theory or as a universal truth, like some gurus of fashionable, popular "science" books. I have to give him great credit for being a scientist even though what he does is beyond the scope of contemporary science. The same goes for his explanations of animal behaviors by their ability to precognize certain events or by telepathy. Telepathy, or mind-to-mind-communication, seems especially plausible as an explanation of pets knowing their owners intentions before the owner can communicate them in any other way (body language, any sensory signal). Although telepathy is obviously his favorite explanation of communication between pets and owners, between animals in the group, and, almost lost, between humans, Sheldrake does not give it as the only explanation. He always tries to show other ones and, giving arguments for and against each one (sometimes, admittedly, not very strong) dismisses them or not. His approach reminds me very strongly of the approach of psychologists, which very often are vague as well. That is perhaps why I liked the chapters on the migratory birds most, maybe, because, as a biologist, I see most of the ecological and "harder science" in it?
At the end of the book, the methods for investigation of pet behavior are presented, so that the interested readers can try their own experiments, which are very simple and do not require much skill - only perseverance.
I like Sheldrake for pursuing his goal of presenting to the non-scientific crowd of readers the alternative or once studies, but today neglected, scientific questions, without cheap trick or want for fame. He is doing his job and I admire his work, even though I have my doubts about it. I don't think this book was supposed to convince anybody of anything (as some previous reviews suggest), it rather intends to puzzle and ask questions, making the reader realize they cannot be unequivocally answered with the current state of knowledge. This book is not his best (some are really great), mainly because of endless lists of examples, but it is good and solid.
Convincing Research.......2007-03-02
Starts with many natural case histories for psychic pets, then describes his brilliantly simple experiment. I interviewed Dr. Sheldrake on my Skeptiko Podcast. He's extremely well-spoken and likeable.
Amazing, Enlightening, Thought-Provoking.......2006-03-14
Some dogs seem to know when their owners are coming home. No, not when they are walking up the front steps, but when they are still at the office DECIDING to come home. Some animals know when their owners are in distress or dying, far away. Some animals know when their owners are about to have a seizure, or attempt suicide.
Author Rupert Sheldrake has compiled a database of hundreds of fascinating anecdotal reports, supplemented by simple but clever research studies. He challenges us to consider these unusual but intriguing phenomena, that do not depend on physical distance or any known sensory pathways. He has a healthy respect for scientific method (and uses it when he can) but none at all for scientific dogmatism. To skeptics who discount these remarkable observations as mere "selective recall," he says, do the research and prove it.
This is a fascinating and well-written book. It was hard to put down, and in fact, I may read it again. To be sure, Sheldrake can't explain the phenomena he describes. He invokes the concept of morphic fields but can't really tell us what they are. Further research is needed, and, to his credit, Sheldrake is attempting to recruit people all over the world, to participate in just such research. Why, even you could participate. I recommend this book highly. Run out and buy it today. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber.
One of the best books I've read lately.......2005-12-09
This book was well-written, engaging, and thought provoking. The research was very well done, and I am usually quite skeptical. But this opened up a whole line of thought of how our minds may work, for me. I definately recommend it.
Telepathy as a Common Biological Function.......2005-08-12
One Amazon reviewer of DOGS THAT KNOW WHEN THEIR OWNERS ARE COMING HOME wrote "Budiansky's THE TRUTH ABOUT DOGS states that other researchers were unable to replicate Sheldrake's amazing results. I like pets just as much as anyone else, though I don't feel the need to glorify them with powers that their small brains are incapable of possessing."
First of all, Stephen Budiansky--whom I admire--thinks dogs are social parasites (though that's not why I admire him; I like his unique approach to the subject matter). And the truth is, at least one other researcher, who was furiously attempting to discredit Sheldrake's theory (hardly an objective approach), actually ended up replicating his results exactly.
And having a small brain has absolutely nothing to do with what Sheldrake posits to be a common biological function of all social animals. He theorizes that it's a fairly ordinary form of communication that pre-dates human language and which doesn't require any kind of highly developed cognitive architecture.
Granted, Sheldrake focused on the dogs who'd been reported to already show this behavior, but the thrust of the research detailed in this book was not to provide definitive proof that dogs are "telepathic", but to start people thinking in that direction. And some of the data is quite remarkable.
By the way, my dog could care less when I'm coming home. He's always asleep when I get there (though he's always happy to see me). But I've had other experiences that show Sheldrake is on the mark. For instance, I found that if I'm walking my dog and thinking about going into a store up the block and picturing the possible behavior in my mind, he'll give up his usual path and pull me toward that store, even if I've changed my mind in the meantime.
I've also found that when teaching the down/stay at a distance, followed by the recall, if I imagine the dog coming toward me before I give him the release and the recall signal, he'll almost inevitably break the stay and come running.
I'm not a complete moron, so when I first noticed this happening I figured that I must have been doing something with my body language to cause this behavior. So I very carefully monitored and controlled my posture, my facial expressions (even though I was fifty yards away), etc. Nope. It wasn't my body language.
Huh, I thought, could it be these mental pictures I'm creating in my mind? So I trained myself not to create those mental images and whenever I kept my mind blank the dogs inevitably stopped breaking the stay until the release signal was given.
These experiences are far from being scientific proof but they do make you think.
I also recommend THE PRESENCE OF THE PAST for Sheldrake's theories on morphic fields.
Book Description
TAILS OF DEVOTION A Look At The Bond Between People And Their Pets is a coffee table book of letters and photographs of 58 San Franciscan families and their beloved pets -- a visual and profound testimony to the very special relationship between pets and their families. The book presents an interesting dialogue between owner and pet, and vice-versa, through a series of letters that answer the question: "If you and your animals could communicate via paper, what would you say to each other?"
Amy Tan writes a very personal foreword detailing her relationship with her animals as well as an ode to our pets. Luminaries such as Robin Williams, Isabel Allende, Peter Coyote, Ronnie Lott, Mickey Hart, Michael Chabon, Ayelet Waldman, Orlando Cepeda, Michael Tilson Thomas and Stephan Jenkins open the doors to their home life because of their love of animals and desire to help others who care about the animals.
The humans may vary, the non-humans may vary, the handwritten notes may vary but the message is clear - we love our animals, they are members of our family.
And, outside of the family unit, we have found that these animals are uniters of people not dividers. Anyone who has ever had a family pet will find kindred spirits in the letters and photos.
100% of the gross proceeds from TAILS will go to The San Francisco SPCA, the Friends of San Francisco Animal Care and Control, PAWS (Pets are Wonderful Support), Pets Unlimited and Rocket Dog Rescue. Each of these non-profit organizations is profiled in the book with their mission and work.
Customer Reviews:
Tails of Devotion: A Look at the Bond Between People and Their Pets .......2007-09-24
It's a fun book to have - a coffeetable book. I purchased it as a holiday present. I may end of keeping it and purchase another for the holidays!
Thanks for Such a Great and Generous Show of Love for Animals.......2007-04-03
I just ordered this book after seeing Emily Scott Pottruck being interviewed on a local TV news program. I also ordered copies for two friends who I share a special bond with as we volunteered at the Michigan Humane Society together. I understand that some people think too much attention is given to animals when there is so much human suffering in the world. To them I would say that our pets give us unconditional love, which is a very rare gift. My 26 year old son died suddenly in June of '06 and I know I could not have made it this far without the companionship of my beloved beagle, Piccolo. She always senses my moods and is ready to give me extra cuddles whenever I need them. I think I am a kinder, stronger, and better person because of her.
Essential Reading For Any Pet Owner.......2007-01-30
Tails of Devotion is more than just a coffee table book. This book does what few books on animals manage to do, which is to attempt to raise the level of human consciousness about the necessity for relationships with companion animals and the sacredness of those bonds. At a time when companion animals are still largely regarded as "property" by many, this book will add to the growing understanding of the need to treat companion animals as valued members of our extended human family.
Karen Leslie, Executive Director, The Pet Fund
A Wonderful Gift Item.......2007-01-19
I gave this book as a gift to a friend who is a true animal lover. She absolutely fell in love with the book. Some beautiful stories of people and their love for their animals. Highly recommended!
Our 'Book of the Year' Choice!.......2006-12-21
Emily Scott Pottruck brings the unique relationship that exists between pets and their people to glorious life in this beautifully written and illustrated book. 'Tails of Devotion' proves that the love which is shared between people and their pets crosses all social boundaries, and unites us all in a way that few other loves could ever accomplish.
The life-affirming story of Elizabeth, a homeless woman living in the Bay Area along with her faithful companion, Hero, alone is worth the price of this lovely book!
In addition, Emily Scott Pottruck is generously donating 100% of the proceeds from 'Tails of Devotion' to non-profit animal welfare groups! So, along with receiving this beautiful book (which you will treasure for years to come!), you will also have the wonderful feeling that comes with knowing that your purchase has enabled animal welfare organizations to continue their work to help less fortunate animals.
'Tails of Devotion' will make a wonderful gift for anyone who has ever known the joy of loving ... and being loved by ... a beloved animal companion.
Book Description
DO YOU KNOW WHICH OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS ARE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE FOR USE IN DOGS? WHICH ARE USELESS OR EVEN DANGEROUS?For the concerned dog owner, today's array of veterinary home-care options can be bewildering. THE DOG'S DRUGSTORE breaks through this confusion. Included here are:* Comprehensive listings of conditions, their symptoms, and their treatments * Recommended medicine dosages for all sizes and breeds of dogs * How to tell if your dog is in pain-and which pain medications work best * Tricks and tips to get your dog to take his medicine * How to treat minor wounds, sprains, and other injuries * When your dog really needs to see the vet * The best nonprescription treatments for fleas, ticks, and worms * How to avoid accidental poisoning * Important information on herbal remedies for dogs * Keeping your dog's medical history * Organizations of interest Featuring clear illustrations to help you identify common conditions and step-by-step instructions on each step of home treatment, this encyclopedic volume will fill a void in every dog owner's bookshelf. With THE DOG'S DRUGSTORE, learn when and how to treat your pooch's sniffles and sprains-and save your pet a trip to the vet. AUTHORBIO: RICHARD W. REDDING, D.V.M., M.Sc., Ph.D., is a Professor Emeritus of Physiology and Small Animal Surgery and Medicine at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University in Alabama. He has also taught veterinary medicine at the University of California, Davis, and the University of Georgia, Athens, and was a Professor of Physiology and Pharmacology at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. He is a noted researcher and author. He lives in Auburn, Alabama.MYRNA L. PAPURT, D.V.M., B.Sc., has practiced veterinary medicine for more than thirty years and is the author of three previous books on caring for dogs and cats. In her leisure time, she has trained and competed with several breeds of dogs in American Kennel Club shows and licensed field trials. She lives on a farm in Huntsburg, Ohio, with her many animals.
Customer Reviews:
God information.......2007-03-09
This should be on every pet owners bookshelf. It's a fairly cheap looking paperback but the information is useful.
Rx for Dogs.......2000-06-24
Finally, a useful book for the layman.I was very disappointed in the layout (editing) of the book. The reader must fumble through the book to find tables for medications to treat various conditions. The medical advice is sound and very useful. Revamp the book with an index that is usable.
Book Description
Every year, millions of dogs are abandoned—at animal shelters, racetracks, or on the side of the road. Many of these animals end their days without ever knowing a caring human hand, but some are fortunate enough to be found and given a second chance. And these dogs, often rescued from death’s door, seem to have even more than the usual canine capacity for love and loyalty.
Found Dogs is full of wonderful photos and words by people who have adopted dogs in myriad ways. Celebrities from Peter Mayle, Jamie Lee Curtis, Al Gore, and Bobby Short to everyday heroes who have found dogs--from purebreds to scruffy mix-breeds--that have become service dogs, protectors, and friends, offering solace, aid, companionship, and inspiration.
Found Dogs is a moving tribute to the power of love between people and dogs--how that love has transformed dogs who were lost, and the people who were lucky enough to find them.
Customer Reviews:
really heartwarming.......2007-08-26
I loved this book so much.I recently adopted a dog after many years of only pedigree versions. I will always save a life and adopt from now on! My other 3 dogs with papers aren't so sure of this decision!
Found Dogs.......2007-07-10
As a dog lover and a current owner of 4 dogs (2 of whom were rescues) I applaud each and every pet owner in this book and I thank Elise Lufkin for putting these stories together so that they may be enjoyed by the people who rescue any animal or is thinking about rescuing. The joy and love these pets bring into a home is unbelievable.
Second Chances.......2007-05-07
As the mama of an adopted stray dog from the ASPCA I am very interested in saved cats and dogs,(I have also taken in a stray cat). To me rescued animals are the best pets. The books that I have read are all happy books, there may be a lot of saddness in them, but for the most part they have a happy ending.
Amazon is full of books on cats and dogs, the selection can't be beat!
Found Dogs hits the mark.......2007-01-25
Whereas many tales of homeless pets end with less than stellar results, this book and its companion book, Second Chances: More tales of Found Dogs, concentrates on the happy endings of many pets who found loving homes. The book is beautifully done with pictures illustrating the joy of having adopted a loving pet.
Excellent.......2007-01-12
What a heartwarming book! Beautiful pictures and wonderful stories!! This book would be great for anyone and everyone.
Average customer rating:
- Mostly excellent, but some curious choices
- If the scale were 1-10, this book would be a 20!
|
Cats and Their Women
Louise Taylor , and
Barbara Cohen
Manufacturer: Little, Brown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Photography
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Cats
| Animal Care & Pets
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Animal Care & Pets
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Veterinary Medicine
| Medicine
| Subjects
| Books
Animal Husbandry
| Agricultural Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Dogs and Their Women
-
Woman's Best Friend: A Celebration of Dogs and Their Women
ASIN: 0316150460 |
Customer Reviews:
Mostly excellent, but some curious choices.......2006-05-08
I received this book as a gift and really enjoyed most of the stories and accompanying photographs, especially those involving rescued cats. However, there are two anecdotes/photos that will make cat lovers cringe, especially rescuers. One is a picture of a child with a bag over her head grasping a Siamese cat under her front legs with her lower body completely unsupported and dangling. The cat also has a bag over her head! The other is a saccharine sweet Hallmark-card-worthy photo of a curly haired little girl sitting under a Christimas tree with a fluffy kitten in her lap. The authors were evidently so taken with the photo that they failed to notice that the accompanying text is pretty grim: The kitten pictured was never spayed and had several litters. Eventually, the neglected "pet" is found dead (and pregnant) in the road by the family. But that's OK because cats are easily replaced: The story concludes, "And now we have a cat named Frisky." How sad! The authors originally wrote about women and dogs and I honestly cannot imagine them including a comparable story about a dog, but people do not value cats in the same way. Overall, an enjoyable book, but I was disappointed by the inclusion of the two stories cited above. Surely there were better submissions that could have been used.
If the scale were 1-10, this book would be a 20!.......2001-12-17
If you love cats, this is an absolute MUST read. It is a heartwarming book. Each two-page spread features a black and white photograph of cat along with the woman they've adopted, and a short text on some aspect of their relationship. In a matter of a few pages it will take you from laughter to tears and back again. There is also a book "Dogs and their women" which is equally excellent. I actually keep and extra copy of these two on hand as quick presents for animal lovers. They are that good.
Book Description
Part diva, part purring furball, cats always keep you wondering. Are they happy to see you? Mad at the world? Cats are subtle little comics, rubbing against your legs when you'd forgotten they were in the room, purring in your ear in the middle of the night. What is it about these sly, droll, and unpredictable creatures that captivates us? And what's the deal with the whole crazy cat lady stereotype, anyway?
From a tale about how rescuing a stray cat ended up saving a friendship to an unapologetic piece by a confirmed — and proud! — crazy cat lady, the essays in Cat Women range from thought-provoking and heartrending to laugh-out-loud funny, all delving into the many ways these often aloof little divas touch our lives.
Customer Reviews:
Gives insight into a unique bond.......2007-09-04
I can not say enough about this book without almost gushing. I found this book "staring" at me one day only days after my Mistie had passed away. Reading other people's stories about their cats unique habits and unique personalities and the bond that was there for him made me feel comforted somehow during this grief period that I am experiencing.
I loved all the essays to one degree or another but two top favorites were about a little man named Murphy aka Murph dawg and how he wedged himself a place in the heart of his owner's significant other and then the editor's. Megan McMorris, own essay on trying to get her Lucy and her boyfriend to find some common ground.
If you want to read how cats can affect your life...this book is the perfect place to start.
Mysterious Cats and Women.......2007-08-22
To me, cats have always been as mysterious as women--they're elusive one moment, playful the next, and you never know what's going on behind those eyes--so I read this book in the hope that the pairing of the two species together would offer some insight, that like with mathematical signs, the shroud of mystery would be cancelled out when multiplied. I wasn't disappointed.
There's a lot of variety in the essays, some humorous, some sad, but all very genuine. My favorites are "Strutting the Catwalk: Seven Habits of One Sexy Beast" by Jennifer Jalalat, which compares the innate sexiness in cats with female sexuality, and "Saved by the Cat" by Melinda J. Combs, which tells a tale of how saving a cat saved a friendship.
I haven't read all the essays yet, but the ones I have are great, and while they haven't taken the mystery out of women or cats--nothing ever will (and I think I like it that way anyway)--there are a lot of insightful and touching moments.
Not at all what I expected.......2007-08-16
In fairness, I want to say that many of the essays in this book are five-star essays by excellent writers, and they actually seem to fit in the collection.
Before getting this book, I read the title, the subtitle "female writers on their feline friends"), and the back cover. I was prepared to have my heart warmed and broken by fellow cat lovers who could poignantly express this love. I was not prepared to find in this book essays by people who might be decent writers but who dislike or are indifferent to cats. I'm struggling to understand this editorial decision, considering the subtitle and what I assume is the intended audience (am I taking too big a leap to think it would be cat lovers?)--not to even mention the puzzling inclusion of an essay about a stuffed animal cat. Perhaps this could have been split into two volumes--one with the current title and the other with something like "Cats. Ugh." I don't know where the stuffed animal story should go, though. :-)
There was the writer (who in the acknowledgements section the author names as one she "personally begged" to contribute!) whose neglect resulted in her cat losing her ears to frostbite (an incident about which she said this not-exactly-a-cat-woman quote: "A few beers with the right crowd and, okay, Tink's special-needs ears are good for some laughs"), the one who "sorta" wanted her cat to die, the ones that gave away their cats for reasons of convenience, the indifferent-to-cats person who wrote about a friend who took in someone's cat and wanted to give it away (a very mysterious inclusion, as the essay seemed to have nothing to do with the cat in question), the woman who dislikes cats but did trap-neuter-replace (which was a humane choice, but again, why is this essay in this book?!), and a continued parade of indifferent "not a cat person" writers who were not converted at any point--and who I'm sure are wonderful people nonetheless, but isn't that category of humankind the opposite of cat women, the title of the book?
This feels like bait and switch to me, and I regret spending time and money on the book. Still, I write this with apologies for the low rating; many of the authors wrote beautiful essays that fit the book's title.
Product Description
Sit! Roll over! This handy kit takes the mystery out of teaching Fido how to be a first-rate performer. An easy-to-follow manual guides owners through fifteen spectacular tricks. The kit also includes a flying disc, professional training clicker, a bell used for special tricks, and even a bone-shaped biscuit cutter for making delicious doggy treats (Recipes included!). Book is 8 3/8 x 8 x 1 1/8 inches and 64 pages. Ages 4 and up.
Product Description
Making the Most of a Good Thing Sharing Your Home and Life with a pet bird from the parrot family can be a joy that must be experienced to be appreciated. Whether your parrot pal is a lordly macaw, a tiny budgie or any of the beautiful Amazons, African greys, cockatoos or other beloved species in between, life can be beautiful when communication works. And that is what The Pleasure of Their Company: An Owner's Guide to Parrot Training can do for the relationship. The text discusses the reasons for training a parrot, how an owner's behavior influences training results, working with baby birds and weanlings, three basic obedience skills and training techniques for adult parrots. You will find chapters on potty training to help your parrot clean up its act; speech training that makes your parrot more fun to be with and some intriguing examples of parrots really knowing what they're saying; trick training that allows a parrot to use its nimble mind and dexterous body together and some valuable insights on fun and games with your parrot to enjoy your relationship fully. With delightful illustrations by parrot lover Richard Cole and a wealth of practical guidance, The Pleasure of Their Company is the gift you give yourself and your parrot to make life better for you both.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent book!.......2006-01-02
Everyone with a parrot really needs to know how to communicate and train their companion bird. It will benefit everyone concerned. This book is excellent and easy to follow. My amazon loves to put his rings on spindle, wave hello while saying hello on cue, puts quarters in piggy bank, high five, and more. I learned how to teach him these tricks through practicing the guidelines in this book.
One of THE Best On Parrot Training!.......2001-05-14
This book, the third by Bonnie Doane, is a must for the new parrot owner or for those who have had a parrot for many years. I found this book to be an excellent guide when I first got my new parrot. I made sure I researched every book I could when I first acquired my two-week old baby parrot, and this book was one of my favorites. I found it very helpful in the training & learning process of handling my parrot as it matured and got older. There are chapters on obedience skills and training techniques for adult parrots, as well as how to work with baby birds, speech training, and trick training. There are 12 chapters filled with helpful advice that you should definitely be aware of.
I highly recommend this book. You should check out her other two books, "My Parrot, My Friend" and "The Parrot in Health and Illness." These are excellent books for your bird-related library in my opinion.
A first rate guide.......2001-04-05
This is an excellent book on the behaviour and training not only of parrots, but also macaws, cockatoos, budgerigars and other members of the parrot family. I have a 3 year old Hyacynth Macaw called Gervaise who has benefited enormously from my purchase. He never ceases to amaze me with his intelligence and agility. He is building up an impressive vocabulary and can do tricks like ringing a bell and eating seeds from my bumcrack. The fun's not all Gervaise's - as the title suggests, their company really does provide the owner with a great deal of pleasure, and this book can really enhance that pleasure.
A good start!.......2001-03-09
This book is very well written and can easily be used as a reference guide as well. This book lacks only in one aspect (colour photos) of actual birds since I love to look at pictures almost as much as reading the information. I would recomend this book to anyone thinking of getting a bird or someone who already has one and is acting up a bit. I haven't adopted a bird as of yet but it's only days away. (I can't wait to get the Umbrella Cockatoo home). A really great site (except it is a little negative but very informative to future Parrot owners is http://members.citynet.net/skydiver/parrots/parrots.htm. Check it out . I looked online for two months to make sure that I was picking the right bird for our family and everything you need to know is right there or there's links to it.
Es exactamente como ella dice.......2001-01-30
Este es un maravilloso libro que describe el comportamiento de los loros de manera EXACTA.
He aplicado sus enseñanzas con mis dos loros. Uno de ellos, un amazona aestiva, esta conmigo desde muy joven. Es alegre, amistoso y muy compañero. EL otro lo recogi con un ala rota, ya adulto, muy salvaje y muy tímido y desconfiado.
Sin embargo ambos han aprendido, a traves de las tecnicas que Bonnie enseña en su libro. Y, tal como ella dice, ellos y yo llevamos una relacion mucho mas facil y mas intensa.
El libro ha sido una revelación para mi, ya que a lo largo de su lectura, que he disfrutado mucho, he podido entender el comportamiento de estos maravillosos animales
Customer Reviews:
A little book, but a powerful book.......2003-10-19
I was going through some tough times when I found this book...facing the inevitable loss of my dog through cancer. I sat down on a stool in the bookstore and read it - cover to cover - with tears streaming down my face. Then I bought the book and took it home with me. In the following months (and years), I can't imagine the number of times I've read this book...or just sat and looked at the photos.
My dog died a few months after I found the book, but it was an unbelievable comfort to have it sitting on my table...to pick up and read when the mood struck...knowing there were other women out there that loved their dogs as much as I did mine.
That was years ago. It isn't a big book, but the photos and words speak volumes and volumes to those of us that love our animals, whether we are facing their loss, have already lost them, or are living happily with them, day-to-day.
Louise Barbara and Taylor Cohen? If you are listening, I want to thank you for publishing this book! I can honestly say your little book is one of my most cherished possessions.
As a dog Mom, I had to have this book!.......2002-01-06
A dear friend had let me borrow her copy. After reading it, I had to get a copy. This book will warm your heart and the images are just wonderful. It's great to know others feel the same way as I when it comes to their dogs. Dogs share such a wonderful unconditional love and these stories are just one example. Get it for the dog lover in your life.
Dogs and Their Women.......2001-06-29
A wonderful book! I bought this book when seeking solace following the death of my first dog companion. It gave me comfort and hope to see that there were many more special dogs out there, (and I have since adopeted another one!).
A celebration of a universal relationship........2000-02-14
This is a book that could be read all over the world, and be loved. (In fact, an international version would be a nice idea.) Any of us who have had or known a special dog find ourselves in this book. My dog Dilly writes her own page every day. You must read about these common and uncommon women and their extraordinary dogs!
the pictures say a thousand words.......1998-10-15
a book sure to be treasured and read many times over for all women whose faithful companions have added a depth of love like no other could ever be capable of...surely our creator had a mission to fulfill when our wonderful companions came to us. he knew women needed them more than they would ever need us but in unison a bond like no other could ever be duplicated by any human being..a keepsake and a gift that will be treasured forever.
Books:
- Zen Shorts (Caldecott Honor Book)
- 100 More of the World's Best Houses (100 World's Best Houses, Vol. 3) (Architecture)
- 101 Jumping Exercises for Horse & Rider
- 101 Schooling Exercises: For Horse & rider
- A New Owner's Guide to Miniature Schnauzers (New Owner's Guide To...)
- A Treasury of Magical Knitting
- All About Me
- Arabians
- Barnyard in Your Backyard: A Beginner's Guide to Raising Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Rabbits, Goats, Sheep, and Cows
- Behind the Wheel Spanish/Complete Illustrated Text/Answer Keys/8 One Hour
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- How to Value, Buy, or Sell a Financial Advisory Practice: A Manual on Mergers, Acquisitions, and Tra
- Words Fail Me: What Everyone Who Writes Should Know about Writing
- Salon Fundaments: A Resource for Your Cosmetology Career
- The Circle Of Life: The Heart's Journey Through The Seasons
- The Swiss Secret to Optimal Health: Dr. Rau's Diet for Whole Body Healing
- Windows Vista Secrets
- The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere, 2 Vol. Set
- Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner & Rob Sitch, Molvania: A Land Untouched by Modern Dentistry
- Research Methods and Methodology in Finance and Accounting
- Henry James : Complete Stories 1884-1891
The Dogs Who Found Me: What I've Learned from Pets Who Were Left Behind
Just Gus: A Rescued Dog and the Woman He Loved
Four Paws from Heaven: Devotions for Dog Lovers
Mostly Bob
What the Dog Did: Tales from a Formerly Reluctant Dog Owner
