Pets Books

Dressage in Harmony: From Basic to Grand Prix (The Masters of Horsemanship Series, Bk. 4)
Excellent Book. A must have for all Dressage riders. This book has helped me improve my understanding of the proper aids!

Provides great detail, wonderful theory and terrific practical advice. There are some spots where the translation may not have been so good; but, overall this book is fabulous!

I've been fortunate enough to attend private lessons given by this great teacher and can only say that this is the way I want to learn. He is gentle and encouraging, but firm -- and not a little demanding, requiring us to do our best, and to bring out the best in our horses -- but it is his love of horses that shines through. It matters not whether you are a beginner on a green horse or an advanced rider on a budding champion, he is the teacher you want. I saw stiff green horses relax and blow happily, and nervous riders smiling as they felt the changes in their horses and themselves. The German training system can seem daunting to us Americans used to hurrying along and getting results fast, but he makes us understand how to build trust, and build movement from that. It will take time, but with Zettl, you will succeed, and more importantly perhaps, you will enjoy the ride, and so will your horse.

With all of the great reviews and the author's reputation, I was expecting a lot more. I just don't see anything new here, to me it reads like a dictionary on dressage. Fine, but not too interesting. I guess what really put me off straight away, was the the author's claim that horses are not very intelligent, and if they were we would be afraid to be near them at all. And "A horse will never do anything on purpose". I think that anyone who has spent a lot of time around horses would disagree with that statement. For example, if you have ever seen a horse work open a stall latch, I think you might agree that they are capable of doing things on purpose and with planning. From someone who supposedly stresses love for the horse during training, I found these statements quite inaccurate and somewhat cold. I've got loads of books on dressage, and this one would be at the bottom of my list.

I believe that Dressage In Harmony is a must have for anyone who is seriously interested in dressage. Mr. Zettl starts with a green horse beginning in dressage to the Grand Prix level in clear, understandable language plus good illustrations. I hope to have the good fortune to attend one of Walter Zettl's clinics now that I have "discovered" him.

This book is a "must have" in every dressage enthusiasts library. Another outstanding book by Ms. Loch.

I selected this book based on the reviews that have been posted. I was not disappointed in the least.

Finally a book on classical dressage that really tells you HOW to do it. Sylvia Loch is fantastic. I recommend this book to those who sometime feel like the real detail of how to apply the aids is missing from other dressage texts.

I cannot adequately describe the beauty and accuracy with which she writes. Clarifying the aids, and the horse's biomechanics and perceptions with a truly classical constructive approach.

A truly helpful, different perspective with easy to understand content for all riders.

I've had this book for over a year and I didn't pick it out to read until recently. I had been focused on books directed at training young horses and I thought this book would be better suited for a future stage when my mare had at least mastered the basics under saddle. Boy, do I wish I had started this book sooner!
I found this book to be the perfect companion book to others I have on starting young horses. Primarily because it makes you think about what you, as a rider, are doing. It is all too easy to focus on the young horse, instead of yourself. But if you have picked up bad habits along the way, you'll be hindering your progress and frustrating your horse.
What I like most about this book, is that it gives you the horses perspective, how he feels about each movement and how you deliver the aids. It encourages you to breakdown each movement and think about what you are doing as a rider - are you asking correctly and using the aids effectively.
The first few chapters (literally the first half of the book) are excellent for training a young horse, or re-schooling an older one. The subsequent chapters build up through the levels, from Training Level to Grand Prix. I know this book will be well used.

I have purchased many shell books over the years. After finding this book at the public library, I had to have a copy for myself. It is by far the most informative book on Florida and Gulf Coast shells I have run across. If you just like shells, love finding your own, or are just curious about the sea creatures of the region, this is the book for you!

I was completely surprised when this book arrived at the size of it. For the price, I expected a small book, but it's quite large and full of beautiful pictures. My kids are crazy about the beach and we have amassed a large collection of shells over the years, so it was a lot of fun identifying the ones that we already had. We also took it on our last trip to the beach, which made shell collecting a lot of fun! This is also a very beautiful book even if you aren't going to the beach. If you are a beach goer or a beach lover (or both) you should pick this book up!

This great book is packed with trivia, great photos, humor and education. The kids in our family love looking at the pictures and I love the color photos identifying not only many of Florida's seashells but also other mysterious matter that you may happen to find on the beach. I've read it over and over and still find something new each time I read it. There's a section on cleaning shells, how shells reproduce (this is mind-blowing!). What is so interesting is many shells are shown with their inhabitants inside so you now know exactly what kind of animal made that beautiful shell you now have in your hand. The book covers areas in Florida such as the famous Sanibel, as well as other beaches on the West Coast, the Keys and South Florida. You'll discover which shell is worth thousands of dollars, which lump of stuff found on the beach is more valuable than gold and so much more. I've ordered extra books for my nieces and nephews because it is so rich in knowledge.

This book has beautiful full color photos of seashells which can be
found in the state of Florida. The descriptions of the shells are
excellent and if you are a collector, you will gain a lot of knowledge
from reading this book. Whether you are a native of Florida or a snowbird,
you will start to recognize the pictured shells as you explore the sandy
beaches on your own. A very enjoyable book for anyone interested in sea-
shells.

Great pictures and interesting, useful, basic information for young and old !

My son started the first book and he is really enjoying it. I recommend this series to boys who love to read!

After meeting Henry Winkler in the Savannah, GA airport, my daughter immediately wanted me to find his books. He personally recommended them to her based on her age. I went online and bought the entire collection. She absolutely loves them. Thanks Mr. Winkler!

My daughter loves this series! She loves the FONZ, aka Henry Winkler (author of this series). Great way to get started collecting the whole series HANK ZIPZER.

This WHOLE series of books is a BIG hit with kid's between 9 and 13 years of age. It has EVERYTHING a child of that age loves to talk about. The stories are entertaining and very topical for kid's in that age group.

I was able to meet Henry Winkler at a book signing and he is a wonderful individual. He suffers from Dislexia and incorporates his difficulties with Dislexia during his childhood in a way that makes children understand that even though someone may be different, they still are important. But don't think these books are all about dislexia, they're not. They deal with issues that kids of the 9-13 age bracket face every day.

So far, I like the book about the Enchilada and my second favorite is the newer one about family trips. I can relate, my Sister ALWAYS threw up in the car.

Anyone who has a child with Dislexia should be buying these books. If your child does not suffer from Dislexia, these books are still very awesome, your kid's will LOVE them!

The Hank Zipzer series is amazing. It is so funny and yet moving. My son has become very empathetic of others and how they view themselves. Without prompting, he said, "I don't know why Hank thinks he is stupid, he is so clever and creative. Not everyone is smart in the same way." And this when he was in second grade. We have followed Hank from the beginning and try to get as many others to read this series. Hope you do too.

I picked up this book because we recently got two hermit crabs and I wanted to learn more about taking care of them. While this book was among the more helpful I've come across on the subject, I was hoping it would be more detailed. Everything in it was useful, and it helped me know what to do for the basics, but I want to go a little more advanced.

I found the book to be extremely informative and helpful.
there was a great deal of information that i found very useful. Very pleased with this product.

With there not being out the in pet stores on how to care for your hermies, this book is very helpful for the novice owner or even for a brush up for someone more experienced. I like to try and read as much as I can. It explains the background of the species as well as how to care for them properly. Thru that, it shows that they are NOT just a disposable pet to live in a little plastic container w/ a 1/4 inch of sand :-( hopefully someday that philosophy will change. They are so interesting and can live a very long time if taken care of properly. It is only a lot of work if you do not have the time.

This book has everything that the novice hermit crab owner needs to know to take care of and enjoy their hermit crabs! Information on food, water, environment and behavior can be found easily. This book really helped us learn about our new pets!

I bought this book and WOW, it totally helped me take care of my hermit crab Sidney. It tells you all that you need to know to let your hermit crab live safely and happily ever after!

What a shame that books this worthwhile have to go out of print. In its quiet, unassuming way, I found this to be a classic work of animal-lover's literature. Like at least one other reviewer, I wondered whether I could get through the entire book after reading the first paragraph, which seems to be foretelling a tragedy. But I did, and instead shared something more like a triumph. I will never give up my copy of this book. I hope the used copies available here will be enjoyed by many more people.

"Home Waters" is a charming story about a fly fisherman and his dog. It is Monninger's memoir and tribute to his dog, Nellie, an eleven-year-old Golden Retriever, who he has recently learned has cancer. He decides to take a road trip from his home in New Hampshire to visit some of his favorite fishing spots in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Monninger takes the reader along for the ride, describing the details of his fishing trips -- where he sets up, which type of bait he uses, how he adjusts his technique to the circumstances -- and how Nellie accompanies him in all he does -- how she sniffs at each stick and stone as she explores a new area, how she snuggles into his sleeping bag on cold nights, how she taught herself to dive under water after him. As he makes his way through the trip, he reminisces about earlier fishing trips and other experiences he and Nellie have shared.

I loved the tone of this book. Monninger has a pleasant, matter-of-fact way of telling a story. I especially liked how he conveyed his simple love and respect for Nellie just in the way he interacted with her and in his reports of their conversations: "I told Nellie we were done for the night. She seemed grateful." Or, "I told her she was a good dog." When Nellie encountered a harvested potato field, she gave her best shot at retrieving the hundreds of potatoes left on the ground, only to be defeated by the magnitude of the task. Monninger says, "I consoled her on the walk back to the truck, telling her we all have such days, then fed and watered her. I told her to lay down on her dog bed and she did." After he returns to his hotel: "When I unhooked Nellie's leash inside the room, she put her nose on the edge of the bed, asking permission to get up. I told her to go ahead, but not to hog the whole thing. She curled at the foot of the bed, tail to nose. I sat besider her and gave her a rub. In a little while she began to snore. I read for awhile, then turned out the light." I especially related to his dilemma when he went fishing at Yellowstone. "The hard part was explaining to Nellie it is against park regulations to take a dog into the back country.... Nellie wasn't pleased with it... and when I locked her in the back of the truck, she whined to come with me. I was firm with her and caved only enough to give her a biscuit." I've never been fly fishing, but I enjoyed Monninger's equally droll explanations of how it works, the strategy (and luck) that goes into it. I think I now understood why "the one that got away" haunts every fisherman.

Monninger uses all his senses in his prose. Unassuming details become necessary pieces of a fabulous story about a man's love for his best friend, one that can't verbally reciprocate the bond but shows an appreciation of the author through her patience and obedience. Bravo!

In this memoir, author Joseph Monninger recounts a very special fly-fishing trip with his best friend, eleven-year-old Golden Retriever, Nellie. Nellie has been diagnosed with cancer and Monninger decides to let the illness run its course- but not without one last grand encounter with nature. The pair traverse the country by pickup truck- camping, fishing and otherwise enjoying nature and the company of each other. This is a great book for those who fish because there are lots of references to the techniques and joys of fly-fishing.But the touching glimpses of the bond between man and dog, and of dealing with the curves life throws at us, add memorable depth and make this wonderful story of interest to everyone, fisher-person or not.

This is a wonderful story about the relationship between a man and his dog. I've never gone fly fishing but I found the descriptions quite interesting. I felt like I was with Joe and Nellie on their adventues. Very moving! I highly recommend this book to everyone even if you don't have a dog!

I have fallen in love with Wilson as portrayed by Nancy Levine. I think this is another great Wilson book. (If you haven't read the other 3, you must!) Great coffee table book, great gift, great to make you smile on a down day. Heart-warming tale of rescue from a puppy mill but light-hearted with a lot of humor in the photos and Wilson's editorials. Can't miss on this or any of Nancy Levine and Wilson's books!

Homer for the Holidays is a cute book that pug (and Taoism) lovers will enjoy. It injects humor and Taoist wisdom into the story of a puppy who escaped from the puppy mill and Wilson the Pug's effort to find him a home. The photos are adorable. It makes a great holiday gift.

FIRST OF ALL I HAVE 2 GORGEOUS PUGS AND LIVE IN AUSTRALIA. I FIRST READ THE TAO OF PUG AND LOVED IT. I HAD TO THEN BUY HOMER FOR THE HOLIDAYS. THE PHOTOS ARE THE BEST IN BOTH BOOKS AND WILL MAKE YOU LAUGH SO HARD. HOMER FOR THE HOLIDAYS IS A STORY OF HOMER A LOST PUG WHO IS TRYING TO FIND A HOME WITH THE HELP OF WILSON. IT IS MORE OF A STORY THAN THE TAO OF PUG WHICH IS FUNNY INSIGHTS INTO THE LIFE OF WILSON. IT HAS A GOOD THEME BEHIND IT OF CARING FOR ANIMALS OVER PROFITS AND I THINK IT PERFECTLY CATCHES THE PERSONALITY OF THESE LITTLE ANIMALS.

When I saw there was a follow up to The Tao of Pug, starring that little cutie Wilson, I had to get it. And I sure wasn't disappointed. This little gem tells the story of Wilson, who is on a mission to to "the right thing," and finds the MOST adorable pug puppy Homer searching for a home. The photos are beautiful and funny, and the story is one of the most heartwarming I've ever read. This book is a MUST-HAVE if you love pugs, dogs, beautiful photos, hysterical humor, and a brilliantly told, heartwarming story.

"Homer For The Holidays: The Further Adventures of Wilson the Pug" is a lovable book because of the lovable pugs within this magical story. As a pug lover, of course my face will soften and my spirits will rise at the sight of the pugs in the story, but non-pug adorers will still feel the joy when the read this delightful heartwarming story that can be enjoyed in and out of the holiday season. I recommend.

This book holds loads of information. It is a very good item for the horse owner to keep handy.

While the authors obviously know their stuff, I found it hard to read given the excessive and slightly archaic verbage; I would've preferred something much more consise, perhaps in a "bullet" fashion, rather than a tome.

No book is a subsitute for a licensed veterinarian. Now having said that...

I've had this book for years and wouldn't be without it. It got me through my first foaling and also caring for that foal (including vaccinations). While I've not read this book front to back, the signs & symptoms section in the front is invaluable. The chapters are easy to read, yet they are informative and allow you to ask intelligent questions of your veterinarian when it becomes necessary for them to be there.

My mother recently bought her first horse and this book was the first thing I told her to go get.

This is a well-organized, easy to undertand book for all horse owners. When I saw the size, I was daunted, but have found it to be helpful in understanding and tending to health issues with our horses. This should be on every horse owners bookshelf!

This book is a good reference book if you own a horse(s). It is easy to read and covers a wide variety of condition and diseases.

I am the author of "Hurricanes & Rainbows-Finding Life's Promise After the Storm," and although I am reluctant to submit a review of my own work, I am doing so at the urging of my publisher. "H&R" was never meant to be published. I wrote the pages of what came to be the finished work during a 28-day period in the summer of '06--nearly a year after experiencing two life-changing events--the breakup of an 8-year relationship and the ravages of Hurricane Katrina in my native New Orleans. These devastating events were closely followed by eight more which were equally as challenging. By the time I had endured #10, I was completely out of sorts--so much so that I finally came to the end of myself and sought professional help (something I swore I would never do!).

Long story short, my therapy "did the trick" and I finally got my life back. As part of my therapy, I decided to embark on a much-needed catharsis, which was accomplished through writing what I believed would always remain for "my eyes only." After trusted friends read the manuscript, they encouraged me to pursue publishing, which I did, and the rest is history. Now that my work is in print, my hope is that readers will find hope and encouragement when faced with storms along life's journey. To borrow a quote from the author, "I have learned that without the storms of life there can be no rainbows." Rainbows do await the storm-tossed traveler; yours may be just beyond the next storm cloud.

If you read the book and are encouraged in any way, I would love to hear from you. I can be reached by email at hurricanerainbow@aol.com. Please visit my website at: www.hurricanesandrainbows.com. God bless you on your way--Mark

I wasn't looking for "self-help" when I received Hurricanes & Rainbows as a gift. What I found was self-awareness and confidence to meet life's disappointments with grace and hope. Mr. Armstrong's poignant story of his life's experiences both tragic and happy were true inspiration. He writes from his soul bringing his readers along on his journey as if you were going through the experiences at his side. If you didn't know Mark before reading Hurricanes & Rainbows you will call him friend at the end of his story. To have survived any of the events described takes courage and strength. Having survived all of the events since Aug 2005 and still be able to smile and have compassion for others is simply amazing. Finding a penny will now always be a blessing thanks to this book. I look forward to reading the sequel once Mr. Armstrong finds his Rainbow.

This was not an enjoyable book to read--at least not the parts that described all of the life events that led to Mr. Armstrong's depression. However, it was a highly rewarding read. I am happy that Mr. Armstrong got his life back. I am glad he learned how to cope with the lousy hand his life dealt him. I am grateful that he wrote about his experiences, however painful it must have been for him to do so. His book will serve an important purpose. His words will inspire the downcast, encourage the weary, and lift up the fallen. His book did all three for me. No, I didn't much like this book...I loved it!

Nearly everyone has suffered loss and grief at some point in their lives. Many people battle depression following these painful events. Most of us have experienced many of the same losses as Mr. Armstrong. We've had our hearts broken after a failed relationship ends in a breakup or divorce. We've lost loved ones to death, maybe even violent death. We've dealt with financial problems, perhaps even bankruptcy. We've moved to new cities, taken new jobs, leaving behind famiily, friends, and our sense of security. We've buried our beloved pets. We may have even been hit by natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods. The difference between most of us and Mr. Armstrong is that for the vast majority of people, painful episodes such as these are usually spread out over a lifetime. For him, they all occured in less than a year! How he recovered from such a series of events is beyond me. But he did. His book can and will encourage any reader who faces hardship and pain in life, like me and like you. This book will show you how to never give up. It will show you how to learn and grow in your faith, not only in God, but in yourself. If you have faced problems in your life, read Hurricanes & Rainbows. You'll be stronger for having read this sad yet victorious journey.

It's been two long years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New Orleans, the city I call home. In those two years, I've read everything I could get my hands on that had been written about the storm, including Douglas Brinkley's The Great Deluge, Jed Horne's Breach Of Faith, as well as countless others. I've watched Spike Lee's documentary, The Day The Levees Broke. And they are all wonderful! This book, Hurricanes & Rainbows, gives the storm's fury a human face--one man and his dog struggling to get out of harm's way. But that man was already beaten down by another storm he endured three weeks before Katrina. That storm clouded his thinking and caused him to think irrationally in a seemingly hopeless situation. Katrina was only his second storm; there would be eight more to follow in close succession. The city of New Orleans has been slow to rebuild. Fortunately, Mr. Armstrong has rebounded much quicker. His storm story is an inspiration to me as a New Orleanian, but more importantly, as a kindred spirit who has endured his share of his own storms in life. If he can find his rainbow, then surely so can I. I have and I will continue to ride the waves and somehow manage to stay afloat. This book will encourage you to weather life's storms, knowing that you can and will prevail in the end. Extremely well written and blatantly honest, I highly recommend it.

Owning large parrots I found this book to be a wonderful explaination for younger children. It's colorful images and simple wording make learning about parrots fun and interesting for the little ones. Great book !!

How can I have lived this long and never noticed that two of a parrot's toes are on backwards? This playful and original book about life as a parrot is as entertaining as it is educational. My view of parrots is forever changed!

This fun 330-word picture book encourages the young reader to enter a fantasy world in which he imagines himself to be a parrot. Parrot behaviors are pictured, often with the child in the story imitating them.

I like the Creative Minds page cautioning people to think carefully about the work, expense and inconvenience before one gets a parrot for a pet. I thin the page with the black and white world map could have been color-coordinated to help the child determine the different regions where the various parrots are from.

I think children would love making their own beaks.

Overall, this is a delightful book suitable for young children who love parrots and like a good time.

What would it be like if you were a parrot? This enjoyable book tells you just how it would be to be a parrot throughout your day. You would even eat a popsicle, stick and all!
Author Katherine Rawson writes about parrot behavior and preferences in an amusing, informative way. Sherry Rogers illustrations enhance the text with dramatic scenes showing parrot behavior by painting children with beaks, claws, and the abilities to climb curtains and imitate phones. Young children will have so much fun imitating the parrots and parrot-children in this book. There is even a fact sheet in the back that tells children how to care for a pet parrot. This is a fun book for children ages 3 - 8.

Absolutely fabulous book! This book incorporates personality information along with being a very realistic view of companion parrot care. You are able to get a real sense of what it is really like living with a parrot! My business deals with companion bird owners 100% and I am definitely going to add several copies to our "library" and encourage anyone thinking of getting a bird to read this first - for fun and education.