Pets Books

This book takes the author (and reader) from the end of a 19 year marriage to the "first love" of the Papillon breed ("Butterfly dogs")and through many generations of love and loss. The authors family, friends, felines and canines intertwine in everyday living, drawing you deeper into their lives that you end up laughing at crazy antics of the furry critters and crying when things go wrong. Anyone owned by a "furcritter" can relate to the happenings in this book.
I was so enthralled in the authors life that it felt as if I really "knew" her! And the end of the book had me wanting for more. I certainly hope she intends on doing a "sequel" to this heart warming book!

Congratulations to the author for writing such a super book, I thoroughly enjoyed it and about to re read. Warm, funny and poignant,the artwork is fantastic I will be sending for Jean Keating's other books, if she published in the UK being such a pet loving nation she would be very popular.

I have this wonderful book and recommend it very highly. Warm hearted, well written and excellently illustrated. Five generations of life with her beloved Papillons !! You will laugh as these unstoppable dynamo canine companions put Jean through her paces and parts will also tug at your heartstrings.
This is truly one of the most enjoyable books that I have ever read. It is one of those books that you love to read over and over again. Jean is a very talented writer and a terrific friend. Our friendship will last a lifetime. I look forward to reading many more of her books. Jo Helms-fellow author

Charmingly enhanced with the artwork of Beverly Abbot, Paw Prints Through The Years by Jean C. Keating is an engaging and personal memoir of six generations of beloved animal companions and the joy their shared with their human owners. Written from both historical and fanciful yet believable canine perspectives, Paw Prints Through The Years is a true delight and an especial treasure for anyone who has ever enjoyed the company of a canine companion.

Jean Keating is a master story teller. And, what's more, she loves animals! This heartwarming story chronicles the lives and adventures of Jean's wonderful group of canine companions. Jean invites you into their lives, letting you feel the pure joy that comes from loving (and being loved back by) an animal. Throughout the book, you also get to know the author,who herself is a wonderful spirit!A great book for all ages!

I bought it as part of my research into Animal Assisted Activities/Therapy and it has been such an inspiration! The author has found so many wonderful true stories about dogs and people who are really making a difference, and she writes about them is such a beautiful way. Dogs do not receive enough credit for all the ways in which they help humans, from detecting cancer and warning their owners of seizures to helping abused children though their ordeals in court and providing comfort to people in institutions. I now talk about this book with everyone I meet!

This was really an amazing book-- I learned so much about dogs and how much they can help us. Sharon Sakson makes the science understandable, and her ability to get you into the lives of people and their dogs is just amazing. Truly a book I couldn't put down.

Neil Plakcy, author of Mahu Fire: A Hawaiian Mystery

What a wonderful book! The writing is great, and it blends heart tugging stories about the love between owners and their dogs with interesting snippits from scientific studies. There are also entertaining stories about dogs and their connection with people throughout history.

Ever heard of St. Roch? Turns out he is the patron saint of dogs. He was starving to death when a dog began to bring him loaves of bread.

I expect everyone who reads the story of Toaster, the Mexican hairless who learned to warm and comfort a handicapped woman, will fall in love with him.

Really, unless you have a heart made of stone you will love this book.

I savored every moment of this book. Sharon Sakson enthusiam for her subject comes trough and makes the pages fly. Parts of it almost read like a triller-- you can't wait to find out what happen next. She combines a ton of fascinating research with wonderful storie of incredible dogs. The book isn't exactly was I expetect-I thought it would be a bunch of stories about therapy dgs. but it is much more than that. It is engagingly written and the information is so interesting that it turns out to ba a book you can't put down.
She does a great job of making the scientific information interesting and useful. it is all so interesting and some time surprising, that I was never bored, even though I thought I knew plenty on this subject.
And if you like this book, you should really go back and read her first book, Paws & Reflect: A special Bond Between man and Dog. some of the stories are Hilarious.Ans so well-written

I just recently completed this book and was positively amazed at its power. Once I picked it up, I found myself sneaking around so that I would be able to read it uninterrupted. The content blends little known information on dog history and lore with the most awesome stories. I indeed believe that to be able to draw the audience into the words on the page is a gift and Ms. Sakson is certainly gifted. I laughed at some of the stories, smiled and of course, shed a tear at some of the other "tails" that were shared. When I reached the end of the book, I looked for more pages, but there were not any. I am always able to tell the best books whenI am left wanting more and I was looking!

This small book does a good job covering many relevant topics about Pekes. I was pleased with the contents and would recommend the book to individuals who are considering on buying a Pekingese. The pictures alone will charm you into making the purchase.

I am buying a pekingese and this book is so helpful! I feel more knowledgeable and will be able to purchase with more confidence. I will also be able to get the grooming aids, etc. prior to the puppy coming home.

This does what it says and is a good guide for pet owners who have not had a peke before. You could do worse than sell it with each puppy, if you are a responsible breeder.

Yes, this is a pleasant, short, brief book about the Pekingese. However, it's not any different than any other book about the Pekingese breed. The information is very generic, and if you search around personal sites online or just visit breeder's pages, you'll find the same info. At points, I felt like the book became a generic dog care book, giving advice for any breed of dog. It isn't peke-specific enough. For example, they should've had a chart that listed how many calories of food or vitamins pekes need at different life stages and weather. Pekes may be small dogs, but they are heavier and require different nutrition than other breeds. One would expect a book titled "Pekingese" to be tailored to a Peke's needs but the info that is provided for feeding can also be found in a book for any other dog. Do you think a peke needs the same nutrition as a Dalmation? No. It's a good book for those that have never had a dog before, or don't have the slightest clue about the Pekingese. However, if you are already a peke-companion and were looking for helpful peke-specific info, this book doesn't provide info that you don't already know.

This is an excellent book for a first time Pekingese owner!! For someone who knows the breed(and I truly mean knows- I've had my boy for a year and a half and I still learned things), it might not be as helpful. It's easy to read and at times shows a little humor. It covers everything a responsible pet owner should know. It even included first aid techniques in case of emergencys, some basic training steps, grooming, etc. Definately an A+ book written by someone who knows what they're talking about.

Excellent book. Would recomend any of her books to everyone. It was one of those books I didn't want to end.

Anyone who has ever experienced the damp cool of forest shadows, heard the russle of leaves as a wild occupant gathers food, or stood in awe while listening to the forest breath high in the tree tops upon a gentle breeze, will immediately be transported back to that magical place through the words of Helen Hoover and the wonderful illustrations of her artist husband Ade. Fleeing the city of Chicago to risk making a life in the far northern woods of Minnesota, seeking virgin timber and solitude, Helen writes of their struggles with near poverty and the anxiety of isolation. Through it all they find peace of mind and spirit, and advocate for the preservation of wild natural places to the greatest degree possible. Once you read one of her books you will collect them all, and like another reviewer has so stated, you read them over and over and over again. Dr. Daniel Baney

Helen Hoover is one of those rare people (apparently) who is gifted on both sides of the brain. She was a very successful scientist in Chicago in an era when women scientists were few and far between. Tired of city life and realizing she and her husband had a now or never shot at a new life in the north woods, they took the plunge and basically burned all their bridges, spent their nest egg, and bought a cabin in Minnesota. This is the story of the winter, of the wilderness people, of their animal and human friends, and their struggle. Mostly, in fact it is about their struggle to adapt, and is a revelation of their character and commitment as they deal with one obstacle after another, each one by itself difficult enough to precipitate an honorable surrender, as most people expected would happen. Instead of surrendering they thrived, however, and this is the story of their first year in the woods. It is not laugh out loud funny, and is as much a story of home repairs, on the surface, as anything, but all the small details, patched together, tell a story that is worth hearing. I feel like a heel being the first reviewer not to give it 5 stars, but 5 stars means a classic to me. I couldn't put it in the classic category, but I still found it a very good book.

I picked this book up off of my parents shelf when looking for something to read - how refreshing! Helen and Ade's struggles to make it outside of the material world are an inspiration to me. Being someone who always wanted to move "off the grid" and live off the land, it's neat to know it can be done. I have not taken that step as of yet, but it's always tempting, cannot wait to read her other books. If you're looking for a refreshing read that is a basic down to earth true story, this is one for you.

A place in the woods lets you get a sense of spending time in the deep woods of the north. Well written story about getting away from it all to spend life in a simple place with few material things but rich with nature and its pleasures. A story of persistance and self reliance rare in today's world. I enjoyed this years ago and enjoyed it just as much here 30 years or so later. Find a quiet place, read and be taken away form your own problems.

I'm not much for reviews. I'll just say that while Mr. Backster's writing style is very dry and borders on boring, the content is amazing.

The dry writing style only goes to show that this is a pragmatic man who stumbled across something amazing and had the open mindedness to pursue it.

I HIGHLY recommend it.

This book made me realize, when Mom made us say "grace" before meals as kids, it wasn't for that God guy, it was for us. I recommend this reading for our brains owners manual. Enjoy

This book was recommended to me by a friend who had a near death experience. I can't thank him enough for turning me on to it.

Anyone with a background in Eastern philosophies would have thought these experiments would be "no-brainers". But the Western world demands scientific proof. And even when they get it, if it doesn't conform to their paradigm, they shoot the messenger. Yep. Nice legacy.

How refreshing to find someone who wasn't worried about their reputation, but was seeking knowledge. It can't be coincidence that someone with Clive's background would undertake these fascinating experiments and ultimately come up with the information he did.

After I finished this book, I always apologize every time I turn on the hot water in the sink.

I am impressed with the details of the research this author has done.

I have heard of the work of Cleve Backster in many different places over the years, heard a few radio interviews with him (Art Bell, Jeff Rense, Whitley Streiber, George Noory) and finally, he's written a book explaining it all.

His work does seem to confirm the work of others (who are, to be sure, "newbies" compared to Mr. Backster), such as Lynn McTaggart, as well as some of the late night assertions of Whitley Streiber's strange visitor discussed in his book, "The Key," as well as the Chinese and Japanese concepts of chi and ki, respectively -- or "The Force" to those of us in the Star Wars generation, which apparently borrows liberally from the concepts of chi/ki (see Glen St. John Barclay's excellent book, "Mind Over Matter: Beyond the Bounds of Nature" for a most interesting read as well).

Lots of interesting data in Mr. Backster's book ... quite an ideal method to interest a young mind in the field of science, I'd bet.

This book is a must-have.

This book will leave a mark on your heart and your soul. It has always been said that the animal kingdom treats its members with much more kindness than humans do and this book is a testament to the compassion and love that our animal world has for itself and all the rest of us!

This book is a must-have if you know an animal lover or if you are one yourself. It tells many wonderful stories on animals acting in brave ways to show kindness to people and to other animals. It's very inspirational and it makes you respect animals a lot more.

I can't believe this book is out of print. Reading it is like opening up a treasure chest and finding one gem after another. Each animal story touched me and opened my eyes and my heart to the world of animals. The stories are short and easy to read, and I found myself having a hard time stopping to take a break sometimes, I kept wanting to hear more stories. A great book to read outloud to your children too, my son was also awed by the stories. I was amazed at how smart and how compassionate animals really are. There are some interesting animal facts included too as side notes. I highly recommend this book!

The first time I read this book I thought it was one of the most wonderful books I ever read. I thought the same thing the second time I read it. I loved every story. And the best part is it doesn't just give you stories about animals and what they've done to people to change their lives, or save them. But it also gives you notes on how to return the kindness. And even stories on how people helped animals. Some of the stuff in this book is almost to hard to belive, but if you think animals are wonderous creatures that deserve the love and respect that all living things want, then you will belive everything in this book. I did. After you read the stories in this book, you'll have a different out look on all creaturs, even ants. All the stories in this book are just wonderful and amazing. My 5th grade teacher read two of the stories in this book to my whole class, after that I looked for the book. And obviously found it. Anybody who loves and cherishes their animals will love this book. Or if you just love animals and want a good read, this book would be a perfect choice.

The stories in this book will make you realize the lessons, gifts, and teachings available from all of God's creatures. This is a book for the simple pet owner to the most avid animal right's activist. No household bookshelf should be without a copy.

This book is easy to use, yet provides the information that you need. Its color pictures make it easy to identify the coral that you see in the book out in the field.

For scuba divers, these volumns are unparalleled. There is so much to see under the sea and so many corals look very similar. Paul does an excellent job of helping you differentiate among species. Of course you have to use your memory or your camera to compare it to the guide book after the dive, cause the book does not tolerate depth very well. ;) Highly recommended book!

A field guide to coral, especially by Paul Humann, is essential to your collection of ocean field guides. Hundreds of coral species are listed, including: sea fans, hard corals, soft corals, and mushroom corals. The book also explains the many diseases that possibly afflict many species. The coral entries have excellent, detailed explanations beside them, concerning species depth, range, and abundance. The photograph transfers are above average, showing enough of the coral for identification purposes. The photographs are of course very beautiful, containing various, colorful hues of these animals. Buy the waterproof, annotated version of Reef Coral ID to bring along in the ocean on a scuba diving trip. The book has been updated twice since it was published, with the original print still floating around here on Amazon.com. The second edition is far superior, containing many more listings and more beautiful photos. Completely essential field guide for a private collection.

Don't take my word for it, go to a handful of dive shops and this author's name will come up more than once. An excellent book, I haven't come across anything I like better. The others in this family are just as good.

This Reef Coral Identification book is THE definitive guide. In brief there is not a better guide out there. It thoroughly covers each type of coral and gives identification information as well as full color photographs. In addition to all the corals it covers other plant life likely to be encountered while snorkeling or diving. These include grasses, weeds, algae and coral diseases. With a plastic cover and the pages treated to resist water it can be taken to the beach or onto the boat without much concern about the water damaging the book. For each item the book also discusses any danger to divers that the particular coral may represent (such as fire coral).

This book can also be purchased as part of a three part set that also includes the Reef Fish Identification and Reef Creature Identification texts, each of which is equally as excellent as the Reef Coral Identification book.

What a great read, just a pleasure to read the works of Sigurd. His stories give a real feel for what it is like in nature and gives a desire to enjoy the outdoors! His writing style is inviting and detailed, Truly a classic!

Every small story in this book seems to bring us peace & serenity. Sigurd brings out the part of a person that is called to nature and is connected with the earth. Every time we read from the book it seems to recenter us and put us back on track for better more fulfilling living.
The only semi-negative comment would be that his writing is very male dominated. This is not totally surprising since it is written in the early to mid 1900's.

This book consists of 28 essays, each a few pages long. The essays discuss general themes related to the outdoors, with reference to the North Country from Minnesota to Alaska. Olson is a marvelous writer, and the essays are captivating.

The book is divided into three parts: "Primal Heritage," "Search for Meaning," and "The Imponderables." The first group of essays ruminate on themes such as nomads, hunter-gatherers, silence in the woods, and the implications of these themes for modern life. The second group on meaning concerns one-word themes such as harmony, aliveness, beauty, and simplicity. These essays would provide an excellent basis for discussion in a book group or a classroom setting.

The third group is the least successful, and moves to a poorly-developed religious climax. In earlier essays in the book, Olson revealed himself as a Christian who sees the beauty of God's creation in the great outdoors. In the third part he moves toward a more synthetic position, finding common ground among many religions. That's fine, but it leads him to two essays on an "emergent God," which don't really work. He is a nature writer, not a theologian, and it shows.

Though many of his themes are timeless, such as the need for people to discover their true nature away from their urban lives, Olson discusses many anachronistic practices. When he would arrive in camp, his chores might include cutting pine boughs for a mattress, chopping down a tree for firewood and tent poles, and other destructive practices. Those are no longer possible.

Olson also reveals himself as a man living in a patriarchal time. He would disappear into the woods for weeks or months at a time, leaving his family behind. In this book, he mentions his son Sig several times but never mentions his wife, who presumably raised Sig and managed other household chores. Olson also sings the praises of his canoe-makers, and the joys of simple food in the backcountry such as rice, beans, and meats, but he does not raise any of that food himself. This reveals him as being connected to a wider economy and to people such as farmers who cannot disappear into the woods as he can.

Would Olson have been able to live his life in the woods without his wife, farmers, canoe-makers, and others living their lives in a house? The thought never crosses his mind, but we should ponder it.

This is the best book ever written on wilderness.

This book compiles some of Olson's best writings. In it, his last book, Olson further explores the concept of self-reflection and self-discovery through wilderness solace. His writing will be of interest to anyone who enjoys the outdoors (especially canoeing), but also readers who enjoy general contemporary philosophy.

This collection of original ads and the subsequent exercise done by at least 4 different design firms is a very interesting approach to an art book. I enjoyed the accompanying "interview" with each designer so you could align the feeling you got from the rework with their explanation of the approach.

I work as a designer myself in an advertising agency and have only had this book for a short time, but really enjoy looking and reading through it. It has givien me inspiration and motivation in my own work. Also it has been a good way of seeing how other designers and artist percieve the same idea or concept. This book is great for anyone who wants to see or learn how other designers work, it's a good motivational tool.

Right when I opened this book I already knew that I would be hooked. The idea that certain design work would be redesigned by other designers helps me to see that there is never one way to solving a problem. If you want a new perspective on a project you are on, perhaps this book will help!

I highly recommend this book for your library. As a graphic design student, it helps me prepare myself for what my competition will be. I love how it shows the original piece and re:designs from other designers. The interviews are so captivating it is hard for me to look at just the piece alone without reading the interview. It will help you become a stronger designer, and as a student, it will help you become less intimidated. Great book!!!

Quizás lo que aprendí en este libro es que cuando estamos trancados en un diseño, es mejor empezar desde cero, como si nunca hubieramos trabajado alguna idea sobre el mismo desde el comienzo.

Reviewed by Kim and Sean Peterson for Reader Views (5/06)

Karen Greene gives in to peer pressure. Wanting to be accepted, she agrees to ride a horse that demands more skill than she possesses. When she and the other teens ride the trail, Karen struggles to control the uncooperative horse, Comet. Her poor choice and the sudden appearance of a dirt bike on the trail place horse and rider in danger. When the frightened horse bolts, Karen and Comet suffer injuries in a traumatic accident on the nearby road. Although her body recovers, nightmares and lack of confidence plague her. Karen fears riding her own gentler Morgan horse, Robin.

Karen's parents decide to move Robin to a different training facility, Gallant Morgans, with the hope that their daughter will find a way to overcome her fear of riding horses. The less intimidating atmosphere exposes the teen to new friends, including Heather Richardson who helps the owner Chauncy train horses for show and for the trail.

As the humans, horses and other animals at Gallant Morgans help her overcome the apprehension about riding, they also encourage the redeveloping bond between Karen and Robin. The mare doesn't take advantage of Karen's trepidation, but is the essence of patience as her young owner strives to re-master the skills that have seemingly abandoned her.

As volunteer horse caretakers at a local therapeutic riding facility, we feel that Feld accurately portrays both the responsibilities of caring for a horse, as well as the special bond developed through time spent together. Girls (and guys) who long for the full equine experience will savor this fourth story in the Morgan Horse series.

All I can say is, I wish I were a teenage girl again, because this series would have been on my bookshelf right up there with the Black Stallion series, the "Flicka" series, Marguerite Henry, and all the other horse books that were close to my heart. I recommend starting with "Blackjack" and reading the series through in order, as you can see the characters, both human and equine, grow and learn, and new characters add a new dimension, just as they do in real life. The best part is, as I can testify as an owner of 5 Morgans, the equine episodes in the books are realistic. Morgans really ARE like the horses in the books. And as a mother of 3 teenage girls in the past, I can also testify that the girls in the books are very much like the adolescent girls that filled my house all those years ago. Even though I am WELL beyond my teenage years, I can't wait for the next book in the series - I hope it is as exciting and uplifting as "Robin". Knowing this series, I am sure it will be!

This is a great book for horse crazy people, children and adults. Well written. Ellen keeps getting better and better, her Morgan horse books are something any teenage girl would want, and adult horse lovers too. Highly recommended. All three books in this series are EXCELLENT!!

Once again Ellen is right on the mark when it comes to a believable story with the delicious overtones of whimsy and fantasy that horses conjure up in all of us. All of Ellen's books are worthy additions to any library of children's classics, and are a recommended read for all ages and genders. We await more additions to the trusty list!

Ellen Feld zooms me back to my childhood and memories of riding with my friends. Yep, we did some crazy things with our horses...and so many times it was a result of peer pressure. Our horses, like the Morgan horse Robin, seemed to know better and were there to help teach us so many valuable lessons. Ellen's story takes hold of this reality and addresses it with a mature hand and detail that floods the senses with the smell of horses and leather, the sounds of hoofbeats and laughter, the sight of green grass and wonderful Morgan horseflesh, the feel of the reins and a freshly-curried coat, and the sheer bliss of spending time with horses and friends. I have to wait (somewhat impatiently) while my son finishes each new book that Ellen writes!