Domestic animals and pets Books

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Book SynopsisGot a little space and a hankering for fresh eggs? Robert and Hannah Litt have dispensed advice to hundreds of urban and suburban chicken-keepers from behind their perch at Portland’s Urban Farm Store, and now they’re ready to help you go local and sustainable with your own backyard birds. In this handy guide to breeds, feed, coops, and care, the Litts take you under their experienced wings and share the secrets to: Picking the breeds that are right for you • Building a sturdy coop in one weekend for $100 • Raising happy and hearty chicks • Feeding your flock for optimal health and egg nutrition • Preventing and treating common chicken diseases • Planning ahead for family, neighborhood, and legal considerations • Whipping up tasty egg recipes from flan to frittata With everything that first-timers will need to get started—along with expert tips for more seasoned keepers—this colorful, nuts-and-bolts manual proves that keeping chickens is all it’s cracked up to be.

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Book SynopsisA layabout mutt turned therapy dog leads her owner to a new understanding of the good life.In late adolescence, Pransky was bored: she needed a job. and so Sue Halpern decided to give herself and her underoccupied Labradoodle a new leash—er, lease—on life by getting the two of them certified as a therapy-dog team. Pransky proved to be not only a terrific therapist, smart and instinctively compassionate, but an unerring moral compass as well. In the unlikely-sounding arena of a public nursing home, she led her teammate into a series of encounters with the residents that revealed depths of warmth, humor, and insight Halpern hadn’t expected. Little by little, their adventures expanded and illuminated Halpern’s sense of what goodness is and does—how acts of kindness transform the giver as well as the given-to.Funny, moving, and profound, A Dog Walks into a Nursing Home is the story of how one virtuous—that is to say, faithful, charitable, loving, and sometimes prudent—mutt showed great hope, fortitude, and restraint (the occasional begged or stolen treat notwithstanding) as she taught a well-meaning woman the essence and pleasures of the good life.

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Book SynopsisExtraordinary new insights into the minds and lives of our fellow creatures from two of the world’s top animal authors, Elizabeth Marshall Thomas and Sy Montgomery. A Mail on Sunday “Critic's Pick” Best Read of the Year "In their writing and in their lives and in their remarkable friendship, Liz and Sy break down false barriers and carry us closer to our fellow creatures.”—from the foreword by Vicki Constantine Croke, author of Elephant Company Tamed and Untamed―a collection of essays penned by two of the world's most celebrated animal writers, Sy Montgomery and Elizabeth Marshall Thomas―explores the minds, lives, and mysteries of animals as diverse as snails, house cats, hawks, sharks, dogs, lions, and even octopuses. Drawing on stories of animals both wild and domestic, the two authors, also best friends, created this book to put humans back into the animal world. The more we learn about what other animals think and do, they explain, the more we understand ourselves as animals, too. Writes Montgomery, “The list of attributes once thought to be unique to our species―from using tools to waging war―is not only rapidly shrinking, but starting to sound less and less impressive when we compare them with other animals’ powers.” With humor, empathy, and introspection, Montgomery and Thomas look into the lives of all kinds of creatures―from man’s best friend to the great white shark―and examine the ways we connect with our fellow species. Both authors have devoted their lives to sharing the animal kingdom’s magic with others, and their combined wisdom is an indispensable contribution to the field of animal literature. The book contains a foreword by Vicki Constantine Croke, author of the bestseller Elephant Company.Trade ReviewLibrary Journal- "Best-selling authors and best friends, naturalists Montgomery (The Soul of an Octopus) and Thomas (The Hidden Life of Dogs), partner on this engaging collection adapted from their joint columns from The Boston Globe. The essays explore the minds, lives, intelligence, and mysteries of wild and domestic animals. Both have spent most of their lives studying and researching animal behavior and share a worldview that questions a human-centric sense of superiority, as reflected in their insightful essays. Some impressions come from their respective New Hampshire surroundings, which include their own dogs and cats, deer, mice, chickens, slugs, and worms. They also share observations of animals seen on their various international research trips including pink dolphins, lions, hyenas, and hyraxes (a small African mammal). Reflections on love among octopuses, the death of a dog, and a visit from a Christmas ermine are quietly eloquent. VERDICT: Armchair and active naturalists will enjoy and learn from the authors’ enlightened perceptions on the intricate relationship between humans and animals in this thought-provoking collection."“In their writing and in their lives and in their remarkable friendship, Liz and Sy break down false barriers and carry us closer to our fellow creatures.”—from the foreword by Vicki Constantine Croke, author of Elephant Company“Two kindred spirits treat animals as they ought to be treated, with understanding, knowledge, and humor. These well-crafted essays are a pleasure to read and make you marvel at our fellow travelers on this planet.”—Frans de Waal, author of Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? “Are humans the ultimate species? Nope, not according to these authors. Water bears are: They have been around for 500 million years and will survive after we destroy the planet. Will chickens in your backyard sooner or later give you a name? Do eels dream? Can an octopus have a sense of humor? Read and learn. This is an absolutely enchanting book that anybody who loves animals will not only want to own but also to give to good friends. It is full of precious lines and deep wisdom, and there is a delicious sense of humor throughout. The authors constantly bring us back to the recognition that we are just one among millions of remarkable animals, each one worthy of study and deep admiration, the kind these very authors accord them.”—Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, author of Dogs Never Lie About Love; coauthor of When Elephants Weep“Two of the most tuned-in people in the world have now given us these marvelous narratives of nonhuman beings living their lives on our shared planet. This is exactly what we need more of. We need to understand who we are here with. And, more and more urgently, to understand that we are not alone on our planet. As humans become more isolated and alienated, stories of other animals offer us our best chance for succeeding at being human.”—Carl Safina, author of Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel“I cannot recommend highly enough this memorable collection of essays about the secret life of animals from two of the most thought-provoking, animal-savvy writers of this time, Sy Montgomery and Elizabeth Marshall Thomas. A must-read for anyone interested in all creatures great and small.”—Nicholas Dodman, DVM, author of Pets on the Couch; professor emeritus, Tufts University“A beautifully written, fascinating compendium of essays about many species with whom we share our planet. Sy Montgomery and Elizabeth Marshall Thomas impart their insights into the behavior of a variety of nonhumans in this extremely informative and thought-provoking read.”—Irene M. Pepperberg, author of Alex & Me“Tamed and Untamed is a beautiful duet between two of the world’s finest nature writers. These enchanting essays bring to life creatures both novel and familiar, from pink dolphins to domestic dogs, war elephants to garden slugs. Each chapter reveals a new animal mystery and adds to the menagerie of our minds.”—Abigail Tucker, author of The Lion in the Living Room“Tamed and Untamed is a gem of a book. Written by two incredibly gifted writers, it’s a multicourse buffet of wonderful and thought-provoking stories about the surprising and wide-ranging intelligence, and deep and rich emotional lives of many different nonhuman animals. These eloquent authors weave solid science into their stories so that nonresearchers can well understand what is happening in the heads and hearts of the dogs, cats, rats, hawks, octopuses, and many other animals about whom they write. The bottom line is that we are not all that unique among the fascinating and diverse beings who are called ‘animals’ and with whom we share our magnificent planet. They, like this book, are gifts we must cherish.”—Marc Bekoff, author of Rewilding Our Hearts; coauthor of The Animals’ Agenda“Who but Sy Montgomery could describe a hawk’s eyes as having ‘an intensity stronger than rage and brighter than joy’? Who but Elizabeth Marshall Thomas would take in a wild mouse, ‘sort of like helping a relative’? This is a book to cherish, full of enlightenment, curiosity, and admiration for all things animal. I loved it.”—Patricia McConnell, author of The Education of Will

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Book SynopsisNatural healing for pets has emerged into the mainstream—veterinarians across the nation are now providing acupuncture, chiropractic, and other alternative methods. With Energy Healing for Animals, acclaimed animal communicator Joan Ranquet offers an essential guide for anyone seeking to enhance their pet’s health, longevity, and quality of life—and deepen their bond with a beloved companion. "Animals are so receptive to healing energy," explains Joan, "that they’re often easier to work with than our fellow humans. In this engaging do-it-yourself pet therapy resource, this gifted healer offers a broad spectrum of guidance and tools to help our animal companions with behavior issues, pain relief, anxiety, and overall well-being. Here she presents practical instruction in pet Reiki, massage, feng shui, chakra systems, acupressure, Healing Touch, and much more—including breed-specific guidance for cats and dogs.

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Book SynopsisFrom the man who knows how to fertilize houseplants with Jelly and give someone a dry shampoo with Quaker Oats comes the first book of pet care tips that tackles everyday pet illnesses, quirky behaviours, and animal smells and stains by tapping into the power of brand-name products. The ever-inventive Joey Green presents fun and offbeat remedies for a wide range of pet troubles, from bad breath and skunks to hot spots and ticks. Who would have guessed that ChapStik stops a nail bleed or that Listerine can quell itching? Why not forego expensive and toxic flea sprays and use dishwashing liquid or Johnson's Baby Powder as a treatment instead? Even though these tips sound quirky (use Smirnoff vodka to clean your pet's ears?), they really do work because many brand-name products contain soaps, degreasers, emollients, and moisturizers to soothe, clean, dissolve, and heal quickly and safely. This fun-to-read book makes a great gift for pet lovers and is a practical guide for anyone looking for simple and easy shortcuts to live the good life with a pet.

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Book SynopsisThe Dog Log, written as a daily notation to the sheriff’s department, begins as a simple complaint about a barking dog, but it soon becomes a powerful self-exploration and confessional. It’s a touching, hilarious, and cleverly sneaky memoir of a man in Los Angeles who rediscovers himself when his elderly neighbor falls and he must reluctantly tend to her two badly behaved Yorkshire terriers. What he discovers in her apartment shocks him into a surprising decision, and by addressing her problems, he inadvertently resolves his own. With humor and honesty, The Dog Log looks into big-city loneliness, heartbreak, and old age, but then climbs into the light. When one man knocks on his neighbor’s door, and his life changes forever. Trade Review"A quick read with a happy-for-now ending." -- Booklist"Compelling and original ... A strange, sideways journey into human contact." -- Madeleine Smithberg, cocreator/executive producer of The Daily Show"Unpretentious and real, this soulful confessional is a welcome departure from the tired cynicism of hipster culture... as nourishing as it is entertaining." -- David Robertson, cinematographer, writer and director"If Dostoyevsky lived in Los Angeles -- and had a sense of humor -- Notes from the Underground might have turned out a lot like The Dog Log . Deep, funny and beautifully written, this semi-fictionalized memoir is an antidote to modern urban alienation." -- Greg Miller, cocreator and founding producer of Un-Cabaret, author of How to Be a Writer Who Writes and Miller's Compendium of Timeless Tools for the Modern Writer"'Mirth is the mail of anguish' said Emily Dickinson, and many classic American humorists have agreed. In The Dog Log , Richard Lucas spins a yarn that's both funny and sad, yet happily engaging. After piloting steamboats, Mark Twain did stand-up comedy and became an author. He might be smiling benignly as in today's Tinseltown this modern storyteller cleverly navigates the shoals of friendship and romance, bureaucracy and metaphysics, showbiz and sanitation -- all with a cargo of kibble." -- Michael West, PhD, author of Transcendental Wordplay: America's Romantic Punsters and the Search for the Language of Nature"Richard is a master storyteller... The Dog Log is such a clever conceit, and, beyond funny, it's an awakening -- humbling, personal and profound. Watching him tell his story to audiences and read from The Dog Log has been both exciting and inspiring. And even better, now it can be a proper book for everyone to enjoy." -- Michael Patrick Duggan, executive director of LA Story Works and the Los Angeles Storytelling Festival"The first book to have brought a tear to my eye in years. . . Funny, poignant and clevera veritable reinvention of the modern love story which reveals unexpected corners to find love in a modern age." -- Rusty Lemorande, Producer and Golden Globe winner, Yentl; supervising producer, Caddyshack"As both a psychotherapist and a reader, I was enthralled by The Dog Log ... It is exceedingly rare to find a book that expresses such depth of feeling from the male point of view. I hope that everyone in the counseling and other helping professions takes the opportunity to benefit from the window of insight that Lucas's wonderful book provides into the complexity of relationships, both with other humans and with our four-legged friends." -- Dr Ilene Krems, DPM, MFT, licensed marriage and family therapist

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Book SynopsisAnimals fascinate us humans, and we relate to them in a variety of ways. Whether we view them as companions, as workmates, as symbols, as totems, or as food, animals matter to us, and we want to tell their stories. In In the Company of Animals, 38 writers from across Canada tell thought-provoking stories of extraordinary encounters with animals. From tributes to a favourite cat or dog to tales of a chance encounter with a moose or a cougar, the writers cover a wide range of encounters with a wide variety of animals-from rats and salamanders to wolves and bears. These writers are people who pay attention to animals, their natures and personalities and what they can teach us, and they ask us to pay attention too. In the Company of Animals features contributions from well-known authors including David Weale, Linda Olson, David Adams Richards, Richard Wagamese, and Farley Mowat, as well as many new and promising voices.

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Book SynopsisVeterinary vaccines are given to prevent disease, yet studies show that they are often debilitating and fatal. They have been linked to autoimmune and neurological disorders, including cancer, diabetes, arthritis, tumors, seizures, allergies, digestive problems, organ failure, and many other serious ailments.Many veterinarians, both conventional and holistic, are questioning the validity of annual revaccination. They are moving away from this arbitrary recommendation which is unsupported by science. Many also refuse to use certain vaccines because the disease in question is either so benign or rare that the risks associated with vaccination outweigh any promised benefit.This important book provides information on all canine and feline vaccines. It includes several personal stories of vaccine damage to family pets, as well as hundreds of studies documenting veterinary vaccine safety and efficacy problems. As a concerned pet owner, you can now make informed decisions about the health and welfare of your precious four-legged friends.

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Book SynopsisLearn to identify every meow, tail swish, and slow blink in this fun, informative, illustrated guide to feline body language, from the author of Doggie Language.Have you ever wanted to know what your cat really thinks? Professional artist Lili Chin explores felines in this whimsical visual guide to reading and understanding the feelings and behaviors of your kitty.Packed with playful, vibrant, and informative illustrations, Chin demystifies common behaviors—including sniffing, rubbing, kneading, staring, stalking, and more—so you can help your kitty feel safe, secure, stimulated, and happy. Did you know that the further apart your cat's ears are, the less relaxed he is feeling? Or that when kitty bumps you with the top of her head, it can be a sign of affection, a request for interaction, or her way of saying, You are my friend?A well-known artist in the animal training and welfare world, Chin creates informational artwork backed by scientific research and vetted by animal behaviorists and veterinarians. From head rubs and tail twitches to eye blinks and ear flicks, Kitty Language is a fun and quick read to help pet parents connect with and appreciate their feline friends.

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Book SynopsisOn the basis of a lifelong relationship with cats, dogs, and horses, Regina Abt a graduate of the Zurich C G Jung Institute in 1985 who worked for many years with Dr M-L von Franz, has the ability to understand the dream motifs of cat, dog, and horse in their unique and life-guiding ways. The personal and archetypal dimension of the psyche is nourished by this book. Animals in dreams tell us something about our own inner instinctual nature from which civilised man has increasingly distanced himself. They provide indications as to how we can once again show due respect for this instinctual life energy with its hidden knowledge, and also show us where we underestimate and violate them. In this book we look at animal dreams as a symbolic expression of the instinctual, that is, unconscious psychic functioning of man, which is crucial for the well-being of both the individual and the society.

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