Showing titles in Pets & Animal Care

The last thing Bree Connor expected after being diagnosed with a terminal illness was a second chance at life. But somehow, that's exactly what she got.

Set on the banks of the Boardman River, just south of Traverse City, Michigan, River Love is a compelling memoir about a dog named Sheldon and his remarkable journey to his true home. Tricia Frey shares her deeply personal story, starting from the day she and her sister co-purchased the river property in 2005. The following spring, Tricia spotted the skittish, frightened, little Sheltie she eventually named Sheldon. A shed was transformed into a house for Sheldon and a bond of love began.

"Every horse story is a love story," writes Jane Smiley, who has loved horses for most of her life and owned and bred them for a good part of it. To love something is to observe it with more than usual attention, and that is precisely what Smiley does in this irresistibly smart, witty, and engaging chronicle of her obsession. In particular she follows a sexy filly named Waterwheel and a grey named Wowie (he "tells" a horse communicator that he wants it changed from Hornblower) as they begin careers at the racetrack.

Created by experienced ACD owner and professional dog-trainer Tarah Schwartz, this audiobook will give new owners as well as those experienced with the ACD breed all the necessary skills and insights to keep your Australian cattle dog happy and healthy from puppyhood through his or her golden years.

There is no real evidence that humans ever 'domesticated' cats. Rather, it seems that at some point cats saw the potential value to themselves of humans. John Gray's wonderful new book is an attempt to get to grips with the philosophical and moral issues around the uniquely strange relationship between ourselves and these remarkable animals. Feline Philosophy draws on centuries of philosophy, from Montaigne to Schopenhauer, to explore the complex and intimate links that have defined how we react to and behave with this most unlikely 'pet'.

In The Complete Guide to English Bulldogs, you will learn everything you need to know from start to end; how to choose a puppy, training, traveling, grooming, health care, and senior care. You will also learn all about the background of the breed, its history, breed pre-disposed diseases, and special traits. All the information is specific to Bulldogs and in easy-listening comprehensive detail.

How is it that pets are able to travel thousands of miles through unknown territory to reunite with their beloved humans? How can dogs detect cancer with up to a 98 percent accuracy rate and foresee epileptic or diabetic seizures in their owners? In Animal Wisdom, veterinarian and animal advocate Linda Bender offers a wealth of amazing stories and research-based evidence indicating animals have deeply perceptive—even extrasensory—abilities.

In 2007, a few years after purchasing Bedlam Farm in upstate New York, Jon Katz met Maria Wulf, a quiet, sensitive artist hoping to rekindle her creative spark. Jon, like her, was introspective yet restless, a writer struggling to find his purpose. He felt a connection with her immediately, but a formidable obstacle stood in the way: Maria' s dog, Frieda. A rottweiler-shepherd mix who had been abandoned by her previous owner in the Adirondacks, where she lived in the wild for several years, Frieda was ferociously protective and barely tamed.

An artist's solitude is a sacred space, where the sparks of inspiration can be kindled into fires of creation. But within this quiet also lie loneliness, self-doubt, the danger of collapsing too far inward. What an artist needs, Helen Humphreys would say, is a dog. And a Dog Called Fig is a memoir of the writing life told through the dogs Humphreys has lived with and loved over a lifetime, including Fig, her new Vizsla puppy. Interspersed are stories of other writers and their own irreplaceable companions.

Sometimes raw, sometimes humorous, but always honest, this is a true account of a woman’s struggle to overcome a paralyzing fear, get back into the sport she loves, and the friendships she develops along the way. After a lifetime of riding and owning horses and performing both in the show ring and on the trail, a difficult fall off her own horse on her own property leads Pam to realize age is catching up with her and she has become afraid to get back in the saddle.

In The Invention of the Modern Dog, Michael Worboys, Julie-Marie Strange, and Neil Pemberton explore when, where, why, and how Victorians invented the modern way of ordering and breeding dogs. Though talk of "breed" was common before this period in the context of livestock, the modern idea of a dog breed defined in terms of shape, size, coat, and color arose during the Victorian period in response to a burgeoning competitive dog show culture.

Dachshunds are popular for both their long, low-slung statures and their vivacious personalities. Their clownish behavior, unwavering loyalty, and "go get ’em" attitude has made this breed exceptionally popular throughout the world. These spunky little dogs come in a variety of sizes, with the largest specimens reaching nearly 30 pounds in weight and the smallest topping out at just 10 pounds or so.

Do you think raising chickens is only for farmers with acres of land? In reality: You can enjoy fresh eggs and feathery companions right in your backyard, no matter the size!

In the spring of 2007, busker James Bowen came across an injured ginger tom cat in the hallway of his shelter in north London. What he didn't know was that this would be the start of a friendship that would turn both their lives around, and lead to A Street Cat Named Bob, the international best seller that tells the story of their friendship. The Little Book of Bob is a collection of the wisdom James has learnt from Bob throughout the years, as they go through thick and thin together.

The Science Dog (aka Linda Case) takes a skeptic's look at many commonly held beliefs about dog behavior and training. Each of the book's 32 essays explores a question posed by leading researchers and provides detailed and thought-provoking analysis of their findings. Learn how dogs react to different training methods, discover the pitfalls associated with the use of extinction, and read about new studies that evaluate programs that communities use to keep children safe from dog bites. Other essays explore owners' ability to understand their dog's emotions, how people perceive and train ...

No matter how cushy their lives, dogs live on our terms. They compromise their freedom and instinctual pleasure, as well as their innate strategies for coping with stress and anxiety, in exchange for the love, comfort, and care they get from us. But it is possible to let dogs be dogs without wreaking havoc on our lives, as biologist Marc Bekoff and bioethicist Jessica Pierce show in this fascinating book. They begin by illuminating the true nature of dogs and helping us "walk in their paws".

Known as the American gentleman, the Boston terrier always appears to be ready for sophisticated fun. But owning one can come with its own set of unique challenges for an owner who is unprepared for the quirks and personality of this lovable, but often mischievous breed. Written by experienced author and dog owner Vanessa Richie, The Complete Guide to Boston Terriers is an excellent overview of the breed, covering everything a new owner will need to know to successfully raise their BT.

Psychiatric service dog are specifically trained to help handlers with psychiatric disabilities. It can be of great use to people suffering from schizophrenia or post-traumatic stress disorder. Service dog training for psychiatric disabilities is a relative new comer to the world of the handicapped. It involves much more than just providing the comfort and companionship that a regular pet does. These dogs provide tangible lifesaving services for people with mental conditions.

When Felix arrived at Huddersfield Railway Station as an eight-week-old kitten, no one knew just how important this little ball of fluff would become. Although she has a vital job to do as “Senior Pest Controller”, Felix is much more than just an employee of TransPennine Express. For her colleagues and the station’s commuters, Felix has changed their lives in surprising ways.

There’s nothing better than waking up every morning to collect that fresh batch of eggs and devour them for breakfast. And if you’re still not convinced, don’t forget that your surplus eggs can be sold for profit! So, are you ready to crack on with this eggs-quisite way of sustainable living?