Reader Views

The Ultimate Horse Lover

I knew very little about horses, therefore decided to review this book. Being part of a series (Dog Lover, Cat Lover) I previously reviewed, I knew I would be in for a treat reading this book. Needless to say, it was a treat - an incredible treat.

There are so many things I had no idea about when it comes to horses. Although the stories are very touching, it was also an educational read for me. Alluding to the fact that horses are not different than cats and dogs I’m familiar with, it ceases to amaze me they basically are no different when it comes to unconditional love, loyalty and friendship. The deeper I got into the book, the more enlightened I became.

The same as the other books in the series, "The Ultimate Horse Lover" also has photographs of horses and a "must-know" section. This section covers areas such as saddle placement, care of feet, taking photographs, and how to calm a spooked horse.

I highly recommend "The Ultimate Horse Lover" to all horse-lovers. However, I also recommend this book to people that aren’t familiar with horses because they will certainly come away more knowledgeable as well as heart-touched.

The Ultimate Horse Lover
Marty Becker, DVM, Gina Spadafori, Carol Kline, and Mikkel Becker
Health Communications, Inc. (2008)
ISBN 9780757307522
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (12/08)

The Ultimate Dog Lover: The Best Experts’ Advice for a Happy, Healthy Dog with Stories and Photos of Incredible Canines

"The Ultimate Dog Lover" – that’s me. How can anyone not look into the eyes of a dog, any dog, and discover the soul that resides within? And within that soul, there is a story. That’s exactly what the authors are sharing – stories about dogs and their humans. Note: dogs and "their" humans.

Each story, written by a contributor, is heart-felt and allows the reader to experience inspiration, joy, and tears. But, there is more to this book. There are color photos of dogs as well as what authors call "must-know info." There they inform the reader on how to make travel with a dog easier, developing a bond through trick training, reducing shedding, and taking photos.

This is two books in one; a book that shares experiences and a book that shares how to have a good experience. I commend the authors on taking the time and making an effort to inspire us through their work in "The Ultimate Dog Lover."

The Ultimate Dog Lover
Marty Becker, DVM, Gina Spadafori, Carol Kline, and Mikkel Becker
Health Communications, Inc. (2008)
ISBN 9780757307508
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (12/08)

The Ultimate Cat Lover: The Best Experts’ Advice for a Happy, Healthy Cat with Stories and Photos of FabulousFelines

To understand a cat is like trying to understand the opposite sex. It’s almost impossible. However, that said, there is more to a cat than what is perceived and the authors of "The Ultimate Cat Lover" are out to prove it. The book, a compilation of incredible experiential stories from contributors, gives us an inside look into the lives of a cat. The stories are touching and heart-felt. They bring joy to a cat lover and give a deeper understanding to someone reluctant to like a cat.

But, there is more. "The Ultimate Cat Lover" is part of a series and gives the reader many "must-know" answers. Compiled from years of questions, the authors talk about things like picking out a perfect cat, activities that enrich, redirection of inappropriate scratching, and also a glimpse into a cat’s body language. Even if you don’t have a cat, the part on body language will capture your interest.

The bottom line about "The Ultimate Cat Lover" is that it’s a great book. I highly suggest purchasing a copy, one for yourself and one for a friend that admires cats. You will both receive a gift that will touch you.

The Ultimate Cat Lover
Marty Becker, DVM, Gina Spadafori, Carol Kline, and Mikkel Becker
Health Communications, Inc. (2008)
ISBN 9780757307515
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (12/08)

Dobie, The Canine Saint: A Spiritual Love Story

Paul Greenbaum’s life was changed irrevocably on a summer day in 1985 when he met up with his friend Tom for a camping trip to Maine. Tom showed him a dirty chicken wire and wood cage that held three small Doberman/Rottweiler mix puppies. He explained that the puppies belonged to his neighbors and not only were they not taking good care of the animals, the neighborhood children were being abusive to the dogs when they happened upon their cage. Tom asked Paul if he would be interested in taking one of the dogs. Paul had just days before had to put his 12-year-old dog Big Pal to sleep, and was not ready to think about another having another animal, so he politely declined.

The men went on their camping trip and when they returned to Tom’s home, Tom again encouraged Paul to take one of the female puppies, who had been misnamed Vicious, as the timid girl was anything but. Paul’s first inclination was to again say no, but the voice of his inner guide pushed him in a different direction, and he said reluctantly said yes. On the trip back home to New York, little Vicious was so unnerved by the whole experience that she defecated and urinated all over the backseat, and Paul wondered what in the world he had gotten himself in to.

Over time, after Vicious was renamed “Dobie” and she grew used to her new home, her fears were slowly dispelled through Paul’s constant love and companionship, and she became the true definition of “man’s best friend.” Dobie and Paul spent many years together, and over those years, Paul learned more about himself than he had during all of the previous years when he was without this special canine. Guided by his inner voice and the love he and Dobie had for each other, he was able to open up more to the possibilities that life has to offer if we will only listen to what is going on around us.

“Dobie, The Canine Saint” is a heartfelt tribute from a man to the animal that changed the course of his life through her playfulness, courage to overcome fears and obstacles, and her faith and love in her master. Paul Greenbaum is obviously a very spiritual man and he uses his story to not only tell the tale of Dobie, but to spread the message of inner peace and love that he himself learned over the course of Dobie’s life. Animal lovers, as well as readers with an interest in spirituality, will enjoy this well-written saga of the bond between mankind and animals.

Dobie, The Canine Saint
Paul Greenbaum
iUniverse (2007)
ISBN 9780595421268
Reviewed by Nikki Pringle for Reader Views (7/08)

My Lucky Dog

With “My Lucky Dog,” photographer turned author Mellon Tytell, uses stunning imagery and brief captions as a poignant goodbye to her beloved dog.  Hunter, a mixed-breed stray that Tytell found through an ad at a pet store in Vermont, became her constant companion and the “love of her life” for the thirteen years he was hers. Tytell’s background as a photographer in breathtaking locations like Paris, the Andes, Haiti, and the Himalayas served her well as she took roll after roll of film capturing Hunter’s adventures at her homes in New York and Vermont.

While the words enhance Hunter’s story, it is really the pictures that tell the tale. Tytell has captured her dog’s every mood, from sadness to playfulness to pure joy, with absolute clarity. She finds the perfect words to augment the array of snapshots she has chosen to share. In one portion of the book, a variety of photos of the Vermont landscape are laid out next to close-ups of Hunter’s fur from different angles, and it is amazing to see how closely these two very different things seem to synch up in color and texture.

Tytell also incorporates images that are not of her dog but serve well in telling his story, like the haunting photo of a bird flying through the trees over a foggy dirt road, accompanied by the caption “He could no longer sit. His spinal cord wasn’t sending messages to his paws.” The combination of these words with the photo lends visual perspective to the fact that Hunter is preparing to “fly away” from his beloved owner.

Mellon Tytell has accomplished her goal of giving a more than fitting tribute to the animal that was more than just a pet; he was a part of the family. While the book is not marketed for children, I do think it is suited to those that are a little older and dealing with the impending or recent loss of a family pet. All animal lovers, especially those with a canine companion that they could not imagine their lives without, will be moved by Hunter’s story in “My Lucky Dog,” by Mellon Tytell.

My Lucky Dog
Mellon Tytell
William Morrow (2008)
ISBN 9780061473074
Reviewed by Nikki Pringle for Reader Views (6/08)

Where the Blind Horse Sings: Love and Healing at an Animal Sanctuary

Kathy Stevens leaves her career as a high-school English teacher and creates a “teaching sanctuary”--a place for farm animals who have been abused that would also teach others about the impact our treatment of animals has on us and the environment.   She turned a neglected farm into Catskill Animal Sanctuary in 2001 and has never looked back.  In her first book, Ms. Stevens shares some of stories of the over 1000 animals she, her staff and multiple volunteers have rescued in the first few years of the sanctuary’s existence. 
 
Through her poignant and often humorous storytelling, Ms. Stevens introduces the reader to Rambo, a violent sheep who eventually learns to trust and love humans enough to alert them when another animal is in trouble.  We meet Buddy, a blind horse whose will to live appears gone, and walk with the author as she gives him the confidence and trust to find joy again.   Readers will laugh out loud at the story of Paulie, a former cockfighting rooster who eats lunch with the staff and even demands to sleep in the author’s bed. 

There are many more stories in this wonderful book that will delight the reader. It was evident in every single page of this book how much Ms. Stevens loves these animals and how much they love her back.  The author does touch on the reality that most livestock face -- both in their short lives and how they are slaughtered -- as she continues her mission to educate people about the reality of our meat-eating society.  This information is stated well and meant to educate the reader.   It does not detract from the book at all and truly it is the lessons taught by the animals at the sanctuary that will stay with the reader.  I would recommend “Where the Blind Horse Sings” to everyone, not just animal lovers, as the joyful and uplifting stories contained in the pages will touch their hearts and bring a smile to their faces.

Where the Blind Horse Sings
Kathy Stevens
Skyhorse Publishing (2007)
ISBN 9781602390553
Reviewed by Lisa Kisner for Reader Views (5/08)

Adopted Paws

Retz Reeves was a native of Oakdale, Pennsylvania till she accepted a job in Florida with an investment firm. Living in Miami, Florida, Retz pursued her investment career during the day and studied Microbiology and Business at night. After almost a decade Retz graduated from Florida International University, after which she obtained her MBA from Nova Southeastern University, married Randy Reeves and started adopting stray animals.

“Adopted Paws” was a humorous read and I immediately fell in love with it when I read how Retz met her husband’s dog. It was such a common response with most hounds and I could picture the dog making her acquaintance. Retz does a very good job in telling her story of learning to live with a new husband and his dog...then, some additional cats, and more dogs, and more cats. The hilariously funny story continues when they decide to look for a place close to the ocean. Retz and her husband Randy had wanted a place to get away and decided to look for a place in the Florida Keys. Their struggle to find the perfect place is hampered for a while but finally comes to an end. They find their sanctuary on a canal in the Florida Keys.

While at the vets one day with her cat Molly, Retz was informed that Molly had Feline Aids. This was not contagious to humans but could be to other cats. The diagnosis was devastating to Retz. There was nothing that could be done for the animal and Retz and Randy had to cope with the thought that Molly’s time was limited.

When Mom and Dad wanted to go to the house in the Keys they naturally had to take the family with them. Not an easy task when you have to load cats into cages and a couple of hounds. Retz relates a few of these incidents in the book and I could just picture the funny scene as she described the pitfalls of traveling with pets. Cats getting carsick and vomiting on the seat, big dogs needing to go number two and when you’re on the highway there is nothing you can do.

“Adopted Paws” was one of the funniest and most interesting animal books I have read in a long time. The book was well written, PublishAmerica did a nice job with its publishing and it was a great read. I give it an A and recommend it to all animal lovers.

Adopted Paws
Retz Reeves
PublishAmerica (2007)
ISBN 9781424169412
Reviewed by William Phenn for Reader Views (11/07)

Swiss Tradition in Black and White

Marlies Bugmann
Zumaya Productions (2006)
ISBN 1894869656
Reviewed by Joanne Benham for Reader Views (10/06)

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a breed native to Bern, Switzerland. Although dogs of their type are believed to have been around for centuries, it wasn’t until 1902 that an effort was made to establish guidelines and breeding standards for these hard-working farm dogs. The Bernese Mountain Dog is beautifully marked, with a glossy black coat, white booties, a white blaze on the face, a white chest and a white-tipped tail, all highlighted with tan markings.

Read complete review at readerviews.com