Dog: The Definitive Guide For Dog Owners by Bruce Fogle

"Dog: The Definitive Guide For Dog Owners" by Bruce Fogle really does live up to its title. It is a very comprehensive, and yes definitive, guide to dogs for dog owners. It is not an encyclopedia of dog breeds, but rather a guide that takes you through the life stages of your dog, including birth, puppy hood, adolescence and adulthood. This is a very informative book that covers everything a person needs to know about the life of their dog.

This is a large book with a lot of information, and also plenty of great photographs that will be sure to delight dog lovers of all kinds. The book contains a lot of general information about dogs, but then also specifics that will benefit any dog owner, regardless of the breed owned, in fact, there is even a chapter on choosing a new dog, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

After an interesting introduction, chapter one is on how dogs became dogs. Short informative history with great color photographs. From there, chapter two covers how dogs are classified. If you have ever seen a dog show, and wondered how they classified the breeds, wonder no longer. This chapter explains how they do it. Chapter three then focuses on modern dog breeds. Good introduction to various breeds, but not as complete as a book solely on this topic. Chapter four then addresses what makes the modern dog. This chapter provides some interesting information that you don't see included in many dog books.

Chapter five is on puppies in the family pack. It contains information on mating, birth, feeding, and such. Then chapter six covers our relationship with dogs. The section on biting and bites was especially informative for me. Chapter seven provides good information regarding choosing a new dog. Practical advice for anyone wanting a new dog.

The next chapters focus on the life cycle of dogs and begin with chapter eight and canine infancy, then chapter nine on canine puppy hood, chapter ten on canine adolescence, chapter eleven on adulthood, chapter twelve on the older dog, and concluding with a short chapter on the dignified end. These chapters really do cover a lot. Information about anything you need to know about owning your dog is covered here. Training, behavior, socializing with other dogs, feeding, grooming, exercise, health and first aid, traveling, and many other special concerns are covered within these pages.

Sure, you don't need to read and learn about dogs to own one, but the information in this book can make owning a dog easier and happier for both you and your canine friend. This is an excellent resource for any dog owner to have on their shelf.

Alain Burrese, J.D. is a writer, speaker, and mediator who teaches how to live, take action, and get things done through the Warrior's Edge. He is an expert on conflict and mediates and teaches conflict resolution and negotiation. Additionally, he teaches physical conflict skills in his Hapkido and self-defense courses, lectures, and seminars. Alain is the author of Hard-Won Wisdom From The School Of Hard Knocks, the Hapkido DVDs Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking series, and numerous articles and reviews. You can read more articles and reviews and see clips of his DVDs as well as much more at http://www.burrese.com/and http://www.yourwarriorsedge.com/

A Dog's Purpose by w. Bruce Cameron-More Than Just A Dog Story

In his first book, newspaper columnist w. Bruce Cameron tells the story of reincarnation as seen and experienced through the eyes of a dog. What makes this book so poignant is that the author really seems to understand how a dog would speak and feel. Sooner or later, anyone who has ever owned a dog has looked into those big brown eyes and wondered what he or she was thinking.

Many of us have also wondered about the meaning of life. What is its purpose? If a human life has a goal, then does a dog's life have a purpose? Dogs serves many functions in the lives of their humans from companion, security guard, baby sitter, to guide and herder. This is the species that is referred to as man's best friend and also, when someone is working very hard, they are said to be working like a dog. So in our lives they serve many purposes.

Perhaps the biggest question in life is, why are we here? Animal lovers may also ask, why are dogs here? According to author Cameron, it is reincarnation. The main character in this book starts out as Toby the hard luck dog that winds up being rescued by an unlicensed rescuer, but that ends badly. Our hero returns in his next incarnation in a puppy mill and suffers again, this time at the hands of the thoughtless owner.

Through each incarnation the main character suffers and grows through the experience just as those who believe in the many lives philosophy think each human grows from multiple lives. For the dog lover, it may be a little difficult to get through some of the sadder parts of the book and rest assured there are quite a few of them. You will want to have a good hankie or two at hand.

But in the end, the answer and meaning of all that suffering and pain is revealed. There are two cautions that should go along with this review, the first is that if you are deeply affected by the suffering of animals, this book may have a profound effect. Secondly, if your religious or spiritual beliefs find the idea of reincarnation as offensive or disturbing, you may also have a problem with this book.

There are quite a few books that try to tell a story from a dog's point of view. W. Bruce Cameron got it right with his first book. This reader is sure that people who love a good dog story and animal fiction will want to see more from this author. A good four star book.

Wil is the author of the Lacey Blue Days greyhound series at Lacey Blue the Greyhound Story. A fun and inspiring dog story with romance, adventure, and surprises.

Wil Langford is a prolific writer. His short stories and books are available on Amazon the paperbacks and Kindle. Visit Wil's official author page at http://willangford.com/