Lost Souls Found By Kyla Duffy And Lowrey Mumford

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In this book, you find over 30 short accounts of people who have a rescued Boston Terrier. Some stories are fun and some serious. Several stories relate the awful thing about "puppy mills" and what happens to dogs there where they are used to breed purebred dogs and then they either die, or are abandoned or worse, once they are no longer of any use to the people who run these awful places. Many of the stories are heartwarming and funny. All in all, the stories give people the idea of how wonderful these little dogs are and how important it is that everyone remembers that there are so many dogs that need to be rescued and adopted.

One of the stories, "Eyes Only For You", tells about how an owner connects with his rescue dog just from the friendly eyes he sees when he meets her. In a sad story with a happy ending "Foster Failure" tells of a dog that nobody wanted and was taken in at a foster puppy home only to find the foster parents fell in love with the dog and wound up adopting him. This family gave a home to the poor dog who had lived such an awful life in a puppy mill. A few pages such as "A Snort Break" give a few sentences telling happy tails or funny moments about different Terriers.

I believe that a book like this would open any one's eyes to the importance of choosing a rescue dog when the opportunity arises. As different books on different breeds are written and read, I imagine even more breeds of dogs will be better off and more dogs adopted. Perhaps you might have a rescue dog story of your own or may want to adopt a rescue dog after reading about these great animals and all they go through.

Karen D. Haney, Author/Developer of BOOKIN' WITH BINGO (http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/), reviews books and interviews authors for her book blog. Reading and writing are her passion.

My Dog is a Genius by David Taylor

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"My Dog is a Genius" is a very informative book. It is written by David Taylor who is a highly respected veterinary surgeon. He founded the International Zoo Veterinary Group in 1969 and now travels widely across the globe, treating any animals he come across which need help. He is the author of over 40 pet-care books including the bestsellers 'The Ultimate Dog', 'You and Your Dog', and 'Think Cat'.

It starts off with the author explaining about dogs and their history and how humans started to domesticate them. As you read on, David Taylor went on to talk about the scientific evidence of dog's intelligence. Times are different now and many behaviorists are studying animals and their way of communication.

David Taylor also goes on to discuss about dog's intelligence, such as different breeds belong to a certain category and so do their cleverness, their emotions, scent of smell, hearing and even how to communicate with your dog. What surprised me most was his proof that dogs indeed have memory! And they have 5 different memories. I have always thought that dogs forget events and incidents easily. Now I understand why my dog always barks at the same people. That is because he has social memory!

When I started reading this book, I thought it consists of all words and theoretical analysis. However, as I venture deeper into the book, I came upon this chapter. It is called "How intelligent is your dog". David Taylor actually provided many games and tricks for the dog owners to play with their pets. Most of the games and tricks (tests) are meant to determine your dog's intelligence. I couldn't help bookmarking the interesting games and I could not wait to try it out on my dog! We had a blast! My dog enjoyed his treats and in turn, I got to know that he is indeed clever! There are so many games and tricks which I have yet to finish testing on my dog.

After the fun and games, it's time to mellow down a little. The next few chapters cover basic obedience and behaviors. What about the training method David uses?

"No kind of corporal punishment must ever be used on a dog. Hitting, beating, kicking, pressing the lips down hard on the teeth - all of these are utterly taboo. Acceptable punishments are to interrupt whatever the dog is doing in a strong, sharp, even startling way, perhaps by the use of an air horn, the rattle of a can, a puff from a citronella aerosol, a squirt of water or just a firm, scolding 'No!'." (D. Taylor, p. 100)

David Taylor uses reward method in his dog training. Commands such as watch, sit, down, come and give are some of the training commands covered in step-by-step picture guides. Advance tricks and commands are covered later in the chapters. Tips on agility training are also shared.

This book contains a lot of information on dogs as well as practical work. To date, I find that this is the most interesting and informative book I have ever come across. In fact, I even thought I can rely on this book without having to research on others! This book will definitely help in keeping your dog's brain sharp and both of you entertained and bonded.

Joyful Doggy, [http://www.joyfuldoggy.com] , is a site catered to dog owners looking for dog training as well as information to understand their pets better. The method recommended on Joyful Doggy is Clicker Training.

More information on this item and other dog related products are also available at the website. Please visit the article page of my website at [http://www.joyfuldoggy.com/articles.html] to read more reviews of other books and DVDs.

Review on Good Dog, Bad Dog

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While watching shows on television regarding dog/pet training is becoming more and more popular, and trainers are more and more in demand, I have found valuable tips in dog training books.

One of the first books that I ever bought on obedience training, was Good Dog, Bad Dog by Mordecai Siegal and Matthew Margolis. I picked it up because just looking through the contents section, I found 5 areas that I knew I needed help with in learning to live with my new adopted dog. The best part about the book was the style in which it is written. As a reader, you may feel that your dog friend is actually speaking through these authors to you at times.

The methods the authors use to train are simple and do not require you to head to your local pet store for special devices. However, it is important, as they state at the beginning of the book, that everyone in the household needs to take part in the training activities.

I used their method of filling an empty soda can with change/rocks and shaking it at my dog when she did something wrong. It produced brilliant results and there was no shock collar or physical contact needed. Their constant reminder of only one word commands was also very useful and fast in training since it helps reduce confusion on the dogs end.

It was also very useful and helpful that they included a breakdown of all of the different types of training that dogs (AKC) need most. Even if you have a mutt, you can combine the methods for the various breeds and achieve great results.

The best part about the information provided in this book is that it is a wonderful resource to use as a reminder for your current and future pets.

A Member of the Family, Cesar Millan - Just Like a Kid

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The dog whisperer does it again in A Member of the Family. Cesar Millan shows dog owners how to get the most out of your dog's life. Just like on his TV show Millan uses his talent to show any dog lover all they need to know to help make their dog's life as fulfilling and as long as possible. He uses his unique understanding of dogs to weave his story like a fine fabric showing all the ways in which dog ownership can be truly wonderful.

In the highly successful book, the world-renowned author unerringly shows his true and deep love of everything canine. You get the feeling that he truly knows the mind set of dogs and how to break them of bad behavior without any cruelty at all. His approach is calm and sophisticated and uses kindness as its backbone. In this book he teaches how to recognize and correct behavior through psychological means. Even though he isn't degreed and is not a trainer his confidence and knowledge cannot be denied. The best part about the book is not only does he tell why things are happening and what to do to correct them, he shows you how. It is not just philosophy. It is practical application as well.

With this incredible book, Mr. Millan captures your imagination and brings you into the mind of your best friend. He shows you how to read your dog and understand what is going on in his or her mind. Then with very casual and easy language he shows you how to respond to your dog's needs with ease. It is such a good read that even non dog owners enjoy perusing through its pages. The author does something many writers find extremely difficult to do. He writes like he talks and that is what makes the book so great.

Inside A Member of the Family, Cesar Millan creates an atmosphere of knowledge that is so important to understand and practice in order to keep your home a happy one. He introduces us to his family and shows how they interact with each other and the dogs. It is really a great primer and reference book to keep around the house. You will undoubtedly reference the book many times throughout the years and will find it very helpful in so many areas. It's fun, informative and just a darn good read.

Sherry Harris the author of a wide range of dog topics including, but not limited to: dog training, dog grooming, pet travel, pet insurance, pet food, house training, dog breeds and dog supplies. For hundreds more free dog expert articles visit http://www.dogstylenetwork.com/. Hope you found the book review: A Member of the Family, Cesar Millan informative. To order this book, or to check out the bookstore visit us today!

A Dog Named Christmas by Greg Kincaid

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The local animal shelter has come up with a new program called "Adopt a Dog for Christmas." Todd McCray decides his family should take a dog from the program for the week before Christmas. However, there is one big problem with Todd's plan. He is a 20 year-old, mentally handicapped, adult-child still living at home on the farm in Kansas with his parents and his Dad doesn't want a dog. Todd can be very persuasive so it doesn't take him long to convince his father that this is a good plan. George, his father, tells Todd that he will agree to the plan, but that Todd must realize Christmas ends on December 26 and the dog goes back to the shelter on that day. Todd understands and promises that the dog will be returned to the shelter.

While they are at the shelter picking out their dog, Todd asks the shelter director what will happen to the other dogs. He is very concerned when he learns that those dogs will spend Christmas in their kennels at the shelter.

It has been a McCray Christmas custom to hold an open house on the Sunday before Christmas and nearly all the families in their small town stop by. At that open house, Todd begins telling everyone about the shelter and the "Adopt a Dog for Christmas" program. Gradually he enlists enough families so that every dog is adopted for Christmas week.

Well, as you can imagine, in the week that "Christmas" stays with the McCrays, he worms his way into each heart, especially George's. George, however, is determined to teach Todd that when you make a promise who must keep it. George has also had some heart-wrenching experiences with dogs in the past and he isn't sure that he can survive giving his love to another dog.

There is no doubt that this is a Christmas story first, but it is also the story of a man struggling to be a good parent and a family that is fully supportive of each member. There are so many stories about dysfunctional families, it is wonderful to read about a real family working together to really help each other. If you are a read-aloud together family, a Dog Named Christmas was written for you! If you just want a Christmas story to enjoy, you will not find a better selection. If you get as caught up with George McCray as I did, you can read his story in the prequel, Christmas with Tucker. Be sure to add these to your bookshelf. Put them right beside Miracle on 34th Street.

Lucile Nelson. Librarian
BS in ED - KU
MLS - ESU
As a librarian, I have read and reviewed hundreds of books. I now have time to share those reviews with the public at large. My love affair with a great dog story started years ago when my first dog "followed me home" from school as I fed him my left over lunch sandwich. Stop by my blog and check out other great stories and authors that are my favorites! Thanks, Lucile

http://ladiesloaduponbooks.blogspot.com/

Tale of the Puppy Mill-Cavalier King Charles Dog-Book Review

Saving Gracie by Carol Bradley is the true story of how a Cavalier King Charles dog is rescued after spending the first six years of her life in a puppy mill. Bradley relies on her journalistic background to peel back the layers of the many lives that intersect in this absorbing story.

If you are a dog lover with no understanding of puppy mills, you'll like the story and the factual information woven in about one of the more detestable elements of how dogs are sold is valuable information.

If you are researching the ugly business of puppy mills and need current statistical information and up-dated resources, this book will be an excellent source for you.

Bradley begins by: imagining the birth of a litter of Cavalier King Charles ' puppies born into puppy mill squalor. She describes the large-scale, shoddily run commercial kennel where the newly born puppies share the crate with their mother.

Too dark to see, the odor of dog feces and the vinegary smell of dog urine; this is the world that this puppy is born into. Her markings are so striking that the "breeder" decides to keep her so that she can churn out even more puppies.

It's a fact that this puppy will spend the next 5-10 years in a cage before she's finally put to death. "The last thing many worn out, vacant-eyed puppy mill dogs experience is a bullet to the head." (pg 5)

As the story continues, Bradley describes how a tip to the Chester County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) opens the door to what will be an investigation into one of our nation's most despicable industries: the commercialized buying and selling of puppies.

The caller describes a kennel that needs to be o magazine. She explained that the breeder had shown her a puppy covered in dried feces and stale urine, and that the breeder didn't seem upset by the puppy's appearance. Horrified, the woman refused to buy the puppy, left quickly and made that phone call.

Investigators will find a total of 337 dogs, 3 cats and two parrots as they go into this kennel to remove animals. The seizure of animals was described as the dismantling of one of the largest puppy mills ever discovered in this country.

Gracie is dog number 132 and the first time we see her is on page 42. She's being held in the arms of one of the investigators as she is photographed. This photo will be entered as evidence against the breeder. She is six years old and she has lived every day of her life in a cage.

Bradley follows behind Gracie every step of the way as she is moved into the shelter system, held there while the legal battle plays out, and then finally placed into the home.

There are plenty of statistics, the wide-ranging cast of human characters to tell their individual stories, and, there are the dogs themselves.

They are in varying stages of physical distress and are emotionally distant-especially the older dogs. Especially dog number 132, who the shelter staff has named Wilma, the dog that Bradley will adopt and rename Gracie.

Two months after being removed from the puppy mill, this dog "... still Sheriff smudged soiled spotted her kennel and stepped in her own feces. Emotionally, she remained maddeningly out of reach ...She was so tiny, so devoid of personality. " (p. 67).

The story of how dog number 132 finds a loving home and learns to trust-the best she can-the human family she will live with for the rest of her life-is woven into the cool, adeptly social and economic issues surrounding puppy mills.

Despite the sorrow and ugliness of this story, Bradley shows us how both humans and dogs really can transcend traumatic experiences. Gracie, scarred by six years of cruelty, does find peace and a measure of happiness with a woman who will love her unconditionally for as long as Gracie lives.

Finally, Bradley shows us that the tentacles of puppy mills snake into every state in this country; that until we completely wipe out this seamy industry, it does affect us all. For those of you who think you know all about this subject and think that puppy mills don't touch you as an individual, you need to read this book more than the rest of us.

Kathy H Porter blogs about rescue dogs and how they transform our lives. Visit: http://www.healingrescuedogs.com/to claim your free report of tips on how to change your behavior by what your dog can teach you.

A Book Review of "Anyone But You" by Jennifer Crusie

Girl-gets-dog-and-lives-happily-ever-after is a theme alive and well in "Anyone But You" by Jennifer Crusie. This is a delightful romp of romantic fiction that will suck you in if you like sharp dialogue and soulful dogs. For sheer entertainment, this book is hard to beat.

As the story opens, Nina Askew has already decided she wants a dog. "Something perky," she informs the receptionist sitting behind the counter at the Riverbend Animal Control center. (page 7) Nina has just turned forty, the fact that she will wrestle with throughout the story.

Despite the charms of the wriggly pile of puppies that she walks by as she walks through the kennel area of available dogs, Nina finds herself drawn to the sad-sack of an older dog, almost morose and vulture-like sitting there in his pen.

The kennel attendant explains that he is the basset-beagle mix; more basset than beagle. If he isn't adopted today, he'll be ethuanized. And, his name is Fred. He is not cute puppy-.

Nina weighs her options: frisky, adorable puppy or elderly, low-key, not-so-beautiful Fred. Recognizing a kindred spirit, she chooses Fred and takes him home.

Crusie's rather comic description of how Nina chooses Fred is a poignant moment and a triumph for all of the real-life, older dogs that land in shelters through no fault of their own. If only one person reading this book decides to go out and adopt an older dog, what a wonderful testimony to the fictional Fred.

Although Fred never upstages the human characters, he does become the object that jump starts the larger story of Nina's introduction to an engaging young man who is ten years younger than she. His name is Alex.

This witty and fast-paced novel is both hilarious and touching. It's a timeless story that never grows old because some things just never change. Falling in love with a sad-eyed, older dog that no one else wants is heartwarming. We get to cheer for the underdog as he's led off to his forever home.

Juxtapose that story against the magnetic attraction of a younger man for an older woman, have them finally fall in love, and that's the icing on the cake. You can read this novel is sheer entertainment and you won't be disappointed. You can also read it to recapture your faith in the power of laughter and love to ensure happy endings, and you won't be disappointed either.

Kathy H Porter blogs about the dynamics between people and their dogs and invites you to instant access of her free report on how understanding your dog's behavior leads to human success. Visit: http://www.healingrescuedogs.com/