5 comments about Cat Women: Female Writers on Their Feline Friends.

1. If you love cats then this is the book for you! Very enjoyable and light. A series of delighful short essays by women writers about their cats. Many parts will have you laughing out loud. I loved it.



2. There's a reason this book was on the mark-down section. It is horrible. It is trying too hard to be edgy when its target audience wanted pro-cat stories. From the owner who let her cat get frostbit then brags about it, to the other stories of neglect and hatred of all things feline, this bunch of essays deserves to quietly get tossed in the recyle bin. It's actually not even worth the cost of printing nor the paper it was printed on.
   I happen to love cats, and fully expected to enjoy this book. I suppose I'm out of the demographic for this book anyway. It's aimed at 30-somethings who got a cat because they were lonely then were afraid to admit it.
   Yada yada yada.....bunch of hot hair by people who don't really understand cats.



3. I picked up this book for a very specific reason: to help me decide if I wanted to become a cat woman again. It had been a few years since my two feline loves had moved on to that bottomless bowl of cat treats in the sky, and it seemed time to welcome a new meow into my life. To be sure, I wanted to revisit that special, mysterious, hard-to-articulate-without-sounding trite relationship that develops between felines and females without the risk of falling in love again. And for this purpose, the book deserves five stars. More than the evocative prose, the funny stories, the intimate details, hearing the range of feelings -- physical and emotional -- that cats have evoked in other women, helped me realize I wasn't yet willing to dive into a new relationship with even the prettiest kitty. Special thanks to Megan McMorris for her right-on introduciton and Sophia Dembling for an unforgettable opening essay.
   Jean Fain



4. I can not say enough about this book without almost gushing. I found this book "staring" at me one day only days after my Mistie had passed away. Reading other people's stories about their cats unique habits and unique personalities and the bond that was there for him made me feel comforted somehow during this grief period that I am experiencing.
   
   I loved all the essays to one degree or another but two top favorites were about a little man named Murphy aka Murph dawg and how he wedged himself a place in the heart of his owner's significant other and then the editor's. Megan McMorris, own essay on trying to get her Lucy and her boyfriend to find some common ground.
   
   If you want to read how cats can affect your life...this book is the perfect place to start.



5. To me, cats have always been as mysterious as women--they're elusive one moment, playful the next, and you never know what's going on behind those eyes--so I read this book in the hope that the pairing of the two species together would offer some insight, that like with mathematical signs, the shroud of mystery would be cancelled out when multiplied. I wasn't disappointed.
   
   There's a lot of variety in the essays, some humorous, some sad, but all very genuine. My favorites are "Strutting the Catwalk: Seven Habits of One Sexy Beast" by Jennifer Jalalat, which compares the innate sexiness in cats with female sexuality, and "Saved by the Cat" by Melinda J. Combs, which tells a tale of how saving a cat saved a friendship.
   
   I haven't read all the essays yet, but the ones I have are great, and while they haven't taken the mystery out of women or cats--nothing ever will (and I think I like it that way anyway)--there are a lot of insightful and touching moments.

4 comments about To Absent Friends: A Collection of Stories of the Dogs We Miss.

1. The delivery on this was also wonderful the book is about dogs who we've loved and lost is a wonderful book



2. I have always thought there was a good reason that "dog" is "God" spelled backward.
   This book, and I have read many on the subject of companion loss, truly capturess
   the absolute unconditional love that dogs so willingly bestow on us mere humans. It
   is a tragedy in the worst sense that some of us don't deserve such devotion -
   as in the story of the "Dark-Brown Dog." I would caution readers that this particular
   chapter is exceedingly difficult to to absorb. Most of the stories however are a
   heartfelt tribute to dogs whose love and complete dedication colored the authors landscapes
   in the most meaningful of ways. It is, as is said in the book, a travesty of justice
   that they can't accompany us longer in our journey through life.



3. Yes, it's THAT Jameson Parker, the blond brother from TV's "Simon and Simon" PI show. He left show biz to become a writer, and is apparently doing a darn good job.

   This is a collection of stories, essays, and poems about dealing with the grief of losing a beloved dog. Included are familiar names - like James Herriott, John Updike, and James Thurber - from familiar books, and unfamiliar pieces, originally published in newspapers and foreign books. Parker himself even has a short piece, a very touching one on the pet-owner's most difficult decision: euthanasia.

   Let me warn you, you probably won't be able to read more than one or two of these pieces at a time. I found myself in tears, time after time. But the writing is good, and not all of the stories are complete tearjerkers.




4. Those of us who have ever loved a dog will be deeply moved by this collection of stories. The authors range from dog trainers to owners of a beloved household pet, but each writer captured something of the gift dogs give their human companions. My only complaint with the book was with the occasional typographical errors that the publisher should have caught. The book was most impressive in every other respect. It tugged at my heart strings, and I am sure that other readers will share my feelings.

3 comments about Horse Miracles: Inspirational True Tales of Remarkable Horses.

1. This is the perfect collection for teenage, horse-crazy girls, and reminds me of the Horse Stories I gobbled up as a kid.
   
   It's a collection of true stories, apparently from people all over the country, each told to a writer and then edited together into this collection. Some are better than others, but they all remind us of how noble, perceptive and kind horses can be when they become partners with their owners instead of beasts of burden.



2. This book is plagued with plagerism of already published stories. Most of the details regarding the stories about Ruffian and Secretariat are inaccurate, and they called Riva Ridge, "River Ridge". Very, very, very poorly researched and written. I do not advise anyone to buy this book. I was very disgusted with it. Also, they mention several times that horses are often sold for dog food, and apparently they did NO research on this little fact, HORSES HAVEN"T been used in dog food for nearly 30 years!!!! Perhaps they were trying to cover up for the slaughter industry which buys and slaughters horses for human consumption overseas. I couldn't even finish the book, I didn't trust any of the content as truthful.



3. As a rider and having owned a horse I was so pleased to discover "HORSE MIRACLES". Brad Steiger and Sherry Hansen Steiger's newest delightful collection of true horse tales is an absolute lovely tribute to a long overlooked subject. It easily demonstrates the most noble and important role that horses can miraculously play in the lives of humans. I'm sure that every horse owner can identify with the Steiger's newest book. And if you have never owned a horse it gives a wonderful insight into the oft times ignored talents and sensitivity of these noble creatures. I've enjoyed all of the Steiger storys about other animal miracles but "HORSE MIRACLES" is just especially outstanding! I just could not put it down. And, as usual it is told through the Steigers own special and creative way of writing that lets you, as the reader 'see' and 'feel' the action in each story as it happens.
   Does it get any better than Brad Steiger and Sherry Hanson Steiger's "Horse Miracles"? ...'neigh'...Charming and wonderful
   is the only way I know to describe their newest book!!!...I will read it over and over as it is highly inspirational! I plan to be sure to use "HORSE MIRACLES" as a top gift consideration to friends and absolutely recommend it as an outstanding book for any member of the family individually or to read aloud from on family night.

5 comments about Animal Blessings: Prayers and Poems Celebrating Our Pets.

1. For anyone who has ever loved an animal, this is a heartwarming little book. No need to read it just once - pick it up anytime.



2. I was given a copy of this book after we lost our dog. I like it so much that I now get a copy for every friend who welcomes a new pet into their home or someone who loses a pet. Sometimes I cry and sometimes I laugh when I pick it up to read. I find myself going back to it every now and then and always find a page or two that brings a smile to my heart.



3. I have given this book a number of times. To friends who have lost their pets, to friends who have recently acquired new pets and have gotten the same reaction - Thank you so very much! I can't go through it without a dry eye or a smile.



4. AS A DEVOTED PET OWNER, MY BELOVED DOG "LEXIE" IS ONE OF THE FAMILY,BUT ALSO MY FAITHFUL, DEVOTED FRIEND AS WELL. I ENJOYED THIS BOOK VERY MUCH AND SO WILL ANYONE WHO READS IT. EVERY PET OWNER HAS A SPECIAL PLACE IN THEIR HEART FOR THEIR OWN PET,AND THIS BOOK WILL CAPTURE YOURS AS WELL. IT'S GOOD READING FOR YOUR SOUL!



5. This is a great book for so many reasons! I bought this as a gift for someone and thought about keeping it for myself. It has wonderful little poems throughout. There is a whole section on the death of a pet as well containing poems, eulogies, and songs. A great book for anyone who has a special pet:)

5 comments about Ninety-Nine Newfies.

1. I ordered this book since I was soon to get a newfie pup. I am so glad I did. The book is filled with 99 different stories about 99 newfies. They are short reads that touch your heart. I just have to share the stories with whoever is around while I am reading it! It is a fun and inspiring book. Although there are no pictures ( I like to see photos of the dogs) it is still an excellent book.



2. This book is for anyone who's ever wanted a newfoundland dog! Know what your up against BEFORE you welcome one of these drool slinging, fur dropping, vacumn killing puppers into your life! 'Cause once you do, your done. Your life will no longer be your own, neither will your bank account, house, or anything else you used to hold in high esteem . This book will show you the ups and downs, the laughter and tears, and frighteningly, how much smarter they are than us!
   Read this book to understand you are getting so much more than a "dog". You are getting a human in a dog suit, in other words a Newfoundland!



3. This book shows the true sides - all the wonderful traits that we grow to love. Including the stuff only a Newfie "parent" can appreciate!

   Of course, with 4 of the stories being about my "grandpuppies", I had to have it on my bookshelf!




4. This is a must have for any owner or wanna-be owner of a Newf (or any dog for that matter)! Through the eyes of many different people you can pull together a true picture of what life with a Newfie can be, from the good to the sad to the ridiculous. The varying perspectives come together to show what wonderful, loyal, loving furballs these `Gentle Giants' are and how much they can add to your life. In addition, 90% of the profits made on this book are going to the Newfoundland Health Challenge for scientific research to benefit this beautiful breed. You'll laugh, you'll cry and you'll want to hug a Newfie! Congratulations and thank you Pat for putting it all together :)



5. While readers of this book will enjoy the benefits of generous doses of laughter (and sometimes tears), Newfoundland dogs everywhere will benefit from the purchase of "Ninety-Nine Newfies." The author, Pat Seawell, is generously donating 90% of the book's profits to the Newfoundland Health Challenge, a trust run by the Newfoundland Club of America, which funds scientific research into Newfie health problems. So buy the book to bring joy to yourself and to bring improved health to our Newfoundland friends.

5 comments about Dogs I Have Met: And the People They Found.

1. Ken's stories remind me of Dr. James Herriot's awesome tales about his life as a country vet in Britain. (All Creatures Great and Small, and others)
   
   Ken's books are also heartwarming and for anyone who loves animals.



2. Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RIJ2ZYSOJDATB This isn't really a review, it's just the only way I could find to share this great video that was created at a party I had for the release of Dogs I Have Met. Among the many dogs who attended: Trap Jack and Dag, both of whom are featured in the book.



3. and an American Pit Bull Terrier lover in particular, I have a special place in my heart for Ken Foster and his experiences. He is not afraid to stand up for what he believes and take corrective action for injustices he observes. He is a patriot for the APBT breed. This book is very well written and brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. Bravo, Ken!



4. Ken Foster has again produced an entertaining look at the people he has encountered in his interesting dog-filled life. His writing style is unique and one to be emulated. The small volume is a quick read. American Pit bulls have a great advocate in him as he gently but forcefully defends them.



5. I truly appreciated this book specifically because of the strong focus on decriminalizing the american pit bull breed. It is so sad that this wonderful, loving breed of dog has been so persecuted due solely to the inhumanity of humans. Dogs are one of God's greatest creations, and humans have exploited, abused, and mistreated them to such unbelieveable levels. Thanks to the author for his wonderul work. It is a short easy read, but shares valuable insight.

4 comments about All My Relations: Living with Animals As Teachers and Healers.

1. Ms McElroy's books are ever a delight to read. I spent a lot of time with tissue close at hand during this one. The stories are enlightening and often reminded me of lessons that I had, or perhaps had not, learned from the animals in my own life.
   The stories are not always cheerful, but they are thought-provoking if you see animals as more than property. Her story on the spiders in particular has made me take a different look at the creepy-crawly things that live in my house, which I'm sure they appreciate.



2. This is truly a warm, thoughtful, intelligent book filled with new insight and ideas to creatively enhance minds, souls, and works with animals and nature. Anyone who has a yearning to feel a deeper connection with animals or nature needs to read this book. Susan not only shares gifts of animals, but truly delves deeply into our relations with all of God's creation. It is one of the most important books I have read. I was profoundly moved.
   Bonnie Hess



3. Susan Chernak McElroy's fourth book, All My Relations, is an excellent contribution to deepening our understanding of human relationships with animals. Having read her previous books and attended a few of her presentations, I realize that she may be one of the most original and insightful observers and storytellers of human - animal relationships in a generation. Her stories tell of a powerful and mystical oneness that not only she experiences with animals and other creatures, but of a level of understanding and experience that are available to us all if we are willing to embrace a different way of being with Nature. The exercises she offers at the end of each story are simple yet valuable pathways to reach and experience this deeper level. I highly recommend All My Relations not just to those persons with animals, but to all people, and the sooner in life - the better, such as for school english and literature classes. Perhaps it is not too late for the current generations of adults to be empowered to achieve a paradigm shift in the way we view and behave concerning all of our relations in Nature. Susan Chernak McElroy's book can serve as an instrument for achieving this paradigm shift.



4. I am not a writer, but if I could write about my feelings toward animals this is the book I would write. The book helped me write my own thoughts with guidance at the end of each chapter.

4 comments about Not Forgotten.

1. I received more comfort from the "Rainbow Bridge" poem than from this book. Some of the illustrations look like they were cut and pasted from a child's book and the verbiage was not all that comforting.



2. I cry every single time I read this book, probably because I'm still mourning the loss of my dog this past December. The book speaks from the perspective of the animal - saying the things that I would most like to hear if it were possible. It's comforting for someone having a hard time coping with a loss that not everyone can fully understand. Now when someone in my life loses a pet, I know just what gift to pass on to them during the difficult time. I only wish I had found it 2 months ago!



3. This book written by Alexandra Day touches your heart and soul. I believe, as she believes, that our animals are always with us in spirit. Great love like that lives on forever. And yes, we will all be together someday again. When it is our time to pass over, our animals will be with us. I have given "Not Forgotten" to many friends who have lost their precious companions. Every person who received it loved this book. All I can say is, thank you Alexandra, for your heart full of love.



4. Somewhat overwhelmed by the intensity of the pain I was experiencing, I happened across "Not Forgotten" in a local book store the day after I had to have my 14 year old "puppy" put to sleep, and with it's wonderful, comforting sentiment the book was the perfect random find I desperately needed on that very dark day.
   
   Much like a children's book and only 24 pages long, the warmly done water color illustrations we're perfectly matched to the elegant, simple text, the combination of which gave me hope when I felt hopeless, and release when I couldn't fathom the depth of my sadness, much less that it might ever be eased. The book should be a great comfort for pet owners of all kinds who are suffering, confused and possibly alone with the feelings of loss only we as pet owners can fully understand.
   
   "Not Forgotten" was so beautifully done that I bought this copy as a gift for a close friend who had just suffered a similar loss, and they, too, were deeply touched by it, deriving as much comfort as is possible from a book at such a broken hearted time. In the future I won't hesitate to give it to others similarly wounded and in need of hope.
   
   I had known for almost a year that the eventual and inevitable death of my long time best friend and "girly girl" would be difficult, but even I was surprised at just how difficult it was. Thanks to it's message of hope at just the right time "Not Forgotten" now sits on our shelf as part of the family memorial to our "dog of a lifetime", next to her picture, her collar and her ashes.
   
   Thank you, Alexandra Day.

5 comments about Protect Your Pet: More Shocking Facts.

1. I purchased this book before I got my 2nd Australian Shepherd puppy. I wanted to do "everything" right for her. This book has really made me think about the food my pets eat and also about their vaccinations.
   
   I suggest that every person who owns and cares about their pets to read this book. Either you agree with what she says or you dont, but Ann (the author) does have a lot of people backing her opinions up. She has ALL of their names/contact info in the back of her book for references. You just cant doubt what she says by the way she documents herself.
   
   I even purchased this book for Christmas gifts this year for 2 of my family members.
   
   BUY IT!



2. Ann Martin is to be commended for her thorough research on pet foods, raw meat diets and vaccinations.
   
   Several people on these reviews have criticized Martin for her stance on raw meat and bones. However, I am convinced by Martin's research that raw meat and bones are risky, and her findings on a percentage basis of what can go wrong is enough to sway me.
   
   The most persisent claim made by raw-dieters is that dogs need to be given foods which mimic those of the wild. Puleeze. There are wolves and coyotes and now dogs. Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years now, a home animal. They are no longer natural predators. Though evolution is slow enough to have left dogs' teeth and bone physiology intact, they are not predatory animals any longer. Being domesticated, they are dependent upon humans for their food. You send a domesticated dog out into the wild to hunt down its food and it won't do it. The instincts are not there any more. Dogs are totally dependent upon man to feed them. You can be sure that the man of the family did not share the prime cuts of a kill to a domesticated animal. When an animal was slaughtered or hunted, absolutely no part of that animal was wasted. Feathers, fur were used for bedding, clothing, trading. All the meat, organ meats, bones were used in cauldrons, smoking, seasoning, and for bone broths. One cannot think that a dog would be given precedence over its family; food was too hard to come by, too precious for preferential treatment given an animal, no matter how valuable it was to the family. Dogs, as a matter of fact, became almost exclusively pet-companion animals only in the 20th century. Prior to that, a dog was often used to guard a home or for herding, hunting. It was never sent out into the wild to get its own food. The most logical way a dog was fed was its humans' daily leftover - table scraps if you will. I believe that dogs were slopped as pigs were - given all the remains of the daily rations. It could include bits of bread, cooked grains, meat, cultured dairy, milk, eggs and their shells, vegetable remains and greens. It is highly improbable that people a long time ago cooked for or even minded the "special needs" of a dog the way people do today.
   Unfortunately, even fresh food scraps have given way to kibble for dogs in the last 50-60 years, which is not even close to being nutritious.
   I laud Ann Martin for taking a common sense, practical approach to pet diets. I know the way I will go: variety is the sure key here.



3. Martin's first book, "Food Pets Die For," is extremely useful if you really want to know what you're feeding your pet with those cheap commercial dog foods and how it may affect them negatively. (Some people may _not_ want to know, although you owe it to your companion animal(s) to find out.) This book, however, was disappointing. Much of it was common sense or, at least, common knowledge for anyone who has cared for animals and made any attempt to learn anything about their health (e.g., anti-freeze is bad, chocolate is bad, onion is bad). This book was repetitive and dull. I'd strongly recommend the first book, but skip this one unless you are just getting your first companion animal and/or don't know much about everyday dangers.



4. While this book certainly has its information pros regarding the disgusting secrets kept by commercial pet food companies, it appears to disagree with the idea that a raw food diet is healthy. I could not disagree more, and here's why... I have been working in animal nutrition as a pet chef for quite some time, dabbling in several areas of nutrition from standard commercial diets to cooked/raw food diets, and the fact is that commercial pet food is just plain harmful. Let me ask you this? Just because the grocery store sells pork rinds, does that mean they are good for you? NO! So why feed your pet anything that isn't something you yourself would EVER dream of eating? When America can pour a bowl of kibble for breakfast and come out looking and feeling the picture of health, then maybe I will change my tune. Until then, I choose to not only advise EVERYONE to feed a raw and/or cooked diet, I also feed my eight cats a total raw food diet. When I changed their diet, their world became a brighter place. No dandruff, no vomiting, no loose stool, brighter eyes, a full and sleek coat, better dental health, more restful sleep... etc. In addition, I recommend reading Anitra Fraizer's "The New Natural Cat" as well as the CatNutrition.Org website. Happy Reading!



5. This is by far one of the best books I have ever read on the subject of pet food. Anybody who has a companion animal in their life should read this book.
   
   Ann Martin starts off the book explaining what has led her to doing this investigation and the many years of research that led up to writing this book--and also her first book, "Food Pets Die For". From page one, Ms. Martin makes a credible argument about why people should know more about this topic. Throughout this book, Ms. Martin writes about the past 12 years of research that included interviewing different organizations and people about the topic of pet food. She goes into great detail about her different request to both the US and Canadian governments and pet food industry groups to get more information. Most of these requests end up as dead ends. From here, Ms. Martin does her own research by starting with veterinarian clinics, hospitals and kill shelters asking the simple question of "where do these euthanized animals go from here...?" When she gets that answer, she goes to that source and asks the same questions. In all cases, the trail goes to pet food and livestock food manufacturers.
   
   I already knew the main ingredients of kibble when I borrowed this book from my library. I was more interested in learning more about the BARF (bones and raw food) diet. From the other reviews on this book, I thought that Ann Martin would provide a non-biased viewpoint on this topic--as it seems that most people are very divided on the subject of BARF diets. Even though my interest was primarily on BARF diets and even though I already knew what pet food is made from, it was good to read about one person's investigative experience that spanned over 12 years.
   
   I also read "Food Pets Die For". Between these two books, I preferred this book because of the new information on the BARF diet, vaccinations, puppy mills and the animal fur business. I had also already done a considerable amount of research on these topics as well and I found Ms. Martin's information to be in line with everything I already knew about these industries.
   
   Our beloved 13 year old Chihuahua, Yoda passed away about two weeks ago at UC Davis Veterinary Hospital. When deciding what to do with his remains, we discussed the options with the Hospital staff. We were given the option of letting the hospital "handle his remains". I then ask how they "handle" the remains. I was told that "Yoda would be sent to a rendering plant, where he undergoes a 'chemical process' and then sent to a landfill for burial". The hospital staff worker went on to explain that we could be assured that "...Yoda certainly would not end up as pet food, as this is an urban legend." The next day, I did a quick google search on "rendered dog landfill California". The first link that popped up was a report in PDF format from Los Angeles County. Here is the first paragraph from this report: What happens to the bodies of animals that are euthanized at County shelters? Deceased animals are picked up by D&D Disposal, also known as West Coast Rendering, located in Vernon, Calif. The remains are rendered into animal by-products. D&D processes hundreds of tons of animal carcasses, tissues and by-products that would otherwise end up in landfills. Here's a link to that report: http://animalcontrol.co.la.ca.us/html/pages/for%20the%20record/Rendering%20and%20food%20&%20Ag%20Report%20.pdf . Ironically, Ms. Martin uncovers the same facts about this company, D&D Disposal (AKA West Coast Rendering, located in Vernon, Calif.)
   
   It frightens me that such a respected place like UC Davis Veterinary Teaching Hospital is so misinformed.
   
   Another interesting point made in this book that I can also confirm from personal experience. Ms. Martin has found that in most cases, veterinarians acquire knowledge about animal nutrition from "nutritional information" provided by Hill's Company--a well known pet food company. During Yoda's first visit at UC Davis in October 2005, the doctor sent us home with a WHOLE CASE of Hill's canned dog food and instructed us to feed Yoda this instead of the home-cooked diet he was on.
   
   I applaud Ann N. Martin on this very important investigative research and I appreciate that she has made this information available to anyone who is interested in knowing more about what we are feeding the furry members of their family.

5 comments about My Life with George: What I Learned About Joy From One Neurotic (and Very Expensive) Dog.

1. This story, for the likes of myself, a truly passionate Cavvie owner, is so 'familiar' and yet continually enlightening and heartwarming. This little guy is not an easy subject as he gets himself into so many scrapes over the years, and I found myself regretting reaching the end of the story, wondering what else happened to him afterwards. There is something so special about this breed (not half biased!) that I feel just about any Cavvie lover and owner could write a beatiful story about their own little 'friend' and we would all love reading every page. George's mum has endeared him to so many even that I know of myself who have been so keen to get hold of this book. He's a real winner! Love you George!



2. This book is a must-read for any and all dog lovers.Some of the other reviewers thought that George,the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel,was not in enough.It is true that there are some chapters that he is not in.Many people compared this book with Marley & Me:Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog,and they said that it is better than My Life with George because Marley was in more than George,but Marley was not in some chapters,too.They are both great books.Please come to the Discussions to talk about dogs.Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog



3. I enjoyed this book. The best part of this book is with George (dog) and Monster Mog (cat). I really only connected with Judith in this book but I really enjoyed her a lot. It was a quick, fun read.
   
   --Gerard Zemek, husband of author of "My Funny Dad, Harry"



4. I thought this book was written about my Cavalier who is named "Georgiegurl". I could not put the book down after reading the first few pages and then never wanted it to end. I laughed, cried and most of all, loved every real description of the Cavaliers quirky and captivating ways. It would make a great movie. I have purchased it for my dog friends and they experienced the same. Great read.
   M.L.



5. 
   The book makes for not just a good laugh, but cleverly interwoven into the story are little nuggets of useful information for any cavalier owner. For the non cavalier owner, an open and no holds barred look at life and what shades it can assume after the passing of a loved one. Wittily written and thoughtfully provocative in terms of how life goes on.