5 comments about Australian Shepherds (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

1. This book was amazing for people thinking about getting an Australian Shepherd or for those already with an Aussie. I found this book to be very detailed and full of really usful information in an easy to read and understand way. My husband and I both read the book and we think it helped us to understand our puppy better and better train/raise her.



2. Has all the basic information you need to know about the breed. Very good book for the price.



3. I've bought several Aussie books and this one is definately the quickest and most efficient read. For the price, I'd say its the best one available. It's written so everyone can understand and easily find what they're looking for



4. The same information is available in most books about dogs. I was hoping this books would be more specific. The pictures are helpful because Aussies come in such a wide variety of colors.



5. This is an outstanding book that is chock-full of information and easy to read. It's easily worth 2 or 3 times what it's selling for. A must-have for anyone who owns (or is thinking about owning) an Aussie!

5 comments about Dachshunds For Dummies (For Dummies (Pets)).

1. This was a cute book, but not very helpful. I didn't find anything too dachsund specific on here that I hadn't already read on the internet. Most of the content could relate to any breed. Too bad.



2. I learnt alot about my puppy through reading this book. But I still feel there is a lot more to learn as she grows up and I don't think any book can do that .



3. This is an excellent choice for the first time Dachsy owner as well as a veteran owner. Lots of good information and tips on how to make life easier with your Dachshund. One of the best books I have read on the subject.



4. Not very helpful. Could be talking about any dog. Recipes in the back of the book are dangerous for dogs. Some of the ingredients are toxic to dogs and could make them sick or kill them. Not happy about that. This book should know helpful and healthy lifestyles for animals. This is the second dog for dummies book I've bought. Won't buy any more.



5. Bought for a friend with a new Dachyl - she loves both!

5 comments about Woman's Best Friend: Women Writers on the Dogs in Their Lives.

1. Woman?? ha ha ha. I thought woman's best friends were......??? MEN! Read this book written by woman~! IT is funny indeed. This book totally twist things around and forcefully put it into an woman's wants and needs, controlling and demanding from Men's best friend. Dog (Canine). :-( I wish this book was about Cat (feline) for woman........would have done a better JOB.



2. These short stories cover about as much doggy-owner ground as you could hope for. Know up front that you won't love them all equally, and that some of them will seem repeats (a lot like the other owners at the dog park on a Saturday afternoon, really). Judgemental types like me might grind their teeth at some of these owner's behaviors/irresponsibilities, but you'll find yourself somewhere in this book. You'll giggle, you'll cry, you'll finish and think -- "hey, I should write a story about my dog".



3. I enjoyed this book a lot since it was written by women writers. Also, each of the writers had very different stories so I did not feel like I was reading the same story from chapter to chapter. As another reviewer stated, I also appreciated the fact that these stories were not overly sappy. Although I did appreciate that the stories definitely seemed true, I was shocked that one writer actually admitted to beating her dog, following her sister's advice. In the same realm, although I appreciated the writer's honesty, I could not believe that a writer actually wrote that she did not miss her dog once it passed away. I just did not feel that these stories should have been included in a book titled "Woman's Best Friend". Otherwise, I enjoyed the book very much and would have given it 5 stars.



4. This is such a great book I read It in one day because I could not put it down!!! The stories are funny,sad,sweet and cover just about every emotion. I loved it and would highly recommend it if you love books about dogs !!!



5. The best part of this book was honestly the cover. The content inside was pretty good but not fabulous. There was one story, I admit, that almost brought me to tears, but other than that, it wasn't what I would call great literature. Others might like it more, maybe it's just me.

5 comments about The Original Dog Bible: The Definitive Source to All Things Dog.

1. The book has a lot of good information. It has proved in a short time to be a valuable resource with us since we are raising and training dogs. It is easy to read. I would recommend this book to anyone who has dogs and wants to be a good dog-parent.



2. I checked this book out in a pet supply store once, and was rather disappointed to find that so many of the rare breeds were left out in the dog breeds section - including my personal favorite (Spanish Mastiff).
   
   Basically,, this maybe be the ultimate guide for those wanting to read up more on dog care, training, health, and all that... but when it comes to covering info/pics on the MANY breeds of dogs there are out there (known and unknown) - one needs to look elsewhere.. I recommend "The Canine Lexicon" (by by Andrew De Prisco, James B. Johnson, and Isabelle Francais) and "The Atlas of Dog Breeds of the World" (by Bonnie Wilcox and Chris Walkowicz) for that aspect.



3. This book is a excellent souce of information about our canine friends. If you love dogs, and need information regarding their health, and their care, then this a book for you. It has a wealth of "how to's" about everything for our pets.
   I recommend this book highly!!



4. Whether you own a pure-bred dog, a designer breed, or a rescued pooch this book is for you.
   
   An encyclopedic resource on all things dog; everything from training and behavior tips, over 50 fun activities to enjoy with your dog, grooming helps, over 100 health remedies, pages of emergency solutions, and 50 career profiles with dogs.
   
   There are profiles of over 250 breeds from every place imaginable; from the USA to Burkina Faso. Big dogs, small dogs, hunting, herding, feral, lap, working, show, and companion dogs. They are all in this book.
   
   I've spent hours just leafing through this book a page at a time marveling at the wonders of this creation of God; the diversity of breeds, and their characteristics.
   
   The Dog Bible will bring hours of enjoyment and is highly recommended to the dog lover, and dog owner.



5. This is the worst dog book I have ever owned. I've been breeding and showing dogs for 20 years. I picked this book up and thought it might make a good general reference book. I was so disappointed when I got home. I felt like half of the material in it came directly from the Humane Society's web site. Much of the information in the book, which should be factual, is half-researched opinion. I can find better information than this on the Internet. The book hasn't been particularly well proofed or edited, either. Very disappointed.

5 comments about Living With a Deaf Dog: A Book of Advice, Facts and Experiences About Canine Deafness.

1. I was recently found out that my great dane has extreme hearing difficulties and will more than likely be totally deaf within a year. I looked for books regarding deaf dogs. There were not many out there. I purchased this book and it was a wonderful beginning. I have gone on to purchase a pocket dictionary of signing and am working my own signs in with my dog. I recommend anyone who is just starting out working with a deaf dog to read this book.



2. The book was helpful and offered suggestions that I didn't think of. It was nice to hear someone's perspective on the matter.



3. I was freaking out when I found out my new baby(pup) is deaf. "Living With a Deaf Dog" was a life saver. I felt so more at ease after reading the first few pages. I also had family and friends that interact with Kiko read it. Kiko was my wild child and is now on her way to being a well behaved adult.



4. This book tremendously helped me understand my 3 yr. old deaf dog, Patch so much better. I didn't understand some of his behaviors and I could not find helpful books at the library. From the author's stories, tips, and advice, I have a much better understanding of what he goes through and why he exhibits some behaviors. I've had him for a year with trial especially with walking him. Since I've read this book, he and I have a much better understanding of each other. He is so willing to learn, the tips the author gave proved to be so useful! Great book! Thank you!



5. This book truelly provides an insight into deaf dogs and ways to assist ones communication problems. At last I have found a book that shares my awareness and provides deaf dogs with a chance in life for survival.

3 comments about Walking Ollie: Or, Winning the Love of a Difficult Dog.

1. This is another dog rescue biography (I suppose the dog equivalent is caninography?) that has the novelty of being set in the UK and involving a particularly British combination - a saluki lurcher cross that one doesn't come across much in the U.S. Part of the book's interest, then, is that it discusses the whole getting a dog from a shelter and rehabilitating it in a Brit setting.
   
   Truthfully, there's not a great deal to interest one other than that in the content, because, plotwise, not much happens. The author principally relates his trials and troubles acquiring and then walking his dog. Though the author claims to be a pro writer, the book rambles. It doesn't have much structure. As for the characterization, the dog remains something of an enigma even to the book's relatively uneventful conclusion.
   
   The book has a few moments of entertainment and humor, but not many. A lot of it is taken up by this first time dog owner relating in a partially astounded, partially complaining tone about how his schedule has been disrupted by all this dog walking and pooper scooping. I suppose it's not a bad idea for a newbie owner to relate to the equally clueless the work involved in dog ownership.
   
   There's somewhat proportionally less of the book relating various fitful attempts to turn around this fearful dog. Ollie the dog fears most men, including his new owner. So the story is supposed to be how the dog slowly - very slowly - moves past that and what the author did or didn't do to make it happen.
   
   Part of my issue with the book was that the writing style mirrored the dogs equally unimpressive and fitful progress. And no particular sense went into getting the dog past his issues. It's pretty common in shelters to "office foster" a particularly shy dog, to get him used to people. But though the author works at home (a perfect setting for letting the dog learn to relax in your presence and look forward to frequently thrown treats) the dog stays on one floor, and the author on another, to which the owner periodically decends and invades into the dog's room to throw treats, with the result that the dog, instead of relaxing from a constant presence, gets even more nervy by the author popping in on him. And even in the 80s the Monks of New Skete talked about the advantages of having your dog sleep in your presense to get used to you and relax, and the benefits of binding or later, crate training. But none of this was done with Ollie. So he seems to make much slower progress than he might have. Keeping the dog with him, crating him at night (because the author relates his frustration that Ollie is not housetrained to last the night) would have perhaps brought Ollie around a lot quicker and eliminated at least half of the author's complaints about nighttime incontinence and that the dog grew no better or even more fearful of him during his pop in and throw treats schedule.
   
   The rest of the complaints deal with his frustrations in "walking Ollie". I couldn't help but wince every time the dog (running off leash close to traffic) comes in near contact with a car, or the repetitive tales of how the owner just lets the dog run wild to rough house with other dogs (whether the canine targets appreciate it or not). The author's disparaging comments re those owners that responsibly keep their dogs on leashes contrast with his frustration and despair over his attempts to recollar his dog at the end of these walks or just when he's attempting to prevent it from harassing humans (such as when it disrupts a riverbank full of men attempting to hold a fishing competition) or pull it off some other dog that may not appreciate its rough play. The reader quickly gets that the dog is impossible to control off leash. That the author hasn't attempted to gain control prior to taking him off leash. We come to understand that the author (as well as the dogs victims) find Ollie's off leash behavior very frustrating. But what is difficult to understand is why the author keeps letting him loose. The author claims he wants the dog to run free and play with his kind. I have to admit I'm not one to much appreciate the idea of the impotent owner and the out of control dog repeatedly (daily or more often) being inflicted upon the neighborhood. How about exhausting the dog jogging with it for an hour, and then keeping it on a flexilead until it you meet up with a fellow dog owner whose dog appreciates being slammed? It just seems like a little control or attempt at trying such would have gone some toward relieving the idea that the owner was pretty pretty irresonsible and somewhat of a neighborhood nuisance to boot.
   
   The author and his dog do find their way to eachother after predictable events unwind, and you are glad for them. They've been through enough to get there. And you're glad the author hung in there since he did find it all so frustrating. But both author and dog stumble around in such a clueless, anxious (both dog and human) and frustrating way to get to that reconcilation, that while you're glad of it, it seems like there would have been numerous ways to make it far more easier and far less stressful and dangerous for all involved. Of course, that would have eliminated half the content of the book.
   
   It's not a bad book. It's just not a great one. I didn't find it very heart warming nor inspiring. It's not amusing. Nor does it have any good advice or tips for the novice with a similarly troubled dog. You finish it with a sort of a nod - another rescue story: clueless owner, difficult dog made more difficult by clueless owner. It was more interesting for me due to the Brit background and the fact that it was a lurcher dog. We also had a rescue lurcher, another very difficult dog, whom we picked up off the I-95 with a dislocated hip after it was thrown out of a car. Like ollie, it had also been abused based on it's temperament -- a fear biter. He lived to the ripe age of 17, but like Ollie's owner, the journey wasn't all peaches and cream. One good thing about all these dogographies is the truism that misery loves company, and drives book sales. People who work with difficult dogs like to read they're not in it alone. And we're already interested in reading out how someone else did it, to pick up any tips, or laugh, or commiserate. This book was a little thin in some departments.
   
   In conclusion, rehabbing any difficult dog is no picnic. And while all such tales are essentially the same, they're also interesting to read for those who have interest in that activity, both for the circumstances and the dog portraints. For the general population, I'd gues there's not enough of a story here to make this worth the purchase.
   
   This book's main flaw to me was that the author's complaints through 3/4 of the book tend to be wearing even though you acknowledge he is doing pretty well to hang in there with Ollie. The ending is a happy one, though. With that, and points for the novelty of the setting and dog, and seeing how these things may be handled across the pond, I'll give it a (generous) three stars.



2. Yet another "My dog was unruly so I had to write a book about him" tome. The fad of writing books about unremarkable dogs acting like dogs is getting really old. This is standard stuff and not book-worthy.



3. This charming book is for dog lovers and people lovers. It's sensitive, funny and sweet. It's an honest look at how we humans make human assumptions and how our dogs show us time and again that they are dogs who have, for whatever reason, their own way of dealing with and getting through life. You'll enjoy this book and will probably learn something about yourself and your dog.

5 comments about Draw 50 Dogs (Draw 50).

1. I bought this book hoping there would be a picture of a weim or a similar breed. I got lucky, there is a weim! It does look incredibly easy to follow, but I know what dog lovers want to know: is MY breed in there? so here's a list:
   
   The book is divided into "groups". The Hound group has Afghan, Basenji (sitting), Basset, Beagle, Black & Tan, Bloodhound (sitting), Borzoi, Dachshund (smooth), Greyhound (running), Irish Wolfhound (running). The Terrier group has Airedale, Bedlington, Bull Terrier, Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, Wire Fox, Kerry Blue, Scottish, Sealyham & a Westie (sitting). The Working group is actually the CKC working & herding combined, and has Malamute, Boxer (running), Rough Collie (running), Doberman (play bow), GSD (head shot), Great Dane, Mastiff, OES, Corgi (Pembroke), St. Bernard (lying down), Samoyed, Sheltie, Standard Schnauzer. The Sporting has Cocker (looks like American, is "sitting pretty"), English Setter (head shot), Golden Retriever, Irish Setter, Pointer, Weim. The Irish, Pointer & Weim are on point. The Non-sporting includes the Toy breeds: Bichon, Boster Terrier, Bulldog, Chow, Dalmatian (sitting), Lhasa Apso, Standard Poodle (continental cut I think), Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Pug, Yorkie. All the breeds which can have cropped or natural ears have cropped ears in these drawings.



2. This was the ideal book for me! Thanks to this book, I can draw better than I ever imagined possible!
   
   Ames' provides good, clear instructions. Beagles, basenjis, bulldogs and Germans shepherds are fun to draw. Any dog with a curly tail is fun to draw. Readers are also treated to a brief history of each breed on the bottom of each page.
   
   Now, I wish there was a book (or maybe there is and I just don't know about them) of drawing classic cars. How to draw a 1964 Ford Falcon - how cool is that!



3. I must admit that for me it takes a bit of work to draw realistic and 3 dimensional pictures. But using the 'Draw 50' books are so very, very easy to use! Lee J. Ames's drawing method is simple with the step-by-step instructions which are easy to follow. For kids 9 and older, "Draw 50 Dogs" by Lee J. Ames is great for drawing in your scrapbook, onto your notebooks, on cards, etc.

   As the title says, this book includes instructions to draw 50 dogs; all of the 50 are different breeds and types. For me I love the portraits though I also love to draw dogs running or posing. My favorite pictures to draw are most probably the 'Irish Wolfhound', 'Cairn Terrier', 'German Shepherd Dog', 'Cocker Spaniel', and 'English Setter'. The book has another nice touch which is at the bottom of each drawing, there is some information on that dog including a brief history of the breed, average weight and height of the dog, and coat and color of the dog. Extremely helpful especially if you are thinking of coloring your drawing afterwards or would like to know how big to draw the dog when putting it in a background. My only complaint that there isn't a picture of a papillon to draw which I would like to (the reason? I have a papillon for a pet!).

   Of course all of the "Draw 50" series are great, be sure to check them all out! The books I want are "Draw 50 Athletes", "Draw 50 Cats", "Draw 50 Cars, Trucks, and Motorcycles", and "Draw 50 Famous Faces".




4. I agree with the other reviews,this is a great book in the series. If you have an interest in drawing or know someone who does,you'll find these books to be very useful. My daughter had brought some home from the library & asked for me to buy them.They go step by step with you,in no time you'll have a wonderful picture!



5. This wonderful step-by-step drawing book has great illustrations like the Yorkshire terrier(My favourite). Lee J. Ames, author, is very kind as I had e-mailed him many times. Hope you like this book too...

5 comments about The Dog Bible: Everything Your Dog Wants You to Know.

1. We love this book! It is truly a necessary resource book for everything dog. It should be given to everyone who is a dog owner or is thinking of becoming one. Easy to read and understand, too. I gave a copy to my petsitter and she is recommending it to all of her clients as well. Great book!!!



2. As a child, I grew up in a household that always had dogs. However, growing up with dogs and having one of your own is a completely different story! After recently getting a puppy, I found I was calling home almost every day with questions for my parents about my pup's progression until I heard about this book. The Dog Bible is fantastic!! It has solutions or recommendations for almost any dog related question you can throw at it. I've been pleasantly surprised that whenever I've gone seeking an answer, the book has magically had it- it's like it reads my mind! While I was skeptical at first, as most dog books tend to be for the uber-beginner, this book is written with even an experienced handler in mind. It has great advice for both city and dogs that live in the suburbs. All in all, this is must-have for any one with a dog!



3. This book does truly have answers to practically every conceivable question you could have about your dog. It has been a great help for us. We have two dogs, love both dearly, and so this book helps alleviate a lot of concern that we might have about what to do for or with our dogs under every circumstance immaginable. It is an indespensible tool for the dog lover/owner!



4. This is a wonderful book for dog owners. It is chockful of practical advice from nutrition, health, training...basically every aspect of dog owner ship.
   
   And her radio show DOgtalkthe radio show on wliu and on podcast truly rocks.



5. I LOVE the Dog Bible. It actually is a means to calm down, get control of our human emotions and realize that the stress we are feeling is normal; that our pets are our kids; that we need to love them & realize that WE must learn to communicate BETTER. Bless the author for this fabulous insight into man's best friend.

5 comments about Rich Mullins: An Arrow Pointing to Heaven.

1. Rich's life was like my life, and finding someone who was like me, a ragamuffin, was an indescribable comfort on a lonely path from helpless addiction to freedom. Note: I am still on that path today. One day I will be able to thank Rich in person for what a gift his life was to so many of us. This book is a testament to that life. It is a treasure.



2. Being a long time Rich Mullins fan, I wanted anything and everything Rich Mullins I could get my hands on. This book, "An Arrow", by James Bryan Smith, gave me a whole side of Rich Mullins I never knew. But even more importantly than the man himself, this book points to a deeper walk with Jesus, and the struggles involved in obtaining that walk. This book is so inspirational. I've read it twice, and am now reading it a third time. I bought an extra copy to give away.



3. I was not able to put down the book until I finished it.
   
   The reading I'd done on Rich Mullins previously taught me that he was an incredible person, but the book confirmed his devotion to Jesus Christ as well as his struggles to live faithfully. I was encouraged, amused, saddened, yet most of all inspired to keep contending for the faith.
   
   The author's friendship with Rich Mullins came through - I only wish that it went into more detail and told me more.
   
   I loaned the book to a friend, also a fan of Rich Mullins, and she said that it encouraged her greatly.



4. i highly recommend it to anyone whether your a fan of rich mullins music or just a christian who longs to have a deeper walk with God. Great book, inspiring, not shallow, deep, thought provoking, convicting. trust me if you ever buy a book buy this one. . you wont regret it.



5. The Book Arrow Pointing to Heaven is the most inspiring book I have ever read. I could not help but write "Amen," "Praise the Lord," "I need to read this again" or some other comment in the margins as I read the book. Having known Rich Mullins briefly early in his musical career, I knew he was someone different, someone closer to God than I could imagine, yet I had no idea just how close to the Awesome God he really was. This book, so well written by Smith, is a must for anyone that believes in God. It will take you to really knowing God in much the same way as Rich Mullins knew HIM - intimately. Perfect gift for graduation presents. I have given several with notes made in the margins of the gift books. Thank you for having such an all-inspiring-book! It is a MUST for persons seeking a better relationship with God.

1 comments about Real Dogs Don't Eat Kibble! (Naturally Healthy Dog).

1. Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2DKPJ4JJFKWBV If you have a dog, you have heard about all the deaths of beloved pets and the recalls of pet food. You may be frightened about what to feed your dog. This book has your answer. never worry again whether what you are feeding your dog will kill her when you take the advice of Sandra Bailey in this book.
   Ronda Del Boccio, author of I'll Push, You Steer: The Definitive Guide to Stumbling Through Life with Blinders On
   I'll Push, You Steer: The Definitive Guide to Stumbling Through Life with Blinders On
   The Naturally Healthy Dog: Real Dogs Don't Eat Kibble! (Naturally Healthy Dog)