5 comments about Saying Goodbye to Buddy: When a Pet Dies.

1. "Saying Goodbye to Buddy" is a book that speaks directly and sensitively about the grieving process that children and adults face when their companion animals are ill and dying. Not only does it present the topic in a touching and compassionate manner, it also provides a workbook to help children express their feelings and to assist in their understand of the natural cycle of death and life. I recommend this book for all ages.



2. In "Saying Goodbye to Buddy", Jennifer Walz and Jinna Russell give parents a sensitive, imaginative, and yet common sense approach to what is most often a child's first experience with death. Attesting to the clarity and strength of this guide, the touching photographic illustrations alone could convey most of the message. Even so, their insight into how a child may show grief and how to use a journal-workbook to facilitate the process are essential for every parent.



3. While the book covers the aging, illness and death of Buddy, a beloved family pet, it goes far beyond by serving as a metaphor for the mortality that all pets and people on planet Earth must face. Children gain comfort from learning that the natural process of aging and death is simply a physical phenomenon. The concept that the spirit continues is presented in a way that all faiths can feel comfortable with. A fine book and genuine public service with beautiful photographs.



4. This book deals with the dying and grieving process involved in losing a pet. It is a good conversation starter for parents looking for ways to address the topic of death, dying and loss, not just for a family pet, but for other loved ones as well. It also a good book to acknowledge and affirm the importance of pets in a family's life. I would recommend it for children and adults as a compassionate and touching look at pet loss. The pictures are beautiful.



5. This is a sensitive book that is very helpful, especially for children dealing with the loss of a pet. In addition to the story, I liked the fact that there are "workbook" pages in the back to help in the grieving process and to provide a memorial to the pet. I definitely recommend the book.

1 comments about In Remembrance of a Special Cat: A Keepsake Memorial.

1. "In Remembrance of a Special Cat" is similar to a sympathy card in that it has poems and verse to help the recipient handle grief. I gave a copy to a friend whose pet died. A month later that friend showed me the book and the pictures of her cat, from kitty to maturity, that she had glued into the book on the pages reserved for photographs. My friend told me that, of all the words of condolence she had received from friends, that this little book was the most important.

5 comments about Paws of Wisdom: Valuable Lessons We Can Learn from Our Pets.

1. This is a delightful and uplifting book about the author's beautiful dog, Bunny, who suffered from Addison's disease but was very loved. The author shares lessons she learned from her special dog and matches them up with wise sayings or scripture. Each chapter is a new lesson and is followed by cute advice from Bunny as well as some checklists to help the reader apply the lesson (which I plan to go back and review). It's a cool book. Helpful information about Addison's disease and general dog care is given in Appendix 1 and 2 at the end of the book.



2. Sofia Steryo-Bartmus' "Paws of Wisdom" is both witty and sentimental as she explores not only the bond between pet and master, but the silent wisdom which can be attained from our pets if we dare to pay attention. Sofia's dog and main character, Bunny overcomes many health obstacles, and is still able to maintain her childish curiosity and zest for life, in addition to her compassion. It is clear that this unlikely hero of a dog is dearly loved. Bunny's impact on her masters is too obvious to be overlooked.
   This book is meant to be read slowly in order to truly appreciate what we can learn from other creatures if we take a moment to stop and see our lives through the clarity which comes from a pure heart.



3. I don't have any pets. Except for a gorilla--George--who is cuddly and stuffed. So I read Sofia's book with a bit of trepidation. But I've got to tell you, this is a book you'll fall in love with. And you'll fall in love with Bunny, too. After the first chapter I wanted to know more about Bunny. As I read the book, I felt I knew her. She became part of my family. The book is almost like a daily devotional. The chapters are short and to the point, each of them pointing out a challenge or word of inspiration we can use for that day--opportunities, empathy, consistency, forgiveness, fear, laughter, patience, listening, loving. Sofia has written her book from her point of view, looking at the world through the eyes of her pet. It's a great reminder how therapeutic a pet can be and how a pet can forge strong bonds of affection and wisdom with us humans. Even for a non-pet person, I found this a good book to curl up with and learn from.



4. Brought tears to my eyes...this beautiful, well-written book is all about love. I've often said that if humans acted more like animals the world would be a better place. This books helps prove that. As I was reading it, my cat sat purring on my lap, just happy to be w/ me making no demands. Wouldn't it be great if humans were all like that? An immensely enjoyable book w/ wonderful quotes & thought provoking wisdom from Bunny.



5. This is a delightfully written book by Sophia Steryo-Bartmus with intuitive insights into the lives and behaviors of pets. The author writes how humans can learn about life just by observing their pets. It's a book that is entertaining, touching and thought provoking. It is a self help book in that lessons about life can be learned. The words of wisdon written in PAWS OF WISDOM can guide the reader into living an enriched life.

5 comments about The Los Angeles River: Its Life, Death, and Possible Rebirth (Creating the North American Landscape).

1. Gumprecht's _Los Angeles River_ is a well-written history of the Los Angeles River, from Native American and Spanish/Mexican pueblo days to the present.
   
   Looking at the concrete-lined flood control channel that the LA River has become, it is hard to believe that the LA River once was the main water supply for the City of Los Angeles. As the city grew, though, its water needs outpaced what the river could supply. An alternate source (which turned out to be the infamous Aqueduct), was eventually developed. With all the Owens Valley water coming into the city, the river became simply a dumping ground for wastewater and other undesirable things.
   
   The LA River, more or less also determined the expansion of the city. Since farmers in the San Fernando Valley had no rights to the LA River water (it all belonged to the city), eventually, the San Fernando Valley had to join the City of Los Angeles to access any water.
   
   The river was also known for flooding and changing its course unpredictably. These floods became more and more of a concern as areas near the river developed, first with agriculture, later with residences. After a particularly devastating flood in 1934, officials called on the Army Corps of Engineers to help with flood control. This led to the concrete channelization of the river.
   
   After that, no one thought much of the river. Occasionally, the concrete channel inspired uses such as movie shoots and vehicular uses. It looked so much like a road, that several people proposed making the riverbed into a freeway.
   
   Meanwhile, the river was starting to get some attention. Lewis McAdams founded the Friends of the La River, which is trying to get the river restored to its natural state. They have run into opposition by the Army Corps of Engineers, and other parties concerned about flood control issues. The future of the river becoming more than it is now (a paved channel with a trickle of water in it most of the time) remains in question.
   
   The book started its life as a masters' thesis, but the prose is accessible, not overly academic. Recommended for anyone interested in the history of Los Angeles.



2. I first saw the Los Angeles River in TV shows and movies like Terminator 2 and have ever since been interested in learning more about this strange, concrete encased urban waterway. Blake Gumprecht's book does a great job of providing the history of the Los Angeles River from its pristine condition two centuries ago into the modern era as a "Freeway for Water" in the book "The Los Angeles River."
   
   The author balances his coverage of the river and fairly represents both sides of the struggle to restore it back to a more natural appearance versus the need to provide flood control protection with concrete fortifications.
   
   The book is extremely well researched and documented. Extensive maps and photos shed light on the topic and make the historical changes easier to follow.
   
   My only wish is that a future edition will include color photos.



3. Reading this book was an assignement for a geography course I was taking in college. My first thoughts were "A book on the L.A. River? How can they write an entire book on a river that flows a couple of days per year?" My indifference to the subject was quickly dismissed after the first few pages. This book is very insightful! It gives a detailed history on L.A., from it's foundation as a tiny pueblo to the sprawling metropolis it is today, with the river & water in Southern California being the central themes. I always wondered why L.A. was built in the area it's in & Mr. Gumprecht answers that in fine detail along with many other interesting facts regarding the annexation of neighboring cities, water rights, deadly floods and ultimately the concrete channel built to contain this unpredictable river.
   Whoever is interested in the histroy of this region will no doubt greatly enjoy this superb book!



4. If you've ever wondered why Los Angeles is in the middle of a desert (hint: it wasn't always), what the river looked like before there was a city, and why the river was buried in concrete, this is the book. An excellent description of the origins of the river and the city, with insights into the modern revitalization movement.

   Among the things I learned:
   --The river starts in the San Fernando Valley, but the city of Los Angeles has claimed the water as its own since at least 1810, a claim eventually known as the Pueblo Water Right.
   --Not all of those concrete beds in L.A. are technically the L.A. river, which starts along the south edge of the San Fernando Valley, dodges a number of movie studios, and makes a right turn through downtown before heading for the Pacific. The others are creeks and washes that feed (fed) the river.
   --The area's light rainfall was sufficient to keep the river flowing year-round until suburbia took over. Concrete and asphalt reduced the water that soaked into the ground to be released slowly into the river. Now, the primary source of flowing river water is the what's been reclaimed from sewage treatment plants.

   Worth the read for all Angelenos or anyone who is interested in Los Angeles.




5. This fascinating book is packed with information about the history of Los Angeles. Not many present-day Angelenos would know that the location for the city was chosen because of the once-abundant flow of the Rio de Porciuncula, or Los Angeles River. Blake Gumprecht pulls an amazing feat in researching the River's many incarnations alongside the history of the growth of Los Angeles. In addition to providing detailed reports of the River's former courses, and devastating accounts of some of the River's infamous catastrophic floods, Mr. Gumprecht explains the River's role in shaping the course of Los Angeles city politics in greater detail than any previous study.

   Once an ample stream that sustained all of the city's water needs for over 100 years, the Los Angeles River was then pumped dry, smothered in concrete, and almost pushed out of the city's consciousness. Incredible photographs appear throughout the book; many of these photos will make nature-loving Angelenos yearn for the Los Angeles River of yesteryear, with its bubbling, meandering stream, and its banks lined with willows and sycamores.

   Long before you approach the end of this book, you realize that, in an over-zealous attempt to control flooding, the Los Angeles River was essentially raped, depleted, and buried. The fact that, at present, most of its 51 miles are cement is a shame -- especially in a city with so little park space. Amazingly, the River still provides up to 15% of L.A.'s drinking water, albeit from subterannean pumps that tap the River's flow before it ever reaches the surface. And millions of gallons of River water were diverted to the Silver Lake reservoir.

   People who never knew that there was a Los Angeles River should go see the few surviving River greenbelts in the Glendale Narrows and the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area to appreciate our city's River as it used to be.

   P.S. - I encourage other Los Angeles River buffs to look at Kevin Roderick's book "San Fernando Valley: America's Suburb" to see other beautiful pictures of the River in its natural state, before the concrete obscured it.

5 comments about Global Warming and Other Eco Myths: How the Environmental Movement Uses False Science to Scare Us to Death.

1. The good part about anthologies is that they tend to cover more ground than an author normally would on his/her own. Such serves the reader well. "Global Warming and Other Eco-myths" does cover much ground in the realm of "fierce ecological advocacy," handling topics on population, natural resources, water, industrial products, and of course, global warming. There are three chapters on general policy-philosophy which go along with topic-specific chapters.
   
   The themes which run through all parts of the book may roughly be summarized as: 1. Strident environmentalism needs to be braked with logical thinking and a truthful look at actual data; 2. Too many "hot" environmental topics of the past have been misunderstood at best, intentionally misleading at worst; 3. Human beings are not Earth's pests; and 4. Human brains are the most powerful force for solving these largely technological problems discussed in the book. No reader will agree with everything in this work. In fact Ron Bailey, the editor, has since this book's publication changed much of his mind on the global warming part! [http://www.reason.com/news/show/126851.html]
   
   For sure it is worth your picking up this book. This reviewer purchased a copy for reference. Who know? In a decade and one-half, let's see how much of this pans out -- results are always the best judge!



2. I think books like this are dangerous and to those who insist we ignore global warming problems I just want to ask you to answer this one question: What if we continue to ignore this crisis and you are wrong. What then ???? If we do indeed choose to continue to ignore these issues and you happen to be wrong then it will be too late to do anything about them. As a result we all need to do our part and play the safe side which is to assume there is a big global warming problem and do what we can to protect the environment at any cost as we only have one environment people and noone should have the power to dictate that we ignore this crisis.



3. As I write this review, I'm watching TV coverage of a fire -- 13 fires actually -- that has destroyed already more than 1000 homes in Southern California, killed at least two and severely burned dozens more, and destroyed well over 100,000 acres of landscape. The fire has been fueled and spread by Santa Ana winds of up to 100 miles per hour. The whole event is precisely what the environmentalists and climatologists, demonized by this fraudulent book, would predict and have predicted.
   Wake up, ideologues! Don't burn your copies of Ayn Rand and Ann Coulter; that would merely add to the carbon load, which by the way has just been measured by Australian climatologists as HIGHER than expected right now, at the same time that the ability of the ocean to dissolve and keep CO2 in solution is testing LOWER than expected. There is no eco-myth. There is only self-serving petro-fraud and libertarian tomfoolery. At this point, denying the probable consequences of rapid anthropogenic climate change is an act of social irresponsibility verging on a crime against humanity, especially the humanity fo our children.
   There is little in this book that hasn't been covered in similar manifestos of denial, such as the PIGuide to Global Warming. Don't be deceived; this is a political tract, not a book of balanced science. However, if you want to approach the problem reasonably, you might take a look at "Kicking the Carbon Habit" by William Sweet, or "Global Warming: a Very Short Introduction" by Mark Maslin.



4. This is an esssential book to uncover the facts behind the validity of the Global warming concerns and possible impact of humans on this possible effect. It is an essential if you care about the facts.
   
   This is not a book for those who embrace the religion of Secular Humanism, as they will not want to encounter any facts that might conflict with their pre-determined religious beliefs.
   
   
   If you want your concerns and sacrifices to be aligned with any sort of fact and reality, you must read this to round out your education, and off-set the distortions of a media that have decided, with no scientific knowledge, that this religion is true and must be defended against all facts.
   
   Read it and decide for yourself, if you can think independently.



5. The book's editor, Ronald Bailey, came out on Sept 22, 2006 in ReasonOnline to explain that the global warming conclusions in his own book are false. According to Mr. Bailey:
   
   "In 2002 came Global Warming and Other Eco-Myths (Prima Publishing). The global warming contributor was University of Alabama at Huntsville climatologist John Christy.... In August 2005, Science magazine published [findings] that Christy and Spencer had failed to take proper account of satellite drift, which produced a spurious cooling trend to their dataset....
   
   "On the day that the studies were released I wrote a column for Reason in which I declared that my skepticism of man-made global warming was at an end."
   
   Rather than debunking eco-myths, this book perpetuates them. Ouch.

5 comments about Pet Loss: A Spiritual Guide.

1. Julia, a great and sensitive mind.. coaxes your feelings and makes sense out of why we feel more loss when losing an animal than a close relative!
   
   Amazing...
   
   S



2. When my German Shepherd died I was given three books. This was one, and the best. I'm married man with two kids. The kids were devastated, as was my wife & I. This author writes from the heart. There is a special chapter on the difficult decision of euthansia, which we needed because Teg had cancer, and a chapter on how-to help children cope. What sets this book a part from the others is that there is no psycho-babble. No new age theatrics. The author writes from a generic spiritual angle that allows you to tap into your own spirituality, even if you feel that you have none. She presents how different world religions view pet loss and how they counsel their congregations. This is just a great book that should be on every pet lover's shelf. One word of caution - make sure you get the book by JULIA Harris. It was released 2003 by Lantern Books. There is an older book by the same title written by Eleanor Harris and it's different.



3. I appreciated the author's candidness in dealing with grief. She was straightforward and connected quickly with me. If it weren't for the fence-straddling on religious views I probably would have rated this book higher. But when I read a book I want to know the author has answers and is strong on them. I still recommend this book for general help. Thank you for writing it.



4. Having lost my beloved dog, Sasha, I read three books on pet loss. This was the only book which truly comforted my children and myself. It offers spiritual viewpoints from global religions. Doesn't matter if your Christian, Buddhist, Native American, Jewish - the author offers wisdom taken from all paths. A beautiful book which guides you through helping children cope, the difficult decision of euthansia, terminally ill or injured pets - even stolen or runaway pets. I highly recommend this book. You won't be disappointed.



5. In the reviews for Pet Loss: A Spiritual Guide my review is pasted above the previous one as if it were from the same author. Although the other review is good, I don't not wish to take credit for someone else's work! Thank you. Heather Moore Byerley CastleByer@aol.com

1 comments about Low GI Cookbook: Over 80 Delicious Recipes to Help You Lose Weight and Gain Health.

1. Very informative book on glycemic index diet and foods that either increase insulin output or keep it stable. I'm very pleased with this purchase.

5 comments about Deep Atlantic: Life, Death, and Exploration in the Abyss.

1. This is a wonderfully illustrated book, except it is terribly written. Mr Ellis may have a good eye and hand, his writing is full of stock expressions and canned phrases. He seems unable to focus on any particular idea for more than a paragraph or so, and he meanders, but not in any reflective or thoughtful way. The text is full of paragraph length verbatim quotations from other books, even when there is no real need for it. He seems unable or unwilling to even attempt any sort of synthesis, even a personal one, of the themes that are supposedly the subjects of the book. He does have a good bibliography though, and it is probably more rewarding to skip his text and read the originals.

   The real problem with the book though, is as a book of popular science, it is full of inaccuracies, mistakes, and contradictions. Among others, he writes red light has higher frequency than blue, when it is the other way around. There are many others like this, not really deep mistakes, but simples ones that should have been easily found. It seems the book was simply sloppily, superficially researched, and not carefully written and edited at all.

   For a much better popular book, try William Broad's "The Universe Below".




2. I would truly love to meet Richard Ellis, the author of this book. He has produced a very eclectic bibliography on life in the sea. I understand that he began his career as an artist and all of his books are beautifully illustrated. This one in particular makes liberal use of scratchboard art which does a fine job of bringing the creatures of the abyss to life. The first section deals with the history of deep ocean exploration. I found it particularly interesting. Proceeding sections deal with the myriad of ocean geology and biology topics. Ellis' treatment of these subjects is effective, particularly for the person with interest but a less than advanced background in science. I don't think you will find all the information here in another single source. Ellis, if not a marine scientist, shows a mastery of research and bringing his topic together. Some of the information is a bit disjointed but all in all a very good read.



3. I've enjoyed everything I've read by Ellis, and this is no exception. Like his other books, this one too seems to suffer from some mediocre editing, but the content more than makes up for it. The book is basically split into two sections, one describing the oceonography of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as a history of human exploration of the murky depths. The second section, which i found to be the more interesting of the two, is a broad survey of the animal life found in the deep areas of the Atlantic Ocean (and hence the title). I wish he was able to go into more detail about some of the bizarre and amazing animals that he discusses, and I wish that he could have included even more of his wonderful drawings, but despite those reservations, I still thought the book was great.



4. After spending time doing my own studies on the subject it was very nice to read a book by someone so respected in the field and get some new and wonderful info. This book is filled front to back with countless accounts and drawings of deep-sea beasts. However, his use of examples and the way in which he quotes some of his sources can easily draw you away from what the current topic is and blur the overall vision of the book. I would strongly suggest this book to anyone who is in the least bit intrested by this subject.



5. I've been fascinated by deep sea life ever since I was in Kindergarten, when my teacher showed me a picture of a Gulper Eel. This is also great book for sparking a similar interest in deep sea creatures, no matter what your age. The detailed illustrations draw you into the pitch-black world where these remarkable creatures reside. The text is precise and informative, however I found the author relied heavily on too many footnotes. This made reading seem "choppy," and took away from the overall flow. I found myself frequently getting lost referencing footnotes, and having to back up to re-read portions. But overall it's very informative, and the illustrations are absolutely gorgeous! Definately a conversation starter if left on the coffee table!

4 comments about Pet Loss: Thoughtful Guide for Adults and Children, A.

1. This is the most cathartic experience I've EVER had, for it releases unconscious emotions which need to be unharnessed, leading you gently toward healing. Please be good to yourself and read this book, which has been a true God-send to me!



2. I found the book encouraging in that it gave me a feeling of not being the only one who ever suffered from the loss of a pet. I just do not know if I am ready to get over it yet as the book tells me to. I guess I was hoping for more - but it delivered what it promised, so I cannot complain.



3. I was glad to see the previous reader found great solace in this book. I am glad I bought it because at the time it was the only book I could find as I dashed to the airport, and it was better to have something on this topic than nothing as I grieved the new loss of my dear Kitty. But I would not recommend this book highly -- and if you are on Amazon you have a lot of books available at your fingertips. This author is a psychologist and takes a distinctly psychological approach to the subject. I was seeking a more spiritual/emotional approach, particularly because my Kitty died very young and under mysterious circumstances. The psychologist author identifies the process of grief and frequently discusses what is appropriate or inappropriate. If that interests you, this book will be helpful. Personally, I was not at all interested in clinical definitions of inappropriate grief when I was feeling overwhelmed with my own. But everyone is different, so this book may be helpful to you; we each grieve in our own way. I at least was grateful to have a book/person to validate my grief, which so many people seemed to want to dismiss with the attitude "It's only an animal."

   An author whose approach I found much more spiritual/emotional and comforting was James Van Praagh. There is one chapter devoted to pet loss in his book Healing Grief : Reclaiming Life After Any Loss. I was surprised to discover he is a medium, as I normally don't go in for psychic stuff. But the chapter on pet loss in not weird or New Age-ish. It is steeped in love, and the author writes with gentleness and sensitivity of the eternal souls of our beloved animals and the mutual bonds of love that endure beyond mortal death.




4. I took this trusty volume off of my book shelf for the second time in three years this week. Its wisdom, advice, and understanding tone is a great comfort when the most innocent member of your family has made their final exit. Mimi, in my case, was only two years old, making this read extremely difficult, but extremely necessary. I thank the book for helping me understand that what I'm experiencing is natural and necessary in order to start the healing process. With information on the stages of grief, the emotions one experiences, and the consolation that the hurt will get better, Pet Loss has helped me once again say goodbye to a loving dog.

4 comments about The Book of My Pet.

1. I wish I had copies of this book for every companion animal I ever had! Right now, I have three copies I'm keeping memories in -- one for each of my three dogs. I will be sure to purchase a new copy for each new furry friend that I adopt in the future. The "memory joggers" are very helpful while making entries from a pet's birth to crossing the Rainbow Bridge.



2. We recently got our first dog, a cute little black mix, named Blackie, for our young boys Welsey and Paul. They will probably have many pets in their lives but since they are only 3 and 5 now they will not remembers many of the special moments of their first pet Blackie. My husband and I are using The Book of My Pet to capture the life of Blackie so our boys can look back on the joys and responsibilities of caring for their first dog and share it with their kids when they grow up. Great book idea for pet lovers.



3. I know lots of pet owners who would get into this. The design is handsome, not overly cutesy like some. The memory-jogging prompts are v. good...some funny, some reflective, some factual. I like the way they are organized into chapters with subsections: 1. How to Write Your Pet's Story 2. Starting Out (Getting Ready, How We Met, Family Tree) 3. The First Year (Settling In, Getting to Know My Pet, Making & Breaking the Rules) 4. The Prime of Life (Personality, Pleasures, Habits & Health, Talents) 5. The Advanced Years (Winding Down, Maturing Ways) 6. Saying Good-bye (The Passing, Looking Back)



4. When I was a child and then a young mother, keeping a "baby book" of those born into the family was common. It was a way of documenting the events of the life of this important person and celebrating his/her uniqueness. The Book of My Pet offers that kind of possibility for the beloved animals who become significant parts of our families. This book evokes those memories you might forget by asking thoughtful questions in many categories. The whole family can participate in creating this remembrance at anytime in the life of your pet. It is also possible to mount pictures in the book to make it a visual as well as verbal story of your shared life with this mysterious, special being. I am using it to tell the story of Gray, our cat who has graciously taken us into her life.