| If you are having trouble coming up with a | | | | decision making process. |
| gift for any of the pet lovers on your list, | | | | |
| why not consider a book? This article | | | | Food Pets Die For by Ann Martin is a |
| recommends some of the best of the best from | | | | no-holds-barred, well-researched book giving |
| the many titles on bookstore shelves this | | | | the consumer a unique look into the pet food |
| year. | | | | industry. The tells the truth about pet foods |
| | | | - whether we want to hear it or not. A must |
| One of my favorite dog-related books is Bones | | | | read for anyone feeding grocery-store brand |
| Would Rain from the Sky by Suzanne Clothier. | | | | pet foods. |
| The book speaks of the special bonds we have | | | | |
| with our dogs, sometimes that we are not even | | | | There are numerous books available to on in |
| aware of. | | | | keeping your pets healthy and dealing with |
| | | | health concerns. |
| Clothier is a nationally renowned dog | | | | |
| trainer. Using both her own dogs and dogs she | | | | One of the first authors to address holistic |
| has trained for others, she illustrates how | | | | healing for pets is Dr. Richard Pitcairn in |
| dogs think, the nature of their relationship | | | | his Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs |
| with us, their behavior and other lessons. | | | | and Cats. It is now in its third edition, |
| | | | updated with the latest information and the |
| I found it beautifully written; moving, | | | | doctor's own experiences, and is the first |
| sweet, funny at times, heartbreaking at | | | | book I turn to when I have a question about |
| others. This is a book I recommend not only | | | | an animal's health. |
| to dog owners, but to anyone thinking about | | | | |
| getting a dog. | | | | The only book I have found that specifically |
| | | | addresses natural care of cats is The New |
| For lighter stories, there are always James | | | | Natural Cat by Anitra Frazier. The author |
| Herriot's wonderful books, beginning with All | | | | goes into great detail on every aspect of |
| Creatures Great and Small. His most | | | | caring for cats, from feeding to grooming to |
| well-known works are available in a gift set. | | | | specific health problems. |
| | | | |
| My all-time favorite cat book is The Silent | | | | When it comes to dog training, there are many |
| Miaow by Paul Gallico. Subtitled "a Manual | | | | approaches and many books and videos. |
| for Kittens, Strays, and Homeless Cats",it's | | | | Basically most books can be placed in one of |
| written in the first person-cat. The aim of | | | | two schools of thought as far as training |
| the book is to teach motherless cats how to | | | | method, either traditional negative |
| properly live with humans. It is a | | | | punishment-based training, or the newer, |
| twenty-year old book, but is still available | | | | positive reward-based training. |
| in paperback. | | | | |
| | | | I believe that positive training is the way |
| The book's narrator explains: "there is no | | | | to go, even if it is harder for the human to |
| question but that we are quite the most | | | | learn. One of the most well-written books on |
| graceful animals in existence, and this you | | | | the subject is Pat Miller's The Power of |
| must keep uppermost in your mind in all of | | | | Positive Dog Training. |
| your attitudes and poses..." . On doors he | | | | |
| tell the reader: "..teach them [your humans] | | | | In this book, Miller explains how positive |
| the necessity of dropping whatever they | | | | dog training works and how to use it. There |
| happen to be doing to open one of them to let | | | | are chapters on basic commands as well as |
| you in or out." | | | | common behavior problems. |
| | | | |
| A nice picture book for breed identification | | | | Pat Miller is a dog trainer with over thirty |
| and description is the Eyewitness Handbooks | | | | years of experience, and has used many |
| series Dogs or Cats. | | | | methods and tools in that time. |
| | | | |
| Originally written in England, the group | | | | There are, of course, plenty of other books |
| discussed in the book may differ from the | | | | on the subject of pets, from 'how-tos' to |
| American Kennel Club or the Cat Fanciers | | | | photographic essays, both humorous and |
| Association. They are meant to be | | | | poignant. Hours can be spent in just one |
| international in scope. | | | | aisle of the bookstores, trying to decide on |
| | | | a title or two. |
| Descriptions are brief, and will not be | | | | |
| enough information for choosing a breed to | | | | You might want to pick up a book or two for |
| adopt, but it is a great book for simple | | | | your own bookshelf, as well! Happy Holidays |
| identification, or as a starting place in the | | | | and happy reading! |