Review: Animal Wise by Virginia Morell

Animal Wise by Virginia Morell

Non-Fiction (2013)

How and what animals think is a topic I thought I'd be interested in.   Initially comparing it to my favorite book about animal emotions, When Elephants Weep by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, I struggled with the scientific aspect of Animal Wise. Despite it's subtitle, "The Thoughts and Emotions of Our Fellow Creatures," in the book Morell states that although cognition and emotion operate on the same pathway of the brain, less is known about emotion because researchers have not discovered how to study it. And it is because of this proclaimed inability to study animal emotions that critics of Masson's book regard him as guilty of anthropomorphizing.  I myself am guilty of such, which is probably why I enjoyed his book as much as I did.  That said, Animal Wise is a well researched, well-documented book based on actual animal experiments.

Several animals are highlighted in the book:  Dolphins, Ants, Chimpanzees, Rats, Fish, Birds, and Parrots specifically, Elephants, Dogs and Wolves. My favorite chapters were on ants - it's incredible how much they "communicate" and work together - and rats, which I despise, but found interesting that they love to be tickled! And I love everything about elephants, another chapter favorite. Morell may have stated why the animals highlighted were chosen; if so, I don't remember.

Putting aside my initial disappointment that this book was less about animal emotions and more about cognition, I was finally able to enjoy it. It's wonderful to learn how deeply invested scientists and biologists are in understanding the animal world. As this book proves, animals know a lot more than we think they do.

I recommend this book if you have a serious love for animals. It will strengthen your love and broaden your knowledge.

Rating:  4/5

Thank you to Crown Publishing for this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not otherwise compensated.

How Book Blogging Led to My Passion

I've been blogging for two years and book blogging, specifically, for one. During the past year I've wondered why I haven't felt fulfilled. After all, I love reading, and book blogging has pushed me to read infinitely more books than I've read in the past. Two years ago I read 25 books, last year I read 81, and so far this year I've read 145.  Reading lots of books is obviously not a bad thing. But my focus was becoming more on how many books I could read and blog about, not on the enjoyment of the book itself. I pretended that the numbers of followers and comments didn't matter and that it wasn't a popularity contest. I'm above that, I told myself. At least that's what I wanted to believe.

But the more I blogged, the more I realized I did care whether or not people read my blog. It wasn't fun any more. And the more time that passed and the more posts I wrote and the more blogs I read (and the more guilt I felt for not writing more and better posts), the more I realized that something - I couldn't quite put a finger on what exactly it was, but something - was missing.

I remember one day thinking, Is all this time I'm putting into reading blogs and writing posts making a difference? Does this matter?

A person can't go long without feeling they are making a difference in the world or in someone's life, whether it be giving or helping.  I realize blogging is a form of creativity and isn't meant to change the world, and I certainly enjoyed it. But it wasn't enough. I'm sure it was helpful... My review about an awful book I read and rated 1-star may have prevented someone from reading it and saved them precious moments of an already too-short life. But what about my own life? Is reading like a maniac and spending hours writing book reviews hoping someone reads them a good way to spend my time?  Most importantly, is it rewarding enough to continue?

My answer was no. It wasn't. I needed more.

What book blogging DID do was lead me to read books about dogs and animals. I was drawn to those. I couldn't get enough.  Of course I'd read a few of the popular ones - Still Missing, Room, and The Help (which I loved by the way) to keep up and not feel like an outsider. But still I'd come back to the dog books. Dog rescues. Dogs saved from shelters. Dogs from Katrina.  Dogs, dogs, dogs.

And that's how I found my passion. My calling. My mission.   

I now volunteer for Stray Rescue, a no-kill shelter in St. Louis that has approximately 250 dogs currently looking for homes. I walk dogs, do laundry, wash bowls and whatever else needs to be done. The work never ends. Many dogs are adopted out each month, but always there are more. This week alone founder Randy Grim rescued 43 more strays from the streets, many of them litters of puppies.

Until people stop buying from breeders, which I myself did twice before learning how many dogs and cats die in shelters every HOUR - 800 to be exact, and until we start spaying and neutering our pets, and until we stop throwing away our dogs and cats when they get old or unruly, either dumping them at the shelter or out on the streets, and until laws of abuse against animals are enforced, there will always be more. 

I also do what is known as "cross posting" on Facebook.  I exchange information with rescue organizations and individuals wanting to adopt or foster of dogs and cats in danger of being euthanized in high-kill shelters because of overcrowding. It's heartbreaking work when every other animal is updated as PTS (put to sleep), but there are so many people who care, and once in a while a dog or cat is saved and I wonder if it was me who made the difference.

For me, blogging is fun, I love making new friends with similar interests, it's a way for me to be creative and I definitely read more than I used to.

But now I'm helping save lives. Animals are living, breathing beings. And as long as humans treat animals the way some do, I will always have a passion to help them.

Thanks to book blogging.

I miss you, Friends!  And I'll never stop reading.  And I'm sure I'll be back. 

Be sure to follow me on Goodreads.  I always update and rate books there. Go here and click on Lynne (the one from Saint Louis, MO)

A few pictures that prove animals, who cannot speak, need loving humans to protect them from evil scum



Book News and Dog Costumes

I've read quite a few books lately but have been bad about posting reviews.  I'm not in a reading slump, but I am in a review slump.  Oh well, not going to beat myself up over it.

First some pictures of Emma, the lovely model in my header.  For Halloween she couldn't decide between her tiger and princess costumes.

 
She went with the tiger costume. 

Books Read in October (15 total) 

Miracle Dog:  How Quentin Survived the Gas Chamber to Speak for Animals on Death Row ~ Randy Grim (5/5)
Choosing to See:  A Journey of Struggle and Hope ~ Mary Beth Chapman (4.5/5)
Hey Pancakes! ~ Tamson Weston
It Couldn't Be Worse ~ Vlasta Van Kampen
The Gendarme ~ Mark Mustian (2.5/5)
A Prayer for the Dying ~ Stewart O'Nan (3/5)
The Power of Little Words ~ John Beckley (3.5/5)
The Everything Creative Writing Book ~ Wendy Burt-Thomas (4/5)
Ape House ~ Sara Gruen (4.5/5)
Nicole Brown Simpson:  The Private Diary of a Life Interrupted ~ Faye Resnick (4/5)
Woe is I:  The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English ~ Patricia O'Conner
Shattered:  The True Story of a Mother's Love, A Husband's Betrayal, and a Cold-Blooded Texas Murder ~ Kathyrn Casey (5/5)
Operating Room Confidential:  What Reallly Goes on When You Go Under ~ Paul Whang, MD (4/5)
Without a Word:  How a Boy's Unspoken Love Changed Everything ~ Jill Kelly (5/5)
Pukka:  The Pup After Merle ~ Ted Kerasote (4/5)

Gave up on:

A Small Furry Prayer:  Dog Rescue and the Meaning of Life - gave up after 211 pages (78 to go) - that's probably my record for pages read of a book I finallly gave up.  Didn't hold my interest.

The Widower's Tale by Julia Glass - gave up after 87 pages.  I enjoyed the writing, but not enough was happening in the story.

So far in November I've read:

Oogy:  The Dog Only a Family Could Love ~ Larry Levin (4.5/5)
Dogtown:  Tales of Rescue, Rehabilitation and Redemption ~ Stefan Bechtel (4.5/5)

At the library waiting to be picked up:

The Wave:  In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks and Giants of the Ocean ~ Susan Casey
84, Charing Cross Road ~ Helen Hanff
Words Fail Me:  What Everyone Who Write Should Know About Writing ~ Patricia O'Conner
The Lost Dogs:  Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption ~ Jim Gorant

My husband is reading Matterhorn, so I'll read that when he's finished. 

My theme lately?  Animals, Murders (true crime) and reference books (writing and grammar).

Do you have a reading theme going on lately?

Review: Ape House

Author:  Sara Gruen



Genre: Fiction


About:  A female scientist named Isabel Duncan meets a married male reporter named John Thigpen, who encounters animal rights protestors during his visit to a lab housing Bonobo apes.  An explosion at the lab severely injures Isabel and the apes escape.  A reality TV show soon airs, featuring the apes and becoming a worldwide phenomenon. Isabel does everything she can to save her beloved Bonobos from the media frenzy.

Thoughts:  Reading Bonobo Handshake before reading Ape House added so much pleasure to my experience. I was already familiar with all things bonobos, i.e. how much sex they have, how loving and loyal they are, how human-like they are (sharing 98.7% of our human DNA), etc.  It turns out that Sara Gruen and the author of Bonobo Handshake, Vanesssa Woods, are friends.

At first I couldn't get into the idea of an ape reality show, but Gruen really made it work.  The story had enough going on to keep me interested, with different subplots and drama other than the apes.  What really came through for me in the story was how much the author loves these bonobos.  She lived and breathed bonobos - even living at the Great Ape Trust in Des Moines, Iowa - and it showed. 

I enjoyed it a lot.

Source:  Library

Why I Chose:  Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants was wonderful, and I'm always fascinated by apes and chimps.  I wish I could go live at the Great Ape Trust.

Recommend?  Yes

Rating:  4.5 / 5


Have you read this?  Plan to?

Up Next:

Review: Kicked, Bitten and Scratched: Life and Lessons at the World's Premier School for Exotic Animal Trainers

Author: Amy Sutherland
Genre: Memoir (2006)
About: The author follows students at the Exotic Animal Training and Management program at California's Moorpark Community College.

Liked...I loved this book. It had me hooked by page 2 when it said "every student must break a pigeon's neck with her hands, what they call pulling a pigeon, or gas a rat before she can graduate." I know, disgusting, but it's like driving by a car accident, I couldn't stop looking reading. Besides talk about sperm, vomit, pee, poop, and maybe some frozen chopped animal parts, that was about as gross as it got. Most people probably won't read this book, but if you have any interest at all in animals, it really is good.  It's like being a fly on the wall and learning the inside scoop of a place you'd more than likely never go.

The writing style was wonderful.  The author focused on enough students and animals to get a realistic picture of what goes on, but not so many that it was hard to keep track of them.  And it was so real.  Not only did a few animals die, not surprisingly, but so did one of the students.

*Wanna know why they have to pull the heads off pigeons and gas rats? It's because birds of prey and reptiles must have fresh prey. They can't hunt at the school facility, obviously, because they're in captivity, so the student caretakers must do it for them. How'd you like to have to do that for a final exam?

Didn't Like...I was disappointed there weren't any pictures and a few typos were distracting. That's it.

Source: I bought this at the Goodwill for 75 cents. A 5-star book for 75 cents...gotta love it.

Why I Chose: 1) I love animal books 2) for a minute when I was younger I wanted to be a dolphin trainer 3) I had never seen a book on this topic.  So basically it was on the shelf calling my name.

Recommend? If you like animals and/or are curious about what all goes on at a school for animal trainers, I absolutely recommend this book.

Rating: 5/5

Next Up:

I just started this last night and the writing is so choppy I'm having a hard time getting used to it.  I'm pluggin' away though, trying to adjust.



Review: One Dog at a Time: Saving the Strays of Afghanistan

Author: Pen Farthing

Genre: Memoir (2009)

About: While serving for the Royal Marines in Afghanistan, the author intervenes when he comes upon the scene of a local dog fight. One of the freed dogs finds his way into the Marine compound where Farthing is staying and eventually so do several other strays. Farthing, with a soft spot for dogs, can't resist caring for them, some of whom are pregnant, and as his tour of duty comes to an end he enlists his wife's help to rescue them.

Did you know...that dogfighting, a centuries-old tradition, is one of Afghanistan's most popular sports, and that owners cut off their dogs' ears and tails with a knife (no anesthetic) so no superficial wounds will be inflicted because of a torn ear or tail and the fights can then last longer?

Overall:  It was okay.

Liked...the courage the author showed in standing up to the dogfights and in caring for the dogs at the Marine compound, as it was not exactly in line with the rules but because he was a higher rank he got away with it. I liked the dramatic ending the best, when he had to organize the dogs' difficult trip out of Afghanistan. I also liked the few pictures on the front and back inside covers.

Didn't like...that it dragged on. Yes he had a huge heart and yes he went to a lot of trouble to save a few dogs in the compound when his duty was over, but not enough content to warrant a book. 

Source: Library

Why I chose: The cover. I couldn't resist. And of course the subtitle: Saving the Strays of Afghanistan. Always a sucker for animals. Especially strays.

Recommend:  Eh.

Rating:  3 / 5

Review: Bonobo Handshake: A Memoir of Love and Adventure in the Congo

Author: Vanessa Woods

Genre: Memoir (2010)

About: The author's life while working with bonobos in the Congo.

Did You Know... that bonobos are an extremely endangered ape that share 98.7 percent of our DNA? ...that chimpanzees live in male-dominated societies and resolve conflict with violence and war, and bonobos live in female-dominated societies and resolve conflict with sex? ...that bonobos live only in the Congo?

Overall:  Enjoyed

Liked... reading about the author's bond with the bonobos. Many of them died after she'd become emotionally attached; I can't imagine how that must have felt, especially because they were so human-like. I also liked reading about how she met her husband while doing bonobos research and some of the difficulties they had as a couple, as well as dealing with war and disease.

Didn't Like...the war and politics in the book. I was bored and skipped over a lot of it. Also, because bonobos are extremely sexual creatures, the talk about clitorises and penises and orgasms and rubbing was a little overboard. I know, it is what it is. They're animals. What are ya gonna do.

Source: Library

Why I Chose: I've seen this book around the blogosphere and I love animals. Easy choice.

Recommend? Yes, if you would be interested in reading about bonobos and how much they love sex. Just kidding. It really is fascinating how they resolve conflict with sex and what a peaceful, loving species they are.

Rating: 4/5

I plan on reading Sara Gruen's Ape House, now that I'm on a primate roll.

Review: Zoo Story: Life in the Garden of Captives

Author:  Thomas French

Genre:  Non-Fiction (2010)

About:  Behind the scenes look at a zoo and the animals who live there.

Descriptive Words:  Thought-provoking, politics, animal attacks, animal behavior

Interesting Tidbit:  The author was inspired to write Zoo Story after reading Life of Pi, in which the main character's family owns a zoo.

Thoughts:   My first thought...a non-fiction book about zoos and animals with no pictures?!  That really irked me. 

The main focus of this book was the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida, and I didn't care for the whole behind the scenes/political aspect. It was very negative. I realize Zoo Story is the title of the book, not Zoo Animals, but the hirings and firings and disagreements and staff turnovers turned me off.  I also didn't like that the author focused so much on only one zoo. Is this how all zoos are?  Do they all have CEOs with volatile management styles like Lex Salisbury, whose nickname is El Diablo Blanco (The White Devil) and who cares more about his status in society than the care of the animals?  Lord, I hope not.

What I did like was getting to know some of the animals in depth, i.e., tigers Eric and Enshalla, and a chimp named Herman.  Herman was rescued and raised as a baby by a family, who, when he grew and became more difficult to handle, gave him to the zoo, where he lived for 16 years.  The story about his life and tragic death there was sad.  I also enjoyed the different stories about animal attacks on zookeepers and zoo patrons. 

I'm still on the fence about zoos in general. Their dedication to continuing the species of rare and endangered animals is praiseworthy, and zookeepers do their best to care for the animals.  But have you ever seen a tiger rhythmically pacing back and forth in his enclosure hour after hour? That breaks me heart.

Source:  Library

Why I Chose:  The cover / I love animals / I was curious to see how the author would portray zoos

Recommend?  Yes if you want to know the inside (and mostly negative) scoop about the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa; otherwise, no.  But I did enjoy the in-depth emotional stories about the animals.

Rating:  3.5 / 5  

Review: Life of Pi

Author:Yann Martel

Genre: Fiction (2001)

About: Piscine (Pi), a 16-year-old boy, the son of a zookeeper, is moving with his family and their zoo animals from India to Canada. They are aboard a Japanese cargo ship when it sinks in the Pacific Ocean. Pi tells his story of survival aboard a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker (I love that name for a tiger, and the story about how he got that name is interesting.)

Descriptive Words: Multicultural, philosophical, bizarre, survival, gruesome

Thoughts: I've never read a book whose rating, while reading, varied as much as this one. From a 2 to a 5, back and forth. A 2 means I struggled to finish; a 5 means I loved it. Life of Pi and I had a love/hate relationship.

I don't like stories that are unbelievable; I don't have an imagination and I admit it. I enjoyed the beginning when Pi talked about his family and their zoo, and how he embraced the different aspects of Muslim, Christianity and Hindu. But then the boat sank and the Bengal tiger ended up in the lifeboat with Pi, and at first he avoided the tiger so as not to be eaten and then he wanted the tiger so he would protect him.... And then they ran into some other random guy in a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean... And then the tiger was ripping and shredding and eating heads and legs and hearts and...bleh. I thought, This is so bizarre, why am I reading this? But what should I do now...stop reading? I was too far into it by then, and I had to find out what the fuss was all about. I'm glad I did. It's definitely interesting in an odd sort of way. I need to read it again. I think I might be able to wrap my head around it better the second time around.

Source: I own

Why I Chose: Peer pressure. Everyone else jumped off the bridge, so yes Dad, I jumped too.

Recommend? Yes/No - You decide (how's that for ambiguity)

Rating: 3.5 / 5 I think I would give this a higher rating if I re-read it

Other Reviews:


Caribou's Mom
1More Chapter
A Novel Menagerie
My Cozy Book Nook
At Home With Books
The Zen Leaf

Review: Alex and Me

By Irene Pepperberg
Memoir

My Synopsis

Alex is an African Grey parrot bought by the author for research, and becomes an unexpected, beloved friend.

My Thoughts

The book was a little slow in the beginning, but when Pepperberg provided more detail about Alex's personality, I fell in love...

At one point Alex was sick and needed nebulizer treatments, where he had to sit in a vapor-filled crate. Each time the vet put him in the crate he would say, "Wanna go back....wanna go back," asking to be put back in his regular cage. When the treatment was over a timer went off. He figured out the routine, and as soon as the timer went off he said, "Come here. Wanna go back!" If the staff was busy and couldn't get to him right away, he would yell, "Pay attention!", which he learned from the students who said that to him during research training.

After Alex had been through a few months of training, another parrot, Griffin, was brought in for additional research. If Griffin had difficulty answering a question, Alex would prompt him. For example, if the answer was "7," and Griffin hesitated, Alex would say "ssss..." "ssss..." as a hint, as one would to a kindergartner learning to read. Also, if Griffin didn't speak clearly enough, Alex told him to "say better."

During one training session the author had different colored numbers laid out and asked Alex, "What number is green?" Instead of answering her question he kept asking for a nut. She said, "Alex, I'll give you a nut when we're finished." Pepperberg asked him again, and again he said, "Wanna nut." After going back and forth a few times and thinking maybe she didn't understand, he said, very slowly, "Nu-uh-t." (Can't you just imagine? Like, duh lady, do I have to spell it out for you?)

And for anyone who thinks parrots don't have feelings? How about this exchange between Alex and the author, which was their usual goodbye as she left the lab for the night...

Alex: You be good. I love you.

Pepperberg: I love you, too.

Alex: You'll be in tomorrow?

Pepperberg: Yes, I'll be in tomorrow.

Do I Recommend?

Yes

Source

Bought from an indie store called Sue's News.

My Rating

4/5

Other Reviews

Bibliofreak
Rhapsody in Books
A Bookworm's World
Book Slut

Review: When Elephants Weep

By Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson
Non-fiction (1995)

My Synopsis

Non-fiction book about the emotional lives of animals.

My Thoughts

Ever since I saw the movie Arctic Circle I've been interested in animal emotions. The moving picture in my mind of the mother polar bear grieving for her dead cub - first lying next to it and then, knowing she must move on, glancing back several times, finally, reluctantly leaving - is etched and permanent.

When Elephants Weep is a carefully researched book of scientific data and experiments, accompanied by scores of animal stories, that prove that animals (not just elephants) in captivity and in the wild experience emotion.

Animals emotions proven and covered in the book include: Fear, hope, love, friendship, grief, sadness, joy, rage, compassion, rescue, altruism, shame, and the ability to appreciate beauty.

There is mention of the cruel rhesus monkey experiments from years ago, but also the most beautiful, awe-inspiring stories of animals that show they feel just about every emotion humans do, from pain and fear to guilt and embarrassment.

I absolutely loved this book and will never look at animals the same way again.

Do I Recommend?

Yes

Source

Library

My Rating

5/5

Review: Saving Gracie: How One Dog Escaped the Shadowy World of American Puppy Mills

by Carol Bradley

My Synopsis

Story of a woman who rescues a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel from a puppy mill, as well as the atrocious state of puppy mills in general.

My Thoughts

I thought this would be just a story about one dog, Gracie, and her rescue from a puppy mill, but it was more than that.  Much of the book focused on the truth about puppy mills, their lack of regulation, and the appalling treatment of the dogs,  Although licensed puppy mills are subject to stricter regulation thanks to awareness, if breeders choose to operate without a license, which many of them now do in order to avoid being "watched," that's their prerogative. 

While reading the book I felt so much guilt about buying my two dogs from breeders and now wonder how they and their parents were treated.  I will never, ever get a dog from anywhere but a shelter or rescue organization.  Ever.  I don't care if my husband insists on a non-shedding dog!  We'll just have to find one at the pound.

I loved the stories about Gracie and other rescue dogs and their transition from puppy mill living to living in a wonderful, loving home.  Reading about the dogs' difficulties walking on grass or up stairs when all they were used to for years was a wire cage was interesting.  And it broke my heart to learn about the practice of debarking dogs, where they jam a plastic tube down the dogs' throats, rupturing their vocal cords so they can no longer bark, and how dogs become deaf because of untreated ear infections.  It went on and on, and is definitely not for the fainthearted. 

Do I Recommend?

Yes if you want to know exactly how dogs are treated in puppy mills, which you should if you ever have an urge to buy a purebred or "designer" dog from a breeder.

Source

Library

My Rating

4/5 for enjoyment, but 5/5 for education and information 

Other reviews

Bibliophile by the Sea

Review: The Tao of Mia and Leo

The Tao of Mia and Leo

by Jeffra Nicholson

My Synopsis

Inspirational book about the author's two cats, Mia and Leo, and how they helped her through life's ups, downs and all-arounds.

My Thoughts

Cute book of short inspirational stories. In each short chapter the author focuses on an issue, i.e. asking for what you want, the art of dining, admitting your mistakes, self-acceptance, learning to enjoy your own company, etc., and tells how she learned from her cats how to handle those areas of her life.

At first I was skeptical about what a cat could teach someone about life, but Nicholson did a great job writing the book, relating the closely observed actions of her cats in thoughtful detail and providing inspiration to the reader. I enjoyed reading about her many work-related moves and how her faithful friends were there to help her get through all the stressors involved.

The only disappointment I had was the lack of pictures of her beloved kitties! There weren't any except for the cover picture. I felt a little cheated because of that :) Otherwise, the book was a joy to read.

Do I Recommend?

Yes.

Source: I received this review copy from Paula at Author Marketing Experts, Inc. and was in no way compensated for my opinion.

My Rating

4/5

Review: Saving Cinnamon

Saving Cinnamon

by Christine Sullivan

My Synopsis

A Navy Reservist, Mark Feffer, befriends a stray puppy (Cinnamon) while in Afghanistan. He makes arrangements to adopt the puppy and have her transported to the United States. Another military man, who agrees to escort her there, ends up leaving her in a foreign airport during a stop. After missing for 44 days, the author, Mark's sister, through determination and desperation, finally tracks her down.

My Thoughts

The author was absolutely heartbroken when she found out Cinnamon was missing. Her brother had become extremely attached to the puppy while serving in the military. The most difficult part for everyone involved was not knowing what happened to her. Was she hurt? Thirsty? Hungry? The man who was supposed to be in charge of her transportation left her in a Kyrgyzstan airport. Turkish Airlines would not let Cinnamon on the flight because the cargo area was not heated. The man left her with an airport employee after first threatening to kill the dog because he did not want to miss his flight.

The author told in great detail (which I found fascinating and not the least bit boring, surprisingly) how she emailed everyone she knew for help, how she fought to find her brother's dog even when he became dejected and hopeless, and how she finally found Cinnamon in the end.

I loved this book!! Luh-uh-uved it! Christine Sullivan needs to be my friend. Plus, there a ton of pictures from the time Cinnamon was with Mark while he was serving in Afghanistan as well as Cinnamon's happy homecoming. I must have looked at the pictures 15 times.

For more info, go to savingcinnamon.com.

Do I Recommend?

Yes, if you are an animal lover and especially if you're a dog lover. You'll "get" why someone would go to such extremes to find a lost puppy.

My Rating

5/5

The Dogs Who Found Me

by Ken Foster


My Synopsis

This memoir by Ken Foster is subtitled What I've learned from pets who were left behind. He tells how he adopted a stray dog and the stream of rescue dogs who subsequently came into his life. Some of the dogs he adopted and others he found homes for. Like the author of Homer's Odyssey, Foster writes about his 9/11 experience while living in New York and how his dogs helped him through it.

My Thoughts

Cute book. I really liked it, but it's one that only true dog lovers will appreciate. Foster's writing was a bit amateur-ish, but the simplicity made it an easy read. What I loved about the book was the comfort in knowing there are people who go above and beyond to help animals. Foster is like any typical dog lover. Once you have one dog who shows you unconditional love and wags his tail every time you walk in the room, you're hooked.

And I have to tell you this inspirational story that my neighbor told me yesterday. Real quick, okay?

My Neighbor

My neighbor went to the city pound to adopt a dog. She saw a black and white hound/border collie mix that was on its death bed. I don't know the details of why a dog that sick was in a crate where people could see it, or why they didn't euthanize the dog if it was that sick, but anyway, my neighbor ended up paying $100 to adopt the dog and take it to her vet...just so the dog could die in a quiet place. Is that not the kindest thing you've ever heard?

The vet told my neighbor that the dog would not make it through the night, which she already knew, but still she felt good about what she did.

The vet called her the next day to tell her the dog was still alive and actually getting better.




You know the rest of the story. The dog got better and my neighbor brought her home! That was almost two years ago.

That's Posey in her front yard. (Her ear looks funny here, but it's just flipped backwards.)
She named the dog Posey because she is a "bouquet" of different breeds. She is currently in training to become a therapy dog and will go to hospitals and nursing homes to visit patients.

Isn't that the best story?

Oh shoot, I got sidetracked again. So sorry!

The book...

It was good. I enjoyed it because I'm an animal freak and I'll probably read every animal book ever published, but it wasn't exactly Marley and Me.

Rating

3/5 (if I used half ratings, I'd give it a 3 1/2)

A Big Little Life

By Dean Koontz

I've never read any of Koontz's other books. I think he mostly writes mysteries. This book is about his golden retriever named Trixie. Guess where he got her from?! CCI! If you've read my blog you've seen the pictures of my dad and his wife's new dog Emma (formerly known as Marla). Emma was given to them by CCI (Canine Companions for Independence) because he and Trudy do fundraisers and other volunteer work for them. How surprised I was then to see how much A Big Little Life focuses on the CCI program. What a coincidence! Dean Koontz and his wife Gerda did a lot of work with CCI as well, and like my dad and Trudy, they were given a dog who was released because of an injury while actually working as a support dog.

Some of the animal books I read I think people would like even if they are not animal lovers, but this guy, Koontz, is over the top and only dog people, like myself, could probably relate. If you know what Frosty Paws are, this book is for you (it's an ice cream treat for dogs that is sold at the grocery store, and my dogs love it). If you think a dog can understand a word like "nachos," this book is for you. If you are certain that dogs possess souls, this book is for you. If you think dogs can tell what time of day it is and what is expected to happen at certain times of the day, this book is for you. If you've ever loved a dog so much you sobbed when it was sick or passed away, this book is for you.

Dean Koontz doesn't know it, but he and his wife are my new best friends. Anyone who sleeps on the kitchen floor with their sick dog all night is my friend. Don't worry, this isn't a Marley and Me sob story, but the humor and the antics are similar. And yes I did cry, but I always cry while reading dog books because the authors always relate so well the love between a pet parent and their dog. And I know exactly what they're talking about. And it makes me cry. That's all.

Get this book. You won't be disappointed.

4/5

Homer's Odyssey




The author, Gwen Cooper, is a sucker. She reminds me of my friend Kay. If you know of an animal who needs a home, especially one who is blind, old, has a leg or tail missing, call her up.

Case in point: I emailed info to Kay from Petfinder.com about a puppy named Monet who is blind. I didn't seriously think she would adopt him, but it made me sad and he was so cute. She replied something about possibly adopting him, but she wasn't sure how her other dogs would react. Leave it to Kay to even consider it :)

I'm kidding when I say "sucker," by the way. What they really are is good-hearted.

Monet - click here for more info

Isn't he cute?

Oops, I got sidetracked.

Back to the book.

Homer was a stray found at 2 weeks old and had an eye infection that could have been treated had he been found sooner. Unfortunately his eyes had to be removed. Some at the vet's office suggested euthanizing him since he would be hard to adopt out. The vet, after seeing his spunk and determination, felt otherwise. The vet, who treated Gwen's (the author) other cats, Vashti and Scarlett, asked if she would also be willing to adopt Homer. Gwen fell for him immediately and took him home.

Throughout the book the author writes about her life with three cats, one, of course, who is blind. She discusses dating with three cats, living with a roommate with three cats, moving with the cats back in with her parents, and moving to another state via airplane with them. She wrote about 9/11 when she lived only blocks from the World Trade Center, and what it was like not knowing whether or not her cats survived, after she was forced to leave them alone until people were allowed back in the area. Several days went by before she even knew if her apartment building was still standing.

I loved Homer. He was a hoot. I dare anyone not to fall in love with him while reading this book. He was spunky and courageous and smart. He even taught himself to use the toilet (the author walked in the bathroom and found him balancing himself on the toilet seat). He was determined. Once when he was trying to jump on the side of the bathtub while Gwen was taking a bath, he fell in the water. After Gwen dried him off, he tried again! This time he was able to balance himself and sit on the edge of the tub.

The way Homer relied on his sense of hearing and touch was fascinating. He warned Gwen after hearing an intruder break into the apartment in the middle of the night. He was able to find a closed can of tuna in the cupboard. He knew where Gwen kept tampons, and he would tear open the paper and carry them around like mice, with the "tail" hanging out of his mouth. He may have been blind, but he sure had fun :)

I love how in the book everyone Homer encountered learned a lesson, whether it was courage, determination, not feeling sorry for yourself, not to judge, or just how to have fun!

Great book, but then again I have yet to find a book about animals that I don't like. Guess I'm the sucker.

4/5

The Daily Coyote

by Shreve Stockton

This lady has my dream life.

After moving from New York to San Francisco and falling in love with a small town in Wyoming while traveling through, she ended up staying and living there in a 12 x 12 log cabin. While there, she fell in love with Mike, a government trapper for the U. S. Department of Agriculture, who found and gave her a 10-day-old coyote.

The book started out as a daily blog of coyote pictures she sent to her friends. Soon her friends emailed her, saying they could not function without their "daily coyote." The blog became famous, and eventually she got a contract to write the book.

If nothing else, buy (or borrow) this book just to look at the pictures. They are fascinating and beautiful. In addition to the baby coyote, she had a cat named Eli, who went from hate towards the coyote to indifference, and eventually - as several darling pictures show - became his buddy.

I LOVED this book. When I first got it and read the first few pages, I told Eric, "If I could do nothing but read for 12 hours straight, I would do it." Knowing how much I love animals and how serious I was, he said, "Okay, bye. Have fun."

Since I couldn't really do that, it took me two days.

Click on the link below to see her blog...She still writes on it!

http://www.dailycoyote.net/?p=1366

***** 5 Stars (Surprise, surprise)