An insightful, accessible, and inspiring look at why animals intrigue and enchant us
931443
When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a dolphin trainer. I was fascinated by the possibility of establishing some kind of interspecies connection by working with these clearly intelligent mammals of the sea. Unfortunately, a lack of swimming skill and an aversion to the clingy fit of wetsuits made such a career path unlikely for me. While I never became an animal trainer of any kind, I have continued to pursue knowledge about how the animals with whom we share this planet are like us and yet also very unlike us. This book does a wonderful job of providing a glimpse into a wide range of stories and studies on just this topic. It provides a rich source of insight into all kinds of animal behaviors, many of which I hadn't ever read about before. And it helps connect the dots between those behaviors and what they mean in terms of the lives of the animals. As someone who believes deeply in the interconnectedness of all living beings, I found this book very reassuring. I came away from reading it feeling more grounded and more connected with the wild world around me. Our natural world - indeed, our entire planet - hangs in a very precarious position right now. It has never been more important for people to see clearly how our lives are interwoven with the wilderness and its inhabitants. We have much to learn from the non-human residents of planet Earth, and this book is a lovely way to learn some of those lessons.
1129238
The author provided delightful, touching stories that provided insight into what an animal communicator does and how such communication can have such a profound impact into the lives of people and animals. Her sensitive and spiritual approach in her communication with animals can be felt within the words on the pages to the extent that you could feel the stories as well as understand them. A wonderful read and I look forward to seeing more from this author!
1082929
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review.

Through a Dog's Eyes by Jennifer Arnold is a blend of personal memoir, anecdotes about the healing and loving power of dogs,dog training manual, and scientific insight into the mind of dogs and their relationship to humans. Arnold, founder of an organization called Canine Assistants which trains service dogs, divides the book into various aspects of a dog's personality: emotion, language and play, and uses her experiences with Canine Assistants as well as her own personal history to describe the current scientific research as well as her own insight into the subject.

I selected this book for three reasons-- I'm a sucker for books about animals, I LOVE dogs, and I thought it would mostly be about the service animals that have been trained through her organization. It ended up being more about dog behavior in general, which was somewhat disappointing-- I really enjoyed the stories about the service animals and would like to have read more of them.

However, even if the book isn't exactly what I expected, it is a very worthwhile read. Arnold's love and championship for dogs is palpable, as is her anger when humans fail these creatures who have served us for centuries with devotion and self sacrifice. She doesn't pull any punches-- she is unyielding in her stand against harsh treatment methods such as shock collars, yelling and expressing dominance over the dog. She very candidly admits that in the past she used such methods herself, but the more she worked with the dogs, the more she realized that they respond best when treated with respect and positive reinforcement when they make the appropriate choice. I find this especially admirable when so many prominent dog trainers are advocating the use of shock collars and aggression when training dogs.

I really liked her description of the "Choice Training Method" and from my own experience with dogs, I can see how it would be very effective. At the end the book she gives some specifics about using this method to help with various behavior problems. Without realizing it, I have been using this method myself with my current dog and I can attest that he is one of the best behaved dogs I've ever had.

My only reservation about the book is her chapter about the Canine Mystique where she explores the possibility of dogs having ESP with a less than skeptical mind. Her failure to look at the stories and research with a critical mind cause me to wonder about the other research she cites in the book-- it lessens her credibility a little.

However, with that one exception, I really enjoyed the book. If you have ever wondered why your dog behaves the way she does, then this is a great book for you to read.
4108056
I really enjoyed this book on a couple of different levels. Number one it's about dogs, especially those that are in dire need. It is heartwarming to see two people that start out and persevere in their desire to truly make a difference in the lives of so many dogs. The second part that I really loved though were the deep connections and the metaphysical aspects of our (human beings) existence and how we are indeed connected to all other life in general.

The individual stories of the dogs and the countryside of northern New Mexico were inspiring and knowing the area only made it more interesting. The real bonuses came though as Mr. Kotler explored the details, the setbacks and joys of the work that he and his wife got themselves into. When he then tied in so much of the new research about animal behavior and how we are intricately linked with both it and the overall environment of the earth itself it tended to both confirm some of my own ideas as well as give me pause about where we ourselves are headed as a species. We tend to forget that we are just one of many species of animals on earth and although incredibly successful in many regards our successes are not without risk, both to ourselves as well as the entire environment of the planet that sustains both us and all life on it!

I definitely recommend this book for any people who are interested in both our long history with dogs as well as our place in nature.
1703776
Jocelyn Kessler is a dog trainer and intuitive. In this book she shares several sessions in which she helps not only the dog, but the owners as well. Anyone who has a dog knows the deep bond that can grow between human and animal, and while Kessler highlights how often times that connection is good, she also shares incidents where it's not so good.

In one chapter, "Balancing Alpha Energy," she shares the story of two large dogs named Billy and Lila. Billy completely dominated the female dog. The owners also had an imbalance in the household. The husband encouraged this behavior in Billy, while also exhibiting the same tendencies toward his wife. Dogs are frequently at the mercy of our own energies.

Kessler works at the energetic level, akin to shamanic healing, while also trying to make the owners more aware of their own attitudes and behaviors, the way they "throw" their energy around. Dogs are highly tuned to this.

This book is fascinating. Whether you agree with Kessler's assessments (she often states how the dogs "know" why they're with you, how in some cases they "chose" their owners), I dare anyone to come away from her insights and not look at your relationship with your pet in a different light. If anything, it illuminates the deep caring and intelligence dogs carry within, which is hardly a surprise to dog-lovers.
2565487
Lisa Kemmerer's book, Sister Species is both inspiring and informative. It offers unique experiences in the animal justice movement, grounded in the leading edge theory of intersectionality.

Lisa's introduction is the best explanation I've read on intersectionality and ecofeminism.  She lays out the basics of how feminism and animal advocacy are linked.  Her introduction explains the philosophy in an easy-to-understand way for those new to the topic and helps those of us already familiar with the topic to fully grasp the importance of linking feminism to other-than-human animal issues.

The diversity of entries are uplifting and illuminating.  For some of us who have experienced the 'animal rights world' ourselves, we know that the much of the animal rights movement reflects that of the general society - patriarchal, white-supremacist, classist, ageist, etc.  This intersectional approach is the missing link that any social justice-oriented person would benefit from educating herself about.  Speciesism is so easy to overlook and this book does a great job bringing our unique experiences with nonhuman individuals to the forefront.  A. Breeze Harper's story of how her father encouraged her compassion was very touching.

As I read this collection of essays, I was touched by the authors' unique stories and also reminded of heart-touching, beautiful, meaningful moments in my life that awakened my compassion.  Reading it was an emotionally healing experience.  The ways that the authors turned their compassion and despair at what is done to other-than-human animals into positive action was inspiring as well.

This book shows why we need an intersectional approach to animal advocacy.  I loved the diversity of entries.  It delves into culturally taboo topics like racism, gender identities and how we project them onto animals, classism, environmental issues, and unique experiences that touched the authors' lives.

I highly, highly recommend this book to anyone who is saddened at the cruelty inflicted on animals, anyone who wonders why there is so much violence against women in our world, anyone who is concerned about the environment, and anyone who wants to co-create a kinder world in general.
4052956
It is accessible, insightful, worth having because it opens up ways to understand our surroundings, other beings, and their messages. This is a small book the size of an index card and about 1/4" thick. It is meant for quick reference, and has lists of common mammals, birds, insects, reptiles, sea life and FAQ about animal messengers. If you want more details, get Animal Speak. I consider the short tidbits about each animal guidance for my intuition -we need to meditate further on the meanings suggested by the book.
139238
Delightful and thought-provoking. Animal-human and animal-animal interactions are far deeper than we often give them credit, and this book explores the depth of relationships and feelings, and ways of animal communication. Us humans have a  lot to learn. Masson in a previous life was a psychotherapist, and he brings his insights into his relationships with cats, providing us ailurophiles with information about how best to relate and behave with our cat companions.
1293812
As an urban farmer, I often bump into people who exude a passion for wildlife in the city environment. The weekend birder, the feral cat advocate, the amateur photographer on nightly marauds hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive urban coyote. These folks always strike me as loan wolves among the pavement pounders, always with a keen eye out for the secret life of untamed animals around us. I often wonder what it would be like to host a dinner for them all, just to hear their stories and to see the world through their eyes.

City Creatures takes me to that place in a beautiful way. Through stories, poems, visual art, and photographs, Chicago's mysterious wildlife is revealed with such breadth that the volume feels like a kind of impressionistic encyclopedia of the animal world that lurks just under our noses. Regardless of whether you live in the windy city or another dense urban area, you will gain a new perspective from this book that is not unlike the childlike revelation that happens when one picks up a brick in the yard to expose a tiny universe of wiggling, squirmy insect life.

City Creatures is an invitation to become curious. It lifts the veneer and invites us to slow down and listen to our non-human neighbors.
1183390
This book is an absolute gem, from start to finish. The authors are inspirational and enlightening on a subject matter that needs to be talked about. This is about their journeys in adopting a compassionate lifestyle, that comes to fruition in the compelling storytelling.
This is a book I will continue to give to inspire people, as well as to read it many times myself , and keep enjoying the sensitivity, insights, hope of a better world for farmed animals, not to mention the delicious vegan recipes.
3197641
This book is delightful and informative, sure to please animal lovers, young and old. The writing is direct and clear, making it also a great choice for struggling and reluctant readers. The illustrations are paired with fun captions, attractively designed. One picture, of a pug puppy, could melt even a dog hater's heart. The choice of subjects--a parrot genius, a skydiving pug, and a talented pot-bellied pig--makes for a well-rounded combination. A book like this not only informs young readers, it could inspire them to learn how to train their own pets. This is a great addition to classroom libraries. Students will find it eye-catching and entertaining.
142988
As a dog, cat, and horse owner and zoo employee for many years, I loved this book!  Karen Pryor speaks with authority, passion, and intellectual integrity.  Her influence has been enormous, and it has been an influence for good.  Today "positive reinforcement" has become the accepted norm.  Karen Pryor's work can help pet owners, zookeepers, and professional animal trainers take that somewhat fuzzy concept, understand it, and implement it in effectively.

"Reaching the Animal Mind" is an incredibly rich account of her life's work, the developing science behind clicker training, and even some fascinating applications for humans.

Learning to deeply understand the hearts and minds of different kinds of animals takes patience, compassion, and sustained thought/attention.  This book is a rich resource for those who want to do that sort of work with the animals in their own lives.  Highly recommended.
1751021
I found the insights into dog consciousness fascinating!  It was an engrossing read - throughly interesting.  This book radically expanded my awareness of, and compassion for, what dogs and animals in general may be capable of feeling.  Thank you for writing this, I feel a lot more connected to my pets concerns now.  I highly recommend this book. It also makes an excellent, entertaining and intelligent gift for the animal lovers in your life.
206740
This thoroughly researched and lively book provides great insight into the inner lives of animals, including humans. I can't help but watch longer and listen more closely to the creatures around me after reading it.
4004010
Ted Kerasote has a gift for weaving passionate research into the fabric of a compelling narrative in a way that makes the world a better place for dogs. In his earlier book "Merle's Door," Kerasote blazed bold new trails in understanding the science of dog behavior through the eyes of his dog Merle, a story of friendship, laughs and tears. When he and Merle met on a white water rafting trip in the spring of 1991, Kerasote could never have imagined that his constant companion would become a messenger for the canine soul and an ambassador for the free-thinking dog.  Merle lived fourteen years, a life considered full, if not long, by most standards. For Kerasote though, fourteen years was not nearly enough. Two years after Merle's death, he began his search for a new pup. The search became a journey during which Kerasote refused to accept the relative brevity of a dog's life. The result is "Pukka's Promise: The Quest for Longer-Lived Dogs".

"Pukka's Promise" is an intrepid yet beautiful body of work, a wake-up call to help us rethink the way we look at the lives of our eternally loyal canine friends. It is also an engagingly heartwarming story that will transport you to Kerasote's log cabin at the base of the Tetons, in a chair next to his fireplace, with his new pup Pukka and Pukka's four-legged friends lying at your feet, daydreaming about their perpetually entertaining escapades. Kerasote's insights from Pukka's puppyhood shenanigans are both waggishly comical and profoundly intelligent. Kerasote is a master observer of the way we learn from our dogs as much as they learn from us - just when you think you know how your dog sees the world, he makes you stop to reconsider. Kerasote's work is full of passion and information, a blueprint for the fullness of the human-canine bond. Depending on the audience, however, the journey may have a few moments of controversy.

Kerasote suggests that six factors shorten the life span of our dogs: inbreeding; over-vaccination; environmental pollutants; poor nutrition; how the North American shelter system currently operates; and spaying and neutering. Each topic relates to the decisions Kerasote makes before acquiring his new dog and the choices he then makes while raising Pukka from a seven-week old pup to a strapping, athletic adult. The list of topics may make some readers bristle and others cautious, but Kerasote's findings on every issue are grounded in five years of exhaustive and impeccable research (detailed in 50 pages of footnotes and citations).  He challenges common medical, breeding and shelter practices without an insider's bias, and questions the environment and nutrition we chose for our dogs.

Some pet professionals, and perhaps even some pet owners, may debate and criticize Kerasote's proposals. Some of his ideas will be seen as brilliant, others dismissed as unenforceable or unreasonable. Either way, they will undeniably raise essential questions that will improve the future of our dogs, questions that are long overdue, questions raised by an author who is first and foremost a true dog lover.  In "Merle's Door", Kerasote showed that he can make you understand the scholarship of canine behavior by making you fall in love with Merle. In "Pukka's Promise" you can't help but embrace the questions, if not all of the provocative solutions, because you will indeed fall in love with Pukka and his band of furry friends.
2795854
I really enjoyed Learning from Dogs. Paul explores the research and history of dogs and humans, and pulls from his personal experience on rescuing and looking after many dogs over the years. I enjoyed how he shares his perspective on where we are as human beings in the 21st century, (not a good place!) and then looks at how we can learn specific lessons from dogs to support ourselves and the planet. There are many delightful, heartwarming stories written with such love an appreciation of our four legged friends. It is delightful!
2023992
As an animal admirer who has never had the opportunity to have an animal of my own, this was an eye-opening immersion as I felt I could experience the intense connection and devotion between animal and human through the words of the author. I quite enjoyed reading the various accounts provided throughout the novel. Houson did well to relate her stories to readers who have experienced all levels of human-animal devotion. Some passages spoke to my heart more than others, but overall "Devotion" was a well-written novel with beautiful prose. Hopefully soon, the kindle version of this novel will be formatted better for an easier read.