Best Book of 2010 - So Far

I have just begun reading an outstanding book on dogs. It's been lying on my bedside table for too, too long and with all the busyness in my life, I decided to take a few moments every day to slow down...and read.

The book is Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, And Know. It's written by Alexandra Horowitz. I have to tell you, even though I've only read 7 pages, I am totally in love with this book! Alexandra has my undying appreciation for writing this book. As I read through it, I will share tidbits for you. But, even so soon into it, I can honestly say you should go get a copy for yourself!

Let me quote from it, starting with Alexandra's first (un-numbered) page: "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." Attributed to Groucho Marx.

We next learn that the author is a dog person. I am a dog person. I am a cat person. But, my first and best love has always been dogs (until the Wabby - she has proven to me that cats are more mysterious than we ever knew!).

Yes, it's holiday time but...

I hope you will refrain from the idea of buying your kids a "pet" for Christmas, or any other holiday you're celebrating this time of year. We're most familiar with Christmas, being Christians, and as such, we're also familiar with the idea of having a puppy or kitten under the tree for our kids.

But, puppies and kittens aren't toys. They're living, breathing creatures. They require a lot of attention and care. They cost more than that initial investment (one hopes you're not contributing to puppy mills by buying in inappropriate places), including good food, a leash or a climbing tree (for cats), vaccinations, vet visits for illness, and more.

It's an acceptable practice in this country to buy pets for our kids at holiday or birthday time, but when the kids tire of taking care of their bundle of energy, those puppies and kittens end up at shelters, with sad eyes and confused minds.

What's Up with the Cat?

Here's a fact that might surprise you: Americans have more cats than dogs - as this USA Today story from last year says, "...cats outnumber dogs by more than 10 million (82 million to 72 million)." So why do dogs get all the attention and why do I have a book on my nightstand titled, "Why Dogs Are Better Than Cats"?

Well, I don't have a good answer for that - I love both dogs and cats and right now I am a proud cat owner, sans dog, for the time being. Our cat, Wabby, is very loving and cuddly and easy to take care of. Every morning I hold her for awhile, I walk around with her in my arms and she purrs in my ear and she loves looking at all the "up high" stuff (as she really can't see much past her nose, I don't think!)

SAVED! Rescued Animals and the Lives They Transform: A Must-read Book

A few months ago I received a book about rescued pets and I put off reading it because I knew it would make me cry. Just the thought of having to "rescue pets" makes me teary-eyed. I cannot bear the thought that someone's pet(s) are given up for adoption, left on the side of the road, or abandoned, however unintentionally (for instance, during and after Hurricane Katrina, people were shuffled off and forced to leave their pets behind).

This book, it turns out, is uplifting and inspiring: Saved - Rescued Animals and the Lives They Transform. The people Karin Winegar writes about are amazing people, with the best heartwarming stories I've ever read. Along with Karin's excellent story-telling, are the beautiful black and white photographs of Judy Olausen - which capture the true emotions in these wonderful stories of rescue.

Boy and Dog, Girl and Dog: A Relationship Built on Love

Found this article on breeding dogs over at Dogtime and it impressed me as worth sharing. I don't see the writer's name but the content is interesting, when you stop to think about the history of the bond between man and dog. Man, of course, is relative...it stands for "human"... not to exclude the girls.

The article talks about ancient dogs' first job as "acting as a combination of security and waste management." The barking being the security, one expects, and the willingness to eat whatever was leftover when the humans were done eating, is the waste management.

It's true that no one really knows how the dog was domesticated - maybe some children in a tribe adopted puppies and the bond between human and animal was born. Maybe dogs were helpful in hunting - by fetching birds or small mammals, something they would only do (I think) if they considered the hunter their leader. Maybe lots of things...

Speak, Spot, Speak! A Book that Gives Spot a Voice

I'm the lucky receiver of new books, on occasion. I like to think it's because I am devoted to providing good content on pets and pet care, here and on the Scratchings and Sniffings blog, but maybe it's because I'm so gaga over cats and dogs, in general. A devoted pet parent, you bet!

Recently I was thrilled to receive a new book by Dr. Nancy Kay, Specialist, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Her book, Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to LiIve a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life fits in well with this blog. We're all about helping your dog, and cat, live a long and happy, as well as long and healthy, life here at PurinaCare® Pet Health Insurance.

I haven't finished Dr. Nancy's book yet - it's substantial, as it should be, but I've visited her website, Speaking for Spot, and also her wonderful Speaking for Spot blog. There is a wonderful story there right now - about two pregnant Rottweilers - it's a must read. Hop over...

On her website she shares some questions we all wonder about, from time to time. The answers are in the book. But, I bet you've considered these questions before. I know I have...

A good book for the New Year

I've got a recommendation for a new book to kick off a new year. Tell Me Where if Hurts by Dr Nick Trout is about a day in the life of a veterinary surgeon at a large referral hospital in Boston.

It starts out with an early morning emergency call with a dog with a gastrointestinal problem and ends late the same night with a follow up on that same dog. In between there are a number of really interesting tales reminiscent of James Herriot.