Where the Fur Flies

Human-Animal bonds. Americans love their pets! Just look at all the books written on this subject. Every month there are one or two new titles. This bond is mutually beneficial to our health and well-being. It has existed for thousands of years. In addition to the health benefits, animals actively assist us in many other ways. An unspoken, deeply felt bond is created between animals and people!

The following books are just a few of the many wonderful stories where animals of all types have made our lives richer and fuller. This bond is so good for both species!

Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale or How I Learned About Life and Love with a Blind Wonder Cat by Gwen Cooper. Once in a lifetime story of an extraordinary cat and his human companion. This story about love and hope is funny and moving for anyone who has fallen in love with an animal with a disability. A must read!

An Eagle Named Freedom: My True Story of a Remarkable Friendship by Jeff Guidry. The moment Jeff saw the baby eagle with broken wings, his life was changed. "Freedom" couldn't fly but she had Jeff. A very moving story.

Hachi: a Dog's Tale. DVD. Based on a true story from Japan, it is inspirational and heartwarming. I loved this movie!

Angel by My Side: The True Story of a Dog Who Saved a Man and a Man Who Saved a Dog by Mike Lingenfelter. This is about Mike and his rescue golden retriever. When two serious heart attacks and open heart surgery threaten to take away most of Mike's reason for living, Dakota, an extraordinary service dog, is by his side to help him gain his independance. Dakota was '1999 Service Dog of the Year' by Delta Society and was chosen as 'Humanitarian of the Year' by the National Sertoma Club of Dallas. Dakota was the first non-human recipient in history for this award.

Why We Ride: Women Writers on the Horses in Their Lives. Horses are chosen for their beauty, ability, trust, and friendship. They teach us something about becoming stronger, better people. Based on this trust, this is truly a symbiotic relationship. A great book for both horse owners and horse lovers.

Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl by Stacey O'Brien. I loved this book. The author captured the essence of the soul of Wesley. It is funny, fascinating and powerful. A must read about selfless devotion.

Making Rounds with Oscar: The Extraordinary Gift of an Ordinary Cat by David Dosa. Touching! A must read for cat lovers or anyone with compassion for humans in a medical setting. This story proves there are no ordinary cats!

For more books about the human-animal bond, check out the November 2010 display by the large print books.

Where the Fur Flies

Tigers are awesome! This may be why we use them in our literature and advertising as in Detroit Tigers, the Flying Tigers, Pooh Bear & Tigger, Tony the Tiger, and even the Tigers of Tammany. This year, 2010, the Chinese New Year will honor the "Year of the Tiger."

The tiger is a member of the Felidae family. They are the largest of the four "big cats." Check out our materials for a better understanding of this majestic creature. Even in fiction writings, their grandeur is apparent.

Tiger by Stephen Mills. What does a tiger do in its spare time? Learn their behavior, social structure, breeding patterns, family life, eating, and communication habits. Also addressed is the religious significance of tigers, conservation efforts, and where to observe them in the wild.

Life in the Valley of Death: The Fight to Save Tigers in a Land of Guns, Gold, and Greed by Alan Rabinowitz. "This book is not your typical chronicle of rescuing wildlife. Rather it's a clear-eyed rendering of conservation's unruly, dangerous, and chaotic side." (Audubon) If you have read Rabinowitz's Jaguar: Struggle and Triumph in the Jungles of Belize, you will enjoy this story of his crusade to save the tiger. This is also a preferred book on the Riverhead Reads book list for winter 2010.

The Tribe of Tiger: Cats and Their Culture by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas. From the author of The Hidden Life of Dogs, Thomas will have cat lovers purring. Though you may not always agree with her, she will provide insights into how all cats, big or little, are similar. The most enthralling subject in this book proves to be the tiger. A delightful book for those who don't mind her sometimes wild observations.

Tigers in Red Weather: A Quest for the Last Wild Tigers by Ruth Padel. Take a journey with Padel in her memoirs to various parts of the eastern hemisphere to spot tigers. Learn how and why the number of these beautiful animals are diminishing. Padel still manages to give us hope by providing a list of tiger-focused charities for concerned readers.

And for those who want to enjoy the tiger in motion, try India: Kingdom of the Tiger by IMAX cinema. Journey to India and come face to face with the Bengal tiger. Enjoy this stunning clarity of the tiger at work on DVD.

Another DVD, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, though not about the lives of tigers & dragons, takes the name of two powerful creatures. Set in 19th century China, two master warriors come face to face as if they were a tiger and dragon. Action packed!

Where the Fur Flies

"My horses not only taught me riding but they also made me understand many a wisdom of life besides." Words of Alois Podhajsky of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Austria. "The world's past has been born [sic] on his back. We are his heirs; he is our inheritance." From: "Ode to the Horse" How true this is if you love horses. Horses have played an important role in the history of the world.

Enjoy the many different books and media we have to offer. Here are a few of my favorites.

Hollywood Hoofbeats: Trails Blazed Across The Silver Screen by Petrine Day Mitchum.
You will have fun identifying horses from your favorite TV shows and silver screen movies. Tricks of the trade are also discussed such as the proper way to teach a horse to fall on cue. These behind-the-scenes portraits of the horses, their trainers, owners, and co-stars will bring you to a 'galloping good read.'

Mary White. Mary White lived from 1904-1920. She was the daughter of William Allen White, a well known Kansas state journalist. This film is based on the story that he wrote as a tribute to his daughter, an equestrian, whose outlook on life is was refreshing. You don't even need to be a horse lover to enjoy this.

Horseplay: A Novel by Judy Reene Singer. Judy Van Brunt catches her husband in another relationship. She decides she has had enough. She quits her job and heads south to work on a horse farm. There, she shares an apartment with three other women and a teenager. Working with horses and her friends outweights any problems. Those who love horses will enjoy this light, funny story.

My Horses, My Teachers by Alois Podhajsky. This story is a literary monument to Podhajsky's equine teachers and companions of a lifetime. It is full of love, humor, sadness and devotion to his four-legged friends. Not only did the Lippizaners fulfill his life, but the thoroughbreds helped him to win a bronze medal in the 1936 Olympics.

Full Cry by Rita Mae Brown. This is the third novel in the foxhunting series with Jane Arnold, master of the foxhounds. She leads us into another intricate, witty, who-done-it murder with the Jefferson Hunt Club members.

Where the Fur Flies

Summer is here and family trips are being planned. Don't forget to plan for your furry friends as well. If you think of your pet as a family member, their comfort and safety is vital. Check out our travel books with pets. There is information on accommodations, airlines, dog parks, national parks, emergency clinics and more. Relax with a fiction or mystery about traveling with your animals or about petsitting. Remember to provide shade and fresh water for all outside animals. Enjoy the summer!

Here are a few for the the road...

Fodor's Road Guide USA. Where To Stay With Your Pet

Take Your Pet Too! : Fun Things To Do!

Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA PetBook.

Vacationing With Your Pet! : Eileen's Directory Of Pet-Friendly Lodging.

Check out the Vacation Station display for these and similar books.

And for your reading pleasure, take a look at these...

Travels With Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck. Travel with Mr. Steinbeck and his playful poodle, Charley, as they explore and experience American in the 1960s. The book

starts out from Sag Harbor.

A Cat On A Beach Blanket by Lydia Adamson. Housesitting in the Hamptons turns deadly when a poet is killed and Alice is the prime suspect.

Where the Fur Flies

Happy National Pet Week, May 3, 2009!

Pets play a remarkable role in our lives. Their love and endless hours of companionship help improve our health and well being. We as owners can return that favor by making sure their lives are healthy and wonderful. Our collection is so diverse that you are sure to have no problem finding something that will maintain or improve your furry friend's life.

One Nation Under Dog: Adventures In The New World Of Prozac-Popping Puppies, Dog Park Politics, and Organic Pet Food by Michael Schaffer. A researched, jaw-dropping, laugh-out-loud expose of our love affair with the pets in our lives.

Your Older Cat: A Complete Guide To Nutrition, Natural Health Remedies, and Veterinary Care by Susan Easterly. A good book that addresses the special health issues for the aging cat. It has convenient sidebars for quick reference.

The Cage and Aviary Bird Handbook by Tony Tilford. Well-written and useful. It covers purchasing, care, and health issues. A fun book to browse as well as to read.

Practical Horse Massage: Techniques for Loosening and Stretching Muscles by Renate Ettl. Learn the techniques and stretching exercises that will benefit your horse physically. Not only is it fun, but your horse will love you for it!

Where the Fur Flies

Each day we hear of wonderful stories about human-animal relationships. Nothing can prepare us for the impact animals have in our lives. Below are a few of the true and wonderful human-animal stories that will touch your soul.

The Angel By My Side: The True Story of a Dog Who Saved a Man...and a Man Who Saved a Dog by Michael Lingenfelter & David Frei. Anyone who loves to watch the Westminster dog show on TV will recognize the name David Frei, one of the commentators for the show. His book is about a very special Golden Retriever dog with unique, life-saving talents. "Dakota" was named 1999 Service Dog of the Year by the Delta Society.

Amazing Gracie: A Dog's Tale by Dan Dye & Mark Beckloff. "Gracie" is a deaf and partially blind albino Great Dane with a delicate constitution and a penchant for small miracles. This book was nominated as a Young Adult Choice for 2002. "Gracie" also inspired owners Dan & Mark to start the bakery known as 'Three Dog Bakery'.

Wildlife can also teach us so much about life. Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl by Stacey O'Brien. Stacey was a student biologist who worked with owls. "Wesley" came into her life as a four-day-old barn owl. A very educational, captivating, loving story. A must read for all ages.

Enslaved By Ducks: How One Man Went from Head of the Household to Bottom of the Pecking Order by Bob Tarte. If you ever thought about caring for many animals, this is the book for you! You will find it useful and even have second thoughts about how many animals your really, really need or want. Owners will chuckle at the many situations presented, and pet owners will identify with them.

Beagle at large! Mornings with Barney: The True Story of an Extraordinary Beagle by Dick Wolfsie. I enjoyed this immensely! It was comical and so true for anyone who has ever owned a hound. This little beagle brought so much joy, happiness, and fun to a small town in Indiana.

Where the Fur Flies

Love Animals? Of course you do or you wouldn't be reading this blog. Human-animal relationships have become a popular topic. Therapy dogs, service animals, even wildlife viewing, have enhanced the lives of humans. We have great books by authors such as Jane Goodall, Caesar Millan, and Monty Roberts to further our appreciation of animals. The following selections will make you laugh and cry. Enjoy and please make comments! I love to hear from all you animal lovers.

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched The World by Vicki Myron. As a kitten left in the book-drop bin, this special cat charmed his way into the lives of the people of Spencer, Iowa.

Chosen By A Horse: A Memoir by Susan Richards. A charming story of a women whose hurts from a difficult past are healed with the help of an abused horse rescued by the SPCA. This special relationship alters her life.

Dog Man: An Uncommon Life On A Faraway Mountain by Martha Sherrill. This gripping biography tells how one man saved the entire breed of Akita dogs during WWII.

Duma, starring Campbell Scott & Hope Davis, is a DVD. Watch the unbreakable bond of friendship between a young boy and a cheetah.

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After having a fun day outside, you may just want to relax with a good animal movie. We have old time favorites and plenty of new movies for your enjoyment.

Funny movies such as The Cat From Outer Space may be just the one you were looking for!

Looking for adventure/action? The Colt is a sure bet with its Civil War setting

and is based on a true story.

Inspired by a true story? In the popular movie Eight Below, a scientific expedition is forced to leave behind their team of beloved sled dogs due to a sudden accident and perilous weather conditions in Antarctica. The dogs must struggle for survival slone in the intense frozen wilderness for over six months.

Moondance Alexander is a very nice family movie about a 15-year-old girl who befriends a horse.

Where the Fur Flies

As you enjoy the nice weather, gardening, and preparing for outdoor events, think about the animals whose territory is on the brink of extinction. Our selection of books will help you understand how and why they are losing their "space." Reading just one book will make you aware of how precious our environment is to all living creatures. Compare older books with the new. Do you think things have changed for the better?

Jaguar: Struggle and Triumph in the Jungles of Belize by Alan Rabinowitz.

A fascinating story of how a young scientist from Brooklyn blazes the trails in Central America to study the jaguar.

Going, Going, Gone?:Animals and Plants on the Brink of Extinction and How You Can Help by Malcolm Tait

An easy to read book that includes fish, mammals, feathered species, and even plant life. It gives you a 'fact box' highlighting pertinent information on the subject.

The Salmon: Their Fight for Survival by Anthony Netboy

As the copyright for this book is 1974, it makes for interesting comparisons with newer books. Let us know what you learned!

The Ten Trusts: What We Must Do To Care For The Animals We Love by Jane Goodall & Marc Bekoff

World-renowned behavioral scientists set forth ten trusts that we must honor as custodians of the plant. This book will enrich your perspective regarding how we "love" on this planet.

Where the Fur Flies

Spring and baby animals. What a joy! It is also a time when many families decide to bring a pet into their home. Before you do, check out our large selection of books. What a great way to make the "pet of your life" the right one.


For busy households, a reptile or amphibian might be the best choice. Check out the options available in The 25 Best Reptile and Amphibian Pets by R.D. Bartlett.

Another book to check out for that 'perfect pet' is: Great Pets! An Extraordinary Guide To More Than 60 Usual and Unusual Family Pets by Sara Bonnett Stein.

For those who have recently selected a kitten or puppy, you might want to read one of Mordecai Siegal's popular books, I Just Got a Kitten: What Do I Do? or I Just Got a Puppy: What Do I Do?

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April is poetry month. Let's read some great poems about our beloved animals. They will make you laugh, cry, feel great, and love those critters even more.

Animal Blessings: Prayers and Poems Celebrating Our Pets by June Cotner. This is a lovely book with religious aspects.

A Book of Animal Poems compiled by William Cole. It contains poems on species from farm animals to water creatures.

Ogden Nash's Zoo by Ogden Nash. Another lovely book on all varieties of animals, insects, reptiles, etc.

Where the Fur Flies

Love animals? You heard it "straight from the horse's mouth" that here you will find books, videos, DVDs, etc., on everything from dogs and cats to lions and tigers. Keeping your animals healthy and happy to just enjoying a good story is sure to make this site "the cat's meow!"

Spring is in the air. Losing weight is not only for humans but also for pets.
My Fat Dog by Martha Garvey and My Fat Cat by the same author will help you get your furry winter couch potatoes on a slim down program in 10 easy steps. By the time summer comes, they'll be dancing up a storm.