Sorry I Pooped in Your Shoe by Jeremy Greenberg

Sorry I Pooped in Your Shoe (and Other Heartwarming Letters from Doggie) by Jeremy Greenberg

This isn't much of a dog book review. I simply love. love. love, love, love this book. I got it for 5 php. That's roughly 12 cents, and it was worth every penny.

Excerpts from the dog book. Lua's beta is a little slow in picking up the rules of the game. 

And I quote:

Please try to keep up! This is an important game that helps us establish pack order and I can't continue to outrank you if you won't play.

Indeed, some humans are slow. LOL.

One of my favorite stories is Sammy's letter of appreciation to his pack leader.

And again, I quote:

Most doggies have to hunt leaves one by one. But you conveniently rake them into little hills all around the yard. You even yell, "Sammy, I just raked those!" to let me know  that they're ready for me to jump into and rescatter all over the yard.

Indeed, humans are pawns and servants. LOL

Scaredy-cat Jasper

And for the last time, I quote:

Did you hear that? There's a ghost in the closet!

Indeed, humans are so dense. LOL

I read the entire book in a single seating. It had me laughing and crying at the same time.

Jeremy Greenberg authored a beautiful book of love letters made especially for dog-loving pawrents like us. I'd definitely recommend grabbing a copy of this book if you get a chance.

P.S. We hadn't gotten our Christmas Cards out because life was... well, life. 

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Should I be the Pack Leader of my Dogs?

Is Cesar's Way the Right Way?

A lot of trainers and behaviorists have heavily criticized Cesar Millan's training technique. Some say that the way he takes care of his pack in his Los Angeles Dog Psychology Center is wrong. Others have even gotten too far as to saying that it's cruel.

Animals Make Us Human by Temple Grandin and Catherine Johnson

In Temple Grandin and Catherine Johnson's book titled Animals Make Us Human, Temple Grandin explains that although she may disagree with some of Cesar's belief, particularly about how his grandfather became the pack leader of his dogs, what he is doing in the Dog Rehab Center may just be what's right for those canines (half of which used to be homeless).

"The Dogs at the Dog Psychology Center, though, are living in one of the most unnatural situations any dog can live in: thirty to forty unrelated animals and different breeds all stuck together inside one big enclosure. Those dogs have to form a pack to keep from ripping each other apart, and Cesar has done a brilliant job of making himself the pack leader instead of letting the dogs fight it out for the top spot."

Reference: Animals Make Us Human, A Dog's Life p.33

Does this mean I have to apply Cesar's way to my pack?

Not necessarily. In fact, Temple Grandin firmly believes that dogs need parents and not pack leaders. She explains that since dogs are juvenile wolves, they are expected to live with their parents, brothers and sisters. Her theory is that dogs underwent pedomorphosis ("arrested development") during their evolution. That's why, over time, some breeds lost the wolf-like features as well as the submissive behavior that made wolves live in harmony and function as a group (pack).

Bottom line, looks like being the "dog mom" or "dog dad" has been the right way after all.

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What If My Dog...? by Jim Evans Dog Book Review

I guess like parenting, dog raising doesn't have a perfect manual. This is the reason why I find it important to read books such as What If My Dog...? by Jim Evans. Just like Dr. Bruce Fogle's book, it aims to teach us dog owners how to enjoy our life with our four-legged friends to the fullest (armed with information to prepare us for canine mishaps and dog issues).

Have you ever asked yourself, "What if My Dog... pulls.. won't eat... barks... is aggressive... jumps up... is shaking... soils the rug?"

This is also one of the first books I've bought as dog lover. It's an easy read as it goes straight to the problem rather than provide brief histories and backgrounds before going to the canine nitty-gritty.

It's not that Dr. Jim Evans skimped on dog behavior and its causes. In fact, he reserved an entire chapter on how dogs learn, how dogs act, how dogs communicate. 

Number 55 says, "What if my dog gets into a fight with another dog?"

So as for the question, is it a good dog book for novice and existing dog owners? Yes, Indeedy! The way the scenarios were presented (with pictures and interesting canine comic drawings) makes it easier to read and more convenient.

Preventing Inappropriate Behavior takes an entire page. Its second page elaborates the advantages of crating. 

The pictures are entertaining and the color coded chapters keep it categorically organized. This dog book is divided into four chapters. Pink is for chapter 1,  green is for chapter 2, yellow is for chapter 3 and green is for chapter 4.

What If My Dog...? chapters are as follows:

Chapter 1- Understanding Dog Behavior and How It can be Shaped

Chapter 2- Mishaps and Problems Around the House and Outdoors

Chapter 3- Preventing and Coping with Ilnesses

Chapter 4- The Aging Dog- Maintaining Quality of Life in Old Age

So there you have it! Another dog book to entertain and educate at the same time.

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If Your Dog Could Talk...by Dr. Bruce Fogle (Dog Book Review)

I've never counted the number of dog books I've collected throughout the months. To my surprise, I've accumulated more than a handful. So I'm making June my dog book reviews month.

It's been more than a year since I took blogging seriously. I also wanted to participate in dog forums to be able to contribute to our community. It wasn't just right to share my experiences, I also wanted to help others in any way I could. In order for me to do this, I thought it was essential for me to learn the basics of dog behavior.

This page explains why dogs defend their territory. It's "subbed" in human perspective.

Terms like dominance, territorial aggression, boredom, spaying, neutering, potty training, puppy parenting, and other dog-related terms are just some of the topics I love reading about. So with no further ado, I'd like to share my very first book.

This is my first dog book. It has been with me for more than a year now.

This is Dr. Bruce Fogle's If Your Dog Could Talk... A training guide for humans. I also found this same book sold in one of the major bookstores in our country. I guess it's a good buy.

Who could resist puppy pictures?!?

I have to admit that the most important reason why I love this book is because of the pictures. The first time I read it, I only scanned the pages while reading the caption of each picture. That alone was very informative.

Amazingly enough, I learned a lot of dog behaviors and body languages by reading If Your Dog Could Talk. 

Look! There's a Snoopy-looking fellow at the bottom right corner.

If I was asked whether it was a great find for me, I would certainly say yes. The dog pictures helped me in identifying the signs of certain dog traits while the worded explanations expanded what those pictures said.

This is also one of the books that taught me about the history of dogs. What scientist believe their origin is, how they evolved and how they were domesticated.

Would it be a good starter book for a novice dog owner? Yes!

One of my favorite lines in this book happens to come from Dr. Fogle's foreword.

"In that sense, let me say right now, before I go any farther, that if you want an obedient, responsive, and well-mannered dog, do as I say (in the following pages), not as I do."

Dr. Fogle says this because he can't resist Macy's googly eyes. As quoted,

"... I look at her pleading eyes and can't help but let her behave as her canine abilities compel her to." 

So there you have it. Oh, I wasn't paid nor sent a copy of this book to review. I just wanted to share it with you.

P.S. Chooey wasn't injured again. That's a freshly bandaged muzzle because we brought her to the vet to have it changed. She charged us about $7 for it.

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Wedding Dogs: A Dog Book Review

Weddings are wonderful. And nothing makes it more special than to have all your loved ones spend such a momentous day with you. But when I say all, it doesn't just mean putting Aunt Bertha on a corner table or placing Uncle Joe as far away from the liquor bar, I meant including our fur babies with us.

Just one of the many funny pictures there is in this dog book. Wedding Dogs don't just capture the pretty and timeless, they also include the funny and squishy.

Wedding Dogs: A Celebration of Holy Muttrimony shares different newly wed moments in a fashion where their dogs are a part of that special day. May it be posing for wedding pictorials or walking down the aisle as part of the wedding entourage, there's no denying that dogs can make a wedding more fun and memorable. Wedding Dogs showcases those moments in an interesting and entertaining way.

Here's a priceless dog portrait of the Siberian Husky I call the "licking bandit".

The gassy guest, the tinkler and the licking bandit are just some of the many stories that's stuck to my mind while reading it. Of course, I'm not going to spoil any potential reader's fun by saying the names of each story's "guilty" party. Nonetheless, if you're an avid collector of dog books (or even wedding books), Wedding Dogs by Katie Preston Toepfer and Sam Stall is definitely a must have in your collection.

Wedding Dogs: A Celebration of Holy Muttrimony by Katie Preston Toepfer and Sam Stall

Finally, I'd like to thank Quirk Books' Eric Smith for making it possible for me to be a part of the first people to read this sweet and heartwarming book to be publicized on April 16, 2013.

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Dog Book Review: Spott's Canine Miscellany by Mark Darton

Hey, folks. I am once again proud to say that I've finished one of the dog books in my so-called mini-dog library. Spott's Canine Miscellany by Mark Darton makes a wonderful coffee table book.  This said, I am glad I've finished reading the entire 93 pages of dog trivia and facts. 

Spott's Canine Miscellany by Mark Darton Front Cover

The dog book contains dog related trivia, facts, medical and behavioral explanations, poems, short stories, sayings and terms that a dog lover should know about. 

When it comes to reading about dog trivia, Spott's Canine Miscellany may just be the book for you.

For instance, did you know that...

• Statistically speaking, female dog bites are twice as many as male dog bites.

• Dogs circle 3 times on average before they settle down in their resting spot. This is probably the reason why most dog beds are round-shaped.

• Dog tail-wagging isn't instinct. They learn this behavior during their first social encounters (most often from their mothers and siblings). By 7 weeks of age, puppies will have learned tail signals which is a necessary skill to be able communicate with others.

Spott's Canine Miscellany even has its own special black ribbon bookmark. 

I just love that I was able find this doggy treasure in a second hand book store. 

^_______^

This book cost me $0.40. 

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Our First Book Giveaway Winner is...

Drum Roll Please!!!

It's Mr. Kevin!!!

meowmeowmans of Animal Shelter Volunteer Life. 

Congratulations!!! We hope that you read this book to all your kitty friends.

I would like to thank everyone who joined our first blog giveaway and who helped in spreading the news. Concatulations. LOL ^_^

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Our First Book Giveaway : Follow the Dog Home

This Monday, I had talked about the lovely book written by Bob, Samantha and Kevin Walsh titled Follow the Dog Home. 

We won our copy from DogznPaws. Thanks again, Lisa.

Last month, I was emailed as to whether I would be interested to sponsor a book giveaway to you guys... And of course, I said yes in a heartbeat! My bloggyville friends have given so much to me that I've always wanted to do something in return.

So with no further ado, let me present to you the opportunity to own this wonderful heart-warming dog book. This contest will end next Sunday 12:01 AM EST. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Note: Although it breaks my heart to limit the coverage of this giveaway, the rules require the winner  to be residing within continental US or Canada.

Edit: I extended to contest because I will be going on a business trip tomorrow until Saturday afternoon. Good luck, guys!

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Follow the Dog Home : A Book Review

A month ago, I had entered DogznPaws' contest winning myself a book written by Bob, Samantha and Kevin Walsh titled Follow the Dog Home. We finally received the book last August 28,2012 after claiming it in our local post office.

Thank you for the book, Lisa! We loved it so much.

Follow the Dog Home talks about 3 generations of dog ownership and how these dogs have made a significant difference in the Walsh's lives.  Yes, non dog-lovers may find it hard to relate to but it's certainly a book worth reading (with emphasis on well-written plots, amazing stories, comedic experiences and heart wrenching page-turners). 

If you read it and you're a dog lover, you'll most likely find yourself nodding, laughing and crying at each dog chapter. If you read it and you're just a book lover, you'll appreciate the vivid descriptions, hilarious and dramatic aspects of each dog plot, and the smooth transition from one storyteller to another recreating the same moment in their own point of view.

I would have loved sharing my favorite stories with you but they were too many to mention. And that would just beat the logic of making a review. Although I have to say, my two favorite stories are those of Dannie and Susie.

In Honor of Our Mischief Monday Tradition... 

Looks like dogs, cats and pawrents aren't the only ones capable of mischief.

I had my niece reading Dannie's story (just the last 2-3 pages of it) and this is how she reacts. Why you may ask does she have a blanket on top of her head... Well,  that's because she, like her aunt, couldn't help but cry at the frustrating turn of events. 

So here's my personal message to the Walsh Family: Follow the Dog Home, written by three generations, made two generations of MyDogsLove.Me cry. Thank you for sharing your lives with us.

Book Image Source

You can purchase this wonderful book at amazon.com

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