Book Description
Disposable Dogs is an unforgettable collection of 70 captivating, true stories of dogs from across the United States who were outcasts until they met up with caring people who recognized their worth--in some cases just hours before the lovable animals were scheduled to die.
Readers will meet dogs who are smart, heroic, funny, loyal--all sorts of special pets with extraordinary experiences to share. There's the young Saint Bernard who was adopted from a shelter at the eleventh hour and went on to become the mascot for a professional football team...the neighborly golden retriever who was abandoned when her owner died and soon afterward saved a toddler from falling off a cliff...the elderly blind mutt and deaf old mongrel who found each other near the end of their lonely lives and remained soul mates forever.
These and scores of other tales are sure to make the reader laugh, reflect, admire and, perhaps, swallow hard when an unexpected lump wags its tail in the reader's throat. Disposable Dogs celebrates the meaningful, wondrous lives that have been rescued by good people who make a difference.
Customer Reviews:
Worthwhile reading. Very touching........2007-02-23
I found the stories touching and at the same time heartwarming. In a time when the world as we know it can be cruel to mans best friend, it lets the readers know how kindness and compassion is still prevalent. It makes you realize how much hope and love abandoned dogs and cats can still give us after their hard and sometimes heartbreaking events.
Disposable Dogs.......2007-01-09
The precious face on the cover of this book sets the tone perfectly. And the description beneath the picture says it all. Heartwarming, True Stories of COURAGE and COMPASSION. Seventy dogs are written about and you'll feel like you've known each one of them. You'll laugh and you'll cry about them and for them. A particular favorite is Keeley who was shot and left for dead, but she always had the will to live, and did. "Humans could take a lesson from dogs who have suffered but refused to give up. They never look back. They just pick up and go forward." Amen to that.
Special stories of special dogs!.......2007-01-09
For the dog lover - an insight in to the stories and lives of very special dogs.A must read for dog lovers.
Great book on dogs who did not give up........2007-01-05
I enjoyed this book about "throw away" dogs and how they persevered through lots of suffering. Many had very rough starts and it is amazing to me how these dogs really do live in the moment and don't let a rough start keep them from trusting again.
Disposable Dogs.......2006-11-10
Too juvenile for adults, and not likely that children would really enjoy it.
Book Description
Evidence is mounting that animal abuse, frequently embedded in families scarred by domestic violence and child abuse and neglect, often predicts the potential for other violent acts. As early intervention is critical in the prevention and reduction of aggression, this boo encourages researchers and professionals to recognize animal abuse as significant problem and a human public-health issue that should be included as a curriculum topic in training. The book is an interdisciplinary sourcebook of original essays that examines the relations between animal maltreatment and human interpersonal violence, expands the scope of research in this growing area, and provides practical assessment and documentation strategies to help professionals confronting violence do their jobs better by attending to these connections. This book brings together, for the first time, all of the leaders in this emerging field. They examine contemporary research and programmatic issues, encourage cross-disciplinary interactions, and describe innovative programs in the field today. The book also includes vivid first-person accounts from "survivors" whose experiences included animal maltreatment among other forms of family violence.
Customer Reviews:
Thorough Review of Literature.......2001-02-08
This book is very abundant in resarch and exploration of the link between animal abuse and intimate violence. Addtionally, they focus on children and pet-care programs in the latter part of the book. This portion is signifcant since these programs assist in preventing further domestic violence and animal abuse. Frank Ascione and Phil Arkow produced a very good book, and this book should be read by all within the domestic violence field, vetererians, and law enforcement officials.
Book Description
Compassion fatigue---the exhaustion caused by the demands of being empathic and helpful to those who are suffering---is found at every level among the underserved, underappreciated, and uncomplaining caregivers in animal-related fields. In this ground-breaking book, two prominent leaders in the field examination the causes of compassion fatigue and offer help to those who suffer from it.
Compassion Fatigue in the Animal-Care Community is a must-read for
• animal shelter employees, volunteers, and board members
• veterinarians, and veterinary practice and veterinary hospital staffs
• wildlife rehabilitators
• breed-rescue or equine-rescue volunteers
Customer Reviews:
Why We Wrote This Book.......2006-04-22
Several years ago, Bob Roop, a VP at the Human Society US approached me about writing a book for the Society because of the enormous need. The need was reflected in the research conducted by the Society among members of the animal care community utilizing a survey measure I helped to develop. The results were very revealing. Although the people who dedicated their lives to working for the protection and care of animals had very low burnout and very high job satisfaction, they had surprisingly high compassion fatigue; that they were literally traumatized by their work. It was as if they were addicted in that they were doing things they liked despite it hurting them. This is not unlike others who worked with the traumatized - social workers, the clergy, nurses, child protection workers, war journalists, and so many others.
Being an academic researcher, most of my books are geared to fellow academics. Bob and the Human Society Press staff helped me shift my writing to make it more practical and readable. Together, Bob and I did our best to convey what we know about the compassion fatigue (secondary or vicarious trauma effects from working with the suffering), how to recognize it, how to get rid of it, and how to avoid it. We tried to include as many practical tips and methods to achieve these goals. Did we succeed? We hope that the reader will tell us any everyone else reading these reviews the answer to this question.
Finally a book to help those who care for our animals........2006-04-12
"Compassion Fatigue in the Animal-Care Community" is a supportive book for those in the animal care industry, particularly those who work in shelters and see a lot of abused and sick and lonely animals.
Animal Care workers are vulnerable to Compassion Fatigue, a form of PTSD., physical, mental and emotional exhaustion because of their unique job stresses. Job stresses include very ill animals, euthenasia, not enough time, lack of team work, and at times difficult pet owners.
This book explains what Compassion Fatigue is, how it is different than Burnout, and how to measure that against Compassion Satisfaction. What are the stressors that can lead to compassion fatigue? What can you do about it if you see it in yourself and others? This book by psychologists, Figley & Roop present self help resources, exercises, suggestions and tips to help yourself and your co-workers.
The book is sensitively written and extremely respectful to those who entered the field in the first place because they love animals. They don't always feel that their work is valued and this book encourages the self-care they deserve. This book would be useful for those entering veterinary schools, animal care managers, shelter employees and volunteers. P.S. This would be a wonderful book for people in the helping profession not just the animal community.
Book Description
Buddhism ought to be an animal rights religion par excellence. It has long held that all life forms are sacred and considers kindness and compassion the highest virtues. Moreover, Buddhism explicitly includes animals in its moral universe. Buddhist rules of conduct—including the first precept, "Do not kill"—apply to our treatment of animals as well as to our treatment of other human beings.
Consequently, we would expect Buddhism to oppose all forms of animal exploitation, and there is, in fact, wide agreement that most forms of animal exploitation are contrary to Buddhist teaching. Yet many Buddhists eat meat—although many do not—and monks, priests, and scholars sometimes defend meat-eating as consistent with Buddhist teaching.
"The Great Compassion" studies the various strains of Buddhism and the sutras that command respect for all life. Norm Phelps, a longtime student of Buddhism and an acquaintance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, answers the central questions of whether Buddhism demands vegetarianism and whether the Buddha ate meat. He is not afraid to examine anti-animal statements in Buddhist lore—particularly the issues of whether Buddhists in non-historically Buddhist countries need to keep or to jettison the practices of their historical homelands.
Customer Reviews:
The compelling case for not eating animals or animal products from a Buddhist perspective.......2007-01-10
This is a wonderful book about the direct connection between eating animals and products made from animals and the unimaginable suffering caused by the production of food and other consumer products made from the bodies of animals. For those who are curious about what the Buddha and the dharma said about these issues, Norm Phelps presents a thorough and compelling review of the Buddha's teachings. He also responds directly to the "justifications" offered in support of eating animals and products made from animals. A very important contribution to the "modern day" view of the dharma and animal slaughter. Very highly recommended.
Compassion for all.......2006-02-22
I love Norm Phelps. Really. As a vegan who was drawn to Buddhism because of its philosophy of interconnectedness and compassion, imagine my dismay when I discovered that some Buddhists ate meat. Phelps has helped me to understand the social and historical context of the various forms of Buddhism, as well as the excuses of Buddhists when it comes to eating animals. Rather than throw up his hands in disgust, he encourages the reader to think 'OK,this is wrong - but that doesn't mean that Buddhism is to blame'. There is a phrase called 'idiot compassion' in Buddhism, but Phelps doesn't indulge in that. He is reasonable, fair but firm, pulling no punches when it comes to examining the ethical 'loopholes' that some Buddhists create to justify their diet. However, he offers hope also, in the form of compassionate alternatives. There is a better way, a way that liberates animals from suffering as well as liberating ourselves from cruelty and self-seeking behaviours. All animals, including us, deserve no less - so read this book, be thankful for this big-hearted, compassionate and inspiring writer - and hopefully you too will take a few brave steps towards a kinder way of life. There are a million and one good reasons to be veggie - or even better, vegan. With a wealth of great recipe books (and gorgeous food), benefits to the animals, your own health, the environment and the world's hungry, it's never been a better time to make the change.
A Ground-breaking book!.......2004-08-21
The Great Compassion: Buddhism & Animal Rights joins Roshi Philip Kapleau's To Cherish All Life and Bodhipaksa's Vegetarianism as the only readily available books on this subject matter. However, the breadth and scope of The Great Compassion mark it as a truly groundbreaking work in this field, indeed, in western Buddhism.
Compassion author Norm Phelps leaves no stone - or excuse - unturned. His book takes us through moving and horrific descriptions of the treatment of animals in factory farms, and the biological foundations of pain and pleasure - evidence of pain perception, including fish and amphibians - and on to the inseparable link between vegetarianism and compassion. He compares the compassion of Buddhism as it stands against other religions and philosophies and offers concise descriptions of compassion, loving-kindness, and the Five Precepts. Phelps dives deeply into the confusion over the transcribing and translation of the Buddha's words and thoroughly discusses the over-rated "three-fold rule" of meat eating. The author has a strong grasp of Buddhist theology and history, and he relates all this information, which is sometimes quite upsetting, with a sense of wit. He thoroughly and convincingly tears apart all the ridiculous arguments held by Buddhists that are attached to flesh foods, like the attachments to vegetarianism (how can one be attached to compassion?), "the Buddha ate meat, so why can't I?" (a claim that has now been widely discredited by historians), and other cloaks behind which meat-eating Buddhists hide.
Compassion's complete dismemberment of all the myths and arguments regarding vegetarianism in Buddhism can only be ignored by the blindest of practitioners. The simple truths contained in these pages can not be discounted, even by the teachers Phelps takes to task for their disparaging remarks on vegetarianism and compassion.
Above all there are two resounding, important ideals that emanate from this work. The first is the ideal of ultimate truth, for which all Buddhists strive, vs. relative truth, in which we all reside. Not only has this been a stumbling block for Buddhists through the ages, but it has provided an excuse for people to defend their bad behaviors. The shallow understanding of Emptiness that says "there is no animal being eaten or person eating the animal" as a loophole to eat animals is as ludicrous as saying "there is no rape victim and no rapist" as a defense for rape.
The second ideal is that "It's not about us; it's about the animals." This statement is not only true in the context of vegetarianism, but in Buddhism as a whole. We do not help the homeless for ourselves, we do not save animals for ourselves, we do not volunteer and give money to charities for ourselves. We are offering service for those who are served. It is the Bodhisattva ideal.
The Great Compassion is thoroughly researched and extremely well-written and despite the descriptions of factory farms and my disappointment over seeing so many Buddhist teachers and students disparaging our precious scriptures with their anti-compassion remarks, it is, in fact, a pleasure to read. This book gives me renewed hope that western Buddhism will evolve into a religion of compassion, foresight and beauty that Buddhism has always been destined to become.
Book Description
Many of us keep pet animals; we rely on them for companionship and unconditional love. For some people their closest relationships may be with their pets. In the wake of the animal rights movement, some ethicists have started to re-examine this relationship, and to question the rights of humans to "own" other sentient beings in this way. In this engaging and thought-provoking book, Stephen Webb brings a Christian perspective to bear on the subject of our responsibility to animals, looked at through the lens of our relations with pets--especially dogs. Webb argues that the emotional bond with companion animals should play a central role in the way we think about animals in general, and--against the more extreme animal liberationists--defends the intermingling of the human and animal worlds. He tries to imagine what it would be like to treat animals as a gift from God, and indeed argues that not only are animals a gift for us, but they give to us; we need to attend to their giving and return their gifts appropriately. Throughout the book he insists that what Christians call grace is present in our relations with animals just as it is with other humans. Grace is the inclusive and expansive power of God's love to create and sustain relationships of real mutuality and reciprocity, and Webb unfolds the implications of the recognition that animals too participate in God's abundant grace. Webb's thesis affirms and persuasively defends many of the things that pet lovers feel instinctively--that their relationships with their companion animals are meaningful and important, and that their pets have value and worth in themselves in the eyes of God. His book will appeal to a broad audience of thoughtful Christians and animal lovers.
Customer Reviews:
Extremely Insightful.......2000-07-04
I have read virtually everything I can find dealing with theology and animals, because of my strong interest in both, and I find this is the most insightful book in print. Webb offers profound wisdom in his thinking about human/animal relations from a Judeo-Christian perspective, and his analysis of other writers' thoughts is very cogent. This is a serious and challenging book, but it is so well-written that it should be readily accessible to wide audiences.
Steve
What Animal Lovers Always Knew.......1998-03-27
I loved this book, especially the section devoted to after-life of animals. I ride endurance horses, (long distance competitive riding) and KNOW what a bond with an animal is. My champion endurance horse and I completed over 3000 miles together before a blood disease claimed his life in January. I've never felt separation like that before. As I have said many times since then, "There are a lot of people I would have rather buried that day than my best friend, my horse" The author captures many of these solid and two-way relationships. My own pastor has a hard time relating to the grace of God shown between humans and their animals. Animal lovers knew it all along!
Book Description
Do Animals Have Feelings?
According to
Kristin von Kreisler, the answer is an undeniable yes. Here, she shares dozens of absorbing, true stories of animals who've risked their lives to keep the human they love out of danger. You'll read of incredibly heroic acts—from the dog who swallows a firecracker to protect a toddler, to the horse who runs through traffic to save an injured woman. You'll come away from this profoundly moving book with a deeper appreciation for the indispensable role animals play in our daily lives.
"Remember some of the feelings you had as a child for the animals to whom you were closest . . . That is what this book is all about."
—Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, from the foreword
"An inspiring collection of animal loyalty, love, and bravery. No one can deny the emotional impact of this anecdotal book."
—Publishers Weekly
"An extraordinary combination of incredible research and deep feeling."
—Cleveland Amory, author of Ranch of Dreams and The Cat Who Came for Christmas
"Through dozens of inspiring true stories, Kristin von Kreisler makes a strong case for a 'controversial premise'—that animals demonstrate genuine acts of compassion toward others every day. This book will remove the 'controversial' from the premise!"
— Paul G. Irwin, president of The Humane Society of the United States
"Ms. von Kreisler is fearless, intriguing, and herself compassionate. Highly recommended."
— Roger A. Caras, president of the ASPCA
Customer Reviews:
The Compassion of Animals.......2005-05-03
I recommend this book highly but be prepared to cry when you read some of the stories. In one story, a dog gets in front of a rattlesnake to save a little baby and gives up his own life doing so.
The author does a splendid job of explaning how animals have compassion for other animals and human beings.
Wonderful Collection of Animal Good Deeds.......2001-05-14
If you are not animal lover, you will be after reading this book. It is a gem!
For people who love animals.......2001-03-10
These stories are warm and inspiring. My 12 year old daughter has read it a few times now, cover to cover. Great for anyone to read who loves and appreciates animals. This book really grabbed me.
For people who love animals.......2001-03-10
These stories are warm and inspiring. My 12 year old daughter has read it a few times now, cover to cover. Great for anyone to read who loves and appreciates animals. This book really grabbed me.
changing pardigms.......2001-03-07
I recently finished this remarkable book. I must say I listened to it (from a tape from the Blind Center) while working on a portrait of a dog for a friend. I have always believed in the compassion of animals, having several 'Animal Angels' in my own life. Kristin's stories of true compassion verify what every animal owner & lover knows in their own heart. One of the saddest comments, after asking prominent Scientists, were that animals performed the compassionate acts out of self interest. After all of the stories, as well as my own experiences, I can say thankfully ,that we are living in a time of changing thoughts. I am more than happy to recommend this book to all of my friends, and lovers of animals of all kinds.
Customer Reviews:
Read better books-the way some stories are explained leave you wondering--"WHAT?" But is an ok Read.......2007-05-04
Book in Awesome shape!!!!
Beautifully inspirational.......2003-03-06
This book is beautifully inspirational, describing amazing acts of kindness by an assortment of animals. Arlene Millman, author of BOOMERANG - A MIRACLE TRILOGY (The tale of a remarkable Boston Terrier).
Incredibly heart-warming.......2000-02-05
A most beautiful collection of inspiring stories. This book tells tales about almost every animal, from mice to elephants. You will discover something new in every page as you learn more about these animals' feelings. Some stories show the courage and devotion of certain animals, and some other stories tell about more subtle acts of kindness. Yet, there is a smile, and perhaps a tear, in each and every one of those stories. Truly inspiring.
Pets are Angels.......1999-05-24
This book Animal Angels-Amazing Acts of love and compassion is such an inspiring book.
Amazon.com
When Eugene Linden was writing The Parrot's Lament--a book subtitled "And Other True Tales of Animal Intrigue, Intelligence, and Ingenuity"--he enjoyed joking around with his 2-year-old daughter Sofia. "Are you a rutabaga?" "I'm not a rutabaga!" she would giggle. "Are you a waterbug?" "I'm not a waterbug!" Soon, Sofia learned to riff off her father's teasing: "I'm not a rutabaga; Daddy is a rutabaga!" or the truly insightful, "I'm not a rutabaga; the baby is a rutabaga. I'm a waterbug!"
As a passionate and accomplished student of animal intelligence since the '70s, Linden--of course--couldn't resist comparing Sofia's reasoning to that of an ape, puzzling over the cognitive cusp upon which she teetered. And it's this affectionate but knowledgeable analysis, the gentle transition from rutabagas to metacognition and emergent symbolic ability, that makes The Parrot's Lament so satisfying, sentimental but still scientifically solid. The science of consciousness and animal intelligence is contentious, but many in the field--Linden included--deeply suspect that animals know more than we can verify. Linden lays down the science with clarity and good humor, but he leaves it to his animal coauthors, the amorous dolphins, escape-artist orangs, enigmatic cats, and lying hyenas that populate the book's scores of anecdotes, to make his argument. --Paul Hughes
Book Description
A gorilla shrewdly sells back a missing key chain to the highest bidder. An orangutan picks a lock to let himself out of his zoo enclosure and two elephants adopt a tag-team strategy to keep their handlers from putting them back into theirs. In The Parrot's Lament, noted environmentalist Eugene Linden offers more than one hundred true anecdotes about animal acts of cooperation, heroism, escape--even tales of deception or manipulation of human beings. Drawing on the first-person experiences of veterinarians, field biologists, researchers, and trainers, Linden has compiled a warmly entertaining and powerfully persuasive argument for animal consciousness that, while not human, far exceeds what humans usually grant animals. Scientifically sound and emotionally compelling, The Parrot's Lament contains remarkable stories that are sure to resonate with animal lovers, turning skeptics everywhere into believers.
"Eugene Linden reveals how animals demonstrate aspects of intelligence as they escape from, cheat, and outfox humans." --Time magazine
"These amazing true stories confirm what many of us always suspected--that animals would make better humans than most humans would." --Carl Hiaasen
Customer Reviews:
They're smarter than you think!.......2006-11-14
This is a wonderful book. Having had companion animals all my life, I've never had any doubt whatsoever that our four-legged and/or feathered friends have a lot more going on in their little heads than some people give them credit for. Just because an animal can't use human words doesn't mean they can't think, feel, or communicate; and this book demonstrates that very well. My only "complaint," such as it is, is that there was no reference whatsoever to a parrot's lament. This rather disappointed me since I have a companion parrot, have read a lot about parrots, and was interested to hear Mr. Linden's story about a lamenting bird. Other than that, it's a great book!
My Goats Bedevil Me!.......2005-05-31
I suspect that my goats have me figured and are now trying to outsmart me. Apparently they don't think it's very hard. Because of the steep hills, hollows and giant boulders here at Flying Goat Ranch, the goats' territory is not securely fenced. Down by the road, where there's little to entice a hungry goat, there's just a wire to let them know their boundary. If I appear when they are outside this line, they crawl back under the wire and scoot up the hill. On the other hand, at the upper end of the ranch, the neighbor's fence is more substantial, but quite old and full of holes. I've tried to patch them, but the goats always find a new outlet so they can explore those greener pastures. If I confront them outside of this fence, they play dumb and wander back down along the fence line toward the front of our place, as if they don't know how to get back inside. Even if I approach them sounding the dinner bell (in response to which which they normally fly straight to their food area), they will still take this indirect and ineffective route, rather than take the quickest way to the food--through the opening of the fence. I suspect they don't want me to know their secret outlet, So I hide while I ring the bell and trick them into taking the quickest way back--the fence hole they came through--and from my hideout I discover their secret opening.
A recent book has collected many stories better than to demonstrate that animals possess several aspects of intelligent awareness, including a sense of humor as well as the ability to deceive. The Parrot's Lament and other true tales of animal intrigue, intelligence, and ingenuity (Dutton) gets its title from a story about a African Grey parrot, Bongo Marie. Its owner had a number of birds at her house, including an Amazon parrot, Paco, that Bongo Marie especially disliked. One day, the owner was removing a roast Cornish game hen from her oven when Bongo Marie flew over and shouted, "Oh no! Paco!" in an excited tone. When the owner produced Paco to show he was still alive, Bongo Marie responded in a disappointed tone, "Oh, no!" and then broke out into raucous laughter. The author of the book, Eugene Linden, an award winning science writer, has collected many of his stories from professional animal handlers (zoo keepers, animal researchers, etc.) and has included research studies, both of which provide a factual and intellectually curious tone to balance the natural sentimentality.
Escape stories involve not only animal cleverness, but also deception. In one case, for example, Fu Manchu, a male orangutan, baffled zoo keepers by his ability to open a door that allowed regular escape. Surreptitious observation revealed that he kept hidden in his cheek a secret tool: a wire he used to pick the lock.
A story of double deception among the animals themselves comes from an observation station created by Jane Goodall in the wilds of Tanzania. Just at the moment that one chimpanzee found a cache of food, a more dominant chimp appeared on the scene. The first chimp walked away from the cache and acted nonchalantly until the second chimp left the scene. When the coast was clear, the first chimp went over to the food and began to eat. However, the second chimp had only appeared to have left. He was observed to have hidden himself in the bushes and spied on the first chimp to learn of its deception. When the secret was exposed, the dominant chimp returned to the scene and claimed the food for himself.
Pet owners often attribute to their animals more intelligence, awareness and cunning than psychologists think they deserve. In the academic community, animal awareness is still as much an anathema as ESP. I don't think the church is as against animal awareness as much as is the university, even though it was the church who invented animal dumbness to create a spiritual gap between them and us. But evidence is mounting to force a conclusion that animals do think, have feelings, and are creative. Some animals, such as chimps and parrots, are even able to learn how to use symbolic language intelligently. Their ability to deceive, as cute or unattractive as it may be, is a quite important clue about their minds. The act of deception shows an awareness of the mental states of others and an understanding of how those mental states can be misled. My goats seem to assume that as long as I don't see them walk through the fence, I won't know there's a hole in it, so they seem to act so as to plant a false belief in my mind.
At a time when threats to the welfare of animals abound, it's good to hear stories that speak to us about their recognizably human qualities. When we empathize with them, it helps us connect to them as beings like us. In that way they become as our teachers, inspiring us to develop a more sensitive and caring relationship with the critters with whom we share this planet.
A good book, with some unsettling errors..........2004-04-01
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this exploration of animal intelligence. Linden writes clearly and succinctly, and does a great job of weaving his stories together to support the points he makes. He has taken examples from both his personal experience, and from numerous print sources and interviews with other people. Most of the stories revolve around captive animals (as pets and in zoos - primarily because these are more easily observed), though some examples from the wild are included. In addition, an overwhelming number of these case studies involve the great apes (particularly orangutans and gorillas) and dolphins. This is to be expected, as these species are generally considered to be among the most intelligent, but there are also tales of birds, pigs, large cats, and others.
The book is divided into nine categories. He begins with "Games and Humor," in which he explores the ways in which animals amuse themselves. "Trade and Barter" was one of the most interesting chapters, detailing the elaborate systems captive apes have been taught, where they can earn "money" for performing tasks for their keepers, and then spend that money on items they want, such as treats or toys. "Deception" discusses ways animals have tried to fool both their human counterparts and others of their own species. In "Mind Reading and Mental Chess" Linden explores the extent to which animals can be aware of others' states of mind. "Cooperation in Work, Conflict, and Healing" is another particularly interesting chapter, offering examples of service animals that have gone beyond their training to help humans. Included are stories of animals that actually seek out ill and injured people in order to offer them solace. "Tools and Intelligence" concerns that very sticky topic of whether humans, as tool-users, are unique. It appears that we are not, and Linden shows us numerous cases where other species have made use of tools to achieve their aims. The seventh chapter talks of escape attempts - cases where captive animals have shown remarkable ingenuity despite all their keepers' efforts to dissuade them. "Empathy and Heroism" gives us examples of animal heroes, and finally "A Place Where Humans are the Novelty" takes a brief look at those few wild places that are still relatively untouched by humans.
While I really liked the book as a whole, however, there are a few things which cause me to knock my rating down to only four stars. First is that Linden undermines much of his own thesis by devoting an entire preface as a disclaimer that none of these stories can be used as scientific evidence. Perhaps the stories are anecdotal, but this is how much of scientific discovery begins - with pure observation of things. For those of us with wide exposure to animals, it is hard to deny that they do possess some remarkable mental capabilities, even without these stories as additional proof.
And secondly, Linden has done a very poor job of checking his facts. Many of his examples come from animals at the Woodland Park Zoo, which is very close to where I live, and which I have visited numerous times. The first error that leapt out at me is relatively minor - the orangutan Linden refers to as "Tawan" is actually named Towan. But more alarming, one of Linden's stories involves the gorillas at Woodland Park. He claims that the gorilla Jumoke, when separated from the father of her baby, repeatedly tried to climb out of her new enclosure to rejoin him. This is all well and good, except that the "father" is billed as Alafia. Anyone can check the Woodland Park Zoo's website (www.zoo.org) and see that Alafia is, in fact, a female. So something is not right with that particular story. It could be that Linden just mixed up the names - there are a LOT of gorillas at Woodland park - but errors like this make me question the accuracy of the other accounts included. Has Linden made other mistakes in his research?
Overall, though, I would still recommend this book to anyone with a casual interest animal intelligence. Some of the stories are heartwarming, others funny, and others downright amazing. The book is friendly to the layman and does not require any scientific knowledge. It is also well-written and easy to read. If you're doing a study or writing a paper, I would strongly advise you to double-check the specifics of any accounts you intend to reference (due to the above mentioned errors), but for general-interest purposes this book is good enough as is. It's a great testament to the often vastly underestimated intellectual powers of our furry, feathery, and scaly friends.
Witty and fulfilling.......2003-03-13
I enjoyed this book of anecdotes about animals behaving in smart, original, creative, and sometimes heroic ways. It was written in a very accessible style, and I enjoyed the author's sense of humor. The book was well-divided into sections: games and humor; trade and barter; deception; mind reading and mental chess; cooperation in work, conflict and healing; tools and intelligence; escapes; empathy and heroism; and a place where humans are the novelty. I would've liked to have read more about the last section, about animals who have no fear of humans in a virtually untouched jungle in Africa. The only thing that puzzled me about the book was the rather apologetic tone regarding animal intelligence. The tone tries to pacify scientists and other people who aren't convinced that animals possess intelligence. I have never doubted that they do. I'm sure most people who have pets or work around animals feel the same way. It's too bad that we have to be apologetic about believing that the important life forms that share our planet have the capacity to think and feel. As the author points out in the last chapter, based on what we're doing to the planet, it's sometimes questionable which species is really the one without intelligence.
Excellent.......2002-07-03
I have a bird myself, and though she doesn't display any higher intelligence, these stories were humerous and fascinating.
The tales of love and escape and the human qualities displayed by animals were touching, too. This book made me do something not not very many other books have done; I laughed out loud. It's a great book for those who have pets or are just interested in tales of animal empathy, deception, and cooperation and intelligence which are sometimes hysterical.
Book Description
It has long been said that a dog is a person's best friend, and how true that is. To many, though, the canine-human relationship goes far deeper than friendship. It is the ultimate reflection of a mutual and unconditional level of commitment and of a dog's ability to become one with its human. It is a relationship of love, care, and loyalty that penetrates the soul, softens the heart, and generates an inseparable emotional bond.
The Compassion of Dogs is a fabulous collection of true and moving stories that illustrate how dogs display their wide range of emotions familiar to any pet owner—compassion, courage, intuition, and loyalty. Inside, you'll meet canine caregivers, therapists, and heroes, as well as medics, September 11 saviors, and countless other very special dog friends, including:
·Louise, a Bearded Collie who became separated from her owners near the World Trade Center on September 11 only to find herself riding one of the ferries, comforting countless strangers
·A therapy dog named Lucy who became best friends with a young girl with leukemia and stayed by her side during her final weeks
·Andre, the little dog who continued to visit a favorite spot on the lawn where he had spent time with his owner before her death
·And many more
These are fascinating and heartwarming real-life accounts of the power of canine-human relationships, the depth of which are certain to resonate within the heart of any dog lover. You'll relive the emotions and thoughtfulness of your own best friends and discover dogs' awesome ability to earn the respect, love, and admiration of all who share their lives with these amazing animals.
Customer Reviews:
Wow.......2003-01-25
This was such a compelling book. It really touched my heart. The people/dog relationships impact the way you think about dogs and being a dog owner. Dogs are so loving and forgiving...they don't care that we aren't perfect. This book is easy to pick up and hard to put down. I would highly recommend it to anyone.
Sorry I waited so long to read this book.......2003-01-20
I got this book for Christmas and should have read it right away, it is wonderful. I loved every story, especially the one about Louise, the rescue dog, who rescued others. I have three dogs but I wish Louise was my fourth.
Compassion of Dogs Compassionately told.......2003-01-20
My son received this book for Chirstmas because he is a big dog lover. We all read it and loved it. We were impressed by the intelligence of the writing and the research that was done for each dog. Few books are as revealing as this.
Inspirational book.......2002-12-22
As a contributor to The Compassion of Dogs, I had the opportunity to read the entire book. I was deeply touched by each of these stories, which were unique in their own way. As an owner of dogs, I was also able to personally understand and identify with aspects of the humane/canine bonds that were so beautifully described. I encourage anyone who loves dogs, to buy this book for themselves and as a gift for others. Each individual story is inspirational, touching, and worthy of remembering.
The true spirit of dogs.......2002-12-20
This was a wonderful book. It tells how dogs are just as emotional as people and need to feel the love and respect they deserve. All of the stories will warm your heart.
Average customer rating:
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A Northwoodsman's Guide to Everyday Compassion
Kenneth Damro
Manufacturer: WingSpan Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Ethics & Morality
| Philosophy
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Animal Rights
| Nature & Ecology
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Conservation
| Outdoors & Nature
| Subjects
| Books
Reference
| Outdoors & Nature
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1595940634 |
Book Description
The prescription for peace, happiness, and sustainability on planet Earth is at your fingertips. If only we dare to muster up the courage to stretch open our hearts and minds, all good things are possible. This is a manual for living on planet Earth. The author views the world through eyes of grace, yet addresses the stickiest of issues. A Northwoodsman's Guide to Everyday Compassion leads us on an emotional roller coaster of exploration and introspection, leaving us with a sense of inspired motivation.
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