Pets Have Feelings Too

I wanted to know what they were experiencing, and why to us they feel so compelling, and so-close. This time I allowed myself to ask them the question that for a scientist was forbidden fruit: Who are you? Weaving decades of field observations with exciting new discoveries about the brain, Carl Safina's landmark book offers an intimate view of animal behavior to challenge the fixed boundary between humans and nonhuman animals. In Beyond Words, readers travel to Amboseli National Park in the threatened landscape of Kenya and witness struggling elephant families work out how to survive poaching and drought, then to Yellowstone National Park to observe wolves sort out the aftermath of one pack's personal tragedy, and finally plunge into the astonishingly peaceful society of killer whales living in the crystalline waters of the Pacific Northwest. Beyond Words brings forth powerful and illuminating insight into the unique personalities of animals through extraordinary stories of animal joy, grief, jealousy, anger, and love. The similarity between human and nonhuman consciousness, self-awareness, and empathy calls us to re-evaluate how we interact with animals. Wise, passionate, and eye-opening at every turn, Beyond Words is ultimately a graceful examination of humanity's place in the world.

This book is about listening to pets . . . . . . and talking to pets . . . . . . about how to help pets heal . . . . . . and about how they help us to heal. It’s about my Life Assignment . . . . . . and possibly about yours. It’s about the Universal Truths of Spirit, Life, and Love. Whether a person believes in God, a Supreme Being, or the Big Bang, there is always a philosophical expression we live by. Regardless of your philosophy, religious faith, or creed, each of you should bring to this book your own favorite words to express these Universal Truths that help convey your idea of God. As I wrote these chapters, I used expressions for God, Spirit, Life, and Love with which I’m most familiar, those that touch my heart. My hope is that the expressions I’ve used will touch your heart, also, or that you’ll be able to freely adjust them in your own mind to those that are your chosen favorites. Regardless of the specific terms I may have used in order to keep the presentation simple, my desire is that each of you will find your own sense of spirituality in this book. It matters little to our animal friends what our religious or philosophical preferences are. Their only purpose in life is to give us Unconditional Love and teach us how to Love Unconditionally. Love is their religion, their philosophy. And through the deep Love you and your pet share, I know you’ll be able to joyfully speak to each other’s hearts! On a very practical note, for ease of expression, there are a few places in this book where I may have opted not to follow one of the regular rules of grammar. I may have mixed a singular noun with plural pronouns, or vice versa, knowing full well that I’m taking the liberty of not matching singular with singular or plural with plural. I do so with apologies to editors, teachers, and anyone who loves exactness of expression. Also for ease of both writing and reading in a number of examples, I’ve occasionally referred to a pet only as “he” or only as “she.” However, in your own mind as you read, please feel free to use the pronoun that best represents your own beloved pet. ~ Dr. Monica Anaheim, CA

In 67 heartwarming stories, animal communicator Dr. Monica Diedrich answers unusual pet questions and explains the unique ways in which pets can guide their own physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. (Pets/Animals)

R.U.F.F. is an acronym that stands for Reservations' Unwanted Four-Footed Friends started by Susan Fadler in the early 1990s. Organized for establishing homes for the unwanted and neglected animals on the Navajo Reservation, Susan began taking rescued animals into classrooms to help teach the children about animal behavior, care and health. She soon found out that using an animal helped extrapolate expressions of emotions which would otherwise be harbored or unexpressed by the child. It also incorporated self-esteem where all else had failed. Using a natural catalyst, puppies and kittens, to teach responsible behavior proved to be extremely effective. Teachers began requesting materials to help teach history, geography, culture, and language. The Wilson Foundation was instrumental in providing the necessary funding to get Susan's curriculum written. It was nominated by teachers and administrators in 1996 and went on to win the 1st place Golden Bell award from the ASBA as a best new curriculum that year.

Learn to communicate with your dog—using their language “Good reading for dog lovers and an immensely useful manual for dog owners.”—The Washington Post An Applied Animal Behaviorist and dog trainer with more than twenty years’ experience, Dr. Patricia McConnell reveals a revolutionary new perspective on our relationship with dogs—sharing insights on how “man’s best friend” might interpret our behavior, as well as essential advice on how to interact with our four-legged friends in ways that bring out the best in them. After all, humans and dogs are two entirely different species, each shaped by its individual evolutionary heritage. Quite simply, humans are primates and dogs are canids (as are wolves, coyotes, and foxes). Since we each speak a different native tongue, a lot gets lost in the translation. This marvelous guide demonstrates how even the slightest changes in our voices and in the ways we stand can help dogs understand what we want. Inside you will discover: • How you can get your dog to come when called by acting less like a primate and more like a dog • Why the advice to “get dominance” over your dog can cause problems • Why “rough and tumble primate play” can lead to trouble—and how to play with your dog in ways that are fun and keep him out of mischief • How dogs and humans share personality types—and why most dogs want to live with benevolent leaders rather than “alpha wanna-bes!” Fascinating, insightful, and compelling, The Other End of the Leash is a book that strives to help you connect with your dog in a completely new way—so as to enrich that most rewarding of relationships.

Through facts and anecdotes, investigates the question of whether animals experience feelings such as compassion, loyalty, grief, joy, vengefulness, and helpfulness.

Sonnets From a Dog's Perspective... Thousands of animals are neglected, lost, abandoned, and abused every day. Some are lucky enough to be rescued from their abusers, but many others meet a far different fate. The struggles these terrified animals face are heartbreaking, and their injuries are incomprehensible. A Dog's Tales and Woes captures the true-life experiences and emotions of dogs the author has encountered throughout her life. Beautifully illustrated, these sonnets will tug at your heartstrings-and make you laugh in recognition of their antics. Hopefully they will encourage you to be a hero for these animals by taking them into your home, becoming a volunteer at a shelter, or making donations. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to rescue organizations to help support their efforts in raising awareness of the needs of animals who can't speak for themselves. We can all do our part and make a huge difference in the lives of these faithful, loyal, and loving creatures. "She is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are her life, her love, her leader. She will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of her heart. You owe it to her to be worthy of such devotion." Unknown