KFOR Book Chat Titles for March 19th

Here is a list of this morning's books, described by library staff members on KFOR's Book Chat episode (March 19th, 2009):

A New Leash on Life by Emily CarmichaelDog trainer Jane Connor has always preferred the company of canines, so when her kennel is destroyed in an Arizona wildfire, she finds her whole world in ashes. Jane managed to rescue all the animals, but her status as a local hero won’t pay the bills. Soon she’s reluctantly agreeing to work on a reality TV series about life on the dog show circuit–starring herself and her golden retriever, Shadow. Jane has complete confidence in Shadow’s star quality–until she sets eyes on their chief competitor:an irritatingly perfect little papillon! Worse, the dog is attached at the leash to hunky Cole Forrest. Jane can hardly hide her attraction off-camera, so how will she conceal it from a national audience? It’s exactly the kind of distraction she doesn’t need. But in a summer of surprises, Jane just might discover that an old dog learn new tricks–when love is the treat.

Planet Cat: A Cat-a-Log by Sandra and Harry Choron and Arden Moore [636.8 Cho] Here is the cat's meow: a lively, entertaining, one-of-a-kind assemblage of more than 400 lists on all things cat. It's all here, from the origins of the species to care and training to breeds and behaviour to famous cats in history, art and literature. The book even includes a list of celebrity cat people. Illustrated with more than 150 photographs and line drawings, this irresistible package is sure to delight cat lovers everywhere. Featuring: How to say cat in 46 languages; Hemingway's cats; Cats who changed history; Tricks you can teach your cat; Cat food recipes; An IQ test for your cat; And more!>

Why Does My Dog Act That Way? A Complete Guide to Your Dog's Personality by Stanley CorenPsychologist and dog expert Coren (Why do Dogs Have Wet Noses?, The Intelligence of Dogs) returns with another insightful, fascinating look at everyone's best friend in this primer on the canine psyche. Drawing on a rich body of research, Coren patiently and systematically explains that dogs come hardwired with reliable personalities, allowing their human companions to interpret and predict their everyday behavior. Armed with that knowledge, Coren gives readers tips on how to create a "superdog," a welcome four-legged family member who socializes well with others and isn't overly emotional. Along the way, Coren debunks a number of myths (among them that dogs are little more than domesticated wolves), offers development tips for the key stages in a dog's life (beginning at birth) and providing owners a complete roadmap for socializing their puppies. -- from Publisher's Weekly

Dog Talk: Lessons Learned From a Life With Dogs by Harrison Forbes [636.7 For]Dog Talk chronicles Harrison Forbes's life with dogs, from the first bond he formed as a boy with a Belgian Tervuren named Sabina, to the story of Lex, a police dog who attacked his owner’s wife, and was redeemed by Harrison’s intense love and respect for the breed.nbsp; Forbes also offers practical aspects of understanding and dealing with whatever type of dog the reader may have.nbsp; In Dog Talk, the pet owner will find fascinating insights into behavioral problems, as each chapter addresses a different situation or issue. Here are some of Harrison's trademark insights into dog behavior and training: *Energy management is the basis of behavior management : unwanted or aggressive behavior, is often the result of pent-up, frustrated energy *Dog behavior should always be taken in context; a dog that is housetrained in its home isn't necessarily so everywhere else *Every dog's make-up is individual and distinct--:a combination of nature and nurture *Non-verbal communication, structure and clearly delineated limits, and the human-canine bond are basic building blocks in a good relationship *Reasonable expectations are key to an enjoyable pet experience. Dog Talk is at times funny, irreverent, insightful, and touching, and it will deepen the reader's understanding of dog behavior and as a result will enable him to approach his own dog in a fresh and motivated way to begin, improve, mend, or strengthen a relationship that can last a lifetime.

My Cat's Not Fat, He's Just Big-Boned by Nicole Hollander [741.5 qHol]Cats who think too much, cats who hypnotize their owners, cats who plot dastardly deeds but get distracted, cats who think they're kids, and of course cats obsessed with food, food, food. Nicole Hollander's "Sylvia" cartoon strip appears in newspapers nationwide and is syndicated by the Los Angeles Times Syndicate.

The Good, Good Pig: the Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood by Sy MontgomeryMontgomery's books on exotic wildlife (Journey of the Pink Dolphins, etc.) take her to the far corners of the world, but the story of her closest relationships with the animal kingdom plays out in her own New England backyard. When she adopts a sickly runt from a litter of pigs, naming him Christopher Hogwood after the symphony conductor, raising him for slaughter isn't an option: Montgomery's a vegetarian and her husband is Jewish. Refitting their barn to accommodate a (mostly) secure sty, they keep Christopher as a pet. As he swells to 750 pounds, he becomes a local celebrity, getting loose frequently enough that the local police officer knows to carry spare apples to lure him back home. The pig also bonds with Montgomery's neighbors, especially two children who come over to help feed him and rub his tummy. Montgomery's love for Christopher (and later for Tess, an adopted border collie) dominates the memoir's emotional space, but she's also demonstrably grateful for the friendships the pig sparks within her community. The humor with which she recounts Christopher's meticulous eating habits and love of digging up turf is sure to charm readers. -- from Publisher's Weekly

[Also available in Large Print format.]

Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen PryorA groundbreaking behavioral scientist and dynamic animal trainer, Karen Pryor is a powerful proponent of the principles and practical uses of positive reinforcement in teaching new behaviors. Here are the secrets of changing behavior in pets, kids--even yourself--without yelling, threats, force, punishment, guilt trips...or shooting the dog![Note: This title is no longer owned by the Lincoln City Libraries, but you can get it through our Interlibrary Loan service.]

Travels with Charley in Search of America by John Steinbeck [818 Ste]With the success of Marley and Me, a whole lot of "man and dog" books have appeared on the market. But one of the best in the genre is one of the older titles -- John Steinbeck's Travels with Charley in Search of America. The Charley of the title is Steinbeck's standard poodle, and they do, indeed set off in the author's truck to rediscover the "real" America. Stenbeck describes what they find in his understated but perfectly descriptive style, giving a bittersweet portrait of the US in the early 1960's. This book is a short read, but it touches the heart. The relationship between the author and his remarkable traveling companion, and the fact that the reader of today knows that turbulent times are just ahead for the nation they are exploring.[Also available in unabridged audiotape format.]