Animal Health

Bobby Lassiter has some important secrets - but it’s not as if anyone’s paying attention. It’s the middle of the Depression, and while Bobby’s mother and older sister knit all day to make money, Bobby explores the California desert around their home. That’s how Bobby finds Boots. He’s under their one half-dead tree, half dead himself. Right away he’s a secret, too - a secret to be fed and clothed and taken care of, and even more of a secret because of what he can do. Sometimes Boots is a man. Sometimes he’s (really, truly) a horse.

Our first book, Arnold: the Cute Little Pig with Personality, is about our pet pig named Arnold. He was full of personality and everyone loved him especially as he sang little "oink" songs. He had one major problem, he loved to eat and everyone loved to feed him. He learned that veggies and exercise was good for him, and that an occasional cookie was a real treat.

The Underdogs tells the story of Karen Shirk, felled at age 24 by a neuromuscular disease and facing life as a ventilator-dependent, immobile patient, who was turned down by every service dog agency in the country because she was "too disabled". Her nurse encouraged her to tone down the suicidal thoughts, find a puppy, and raise her own service dog. Karen did this, and Ben, a German shepherd, dragged her back into life.

Bruce Friedrich, director of vegan outreach for PETA, argues that a vegetarian diet is the only diet that takes seriously the health and environmental implications of animal agriculture. He also discusses the impact of factory farming and slaughterhouse consolidation on worker safety, Third World poverty, and animal welfare.

She’s learning to be happy...on her own. Myra is used to keeping her feet firmly on the ground. She’s got four younger brothers, overworked parents, and a pregnant older sister, and if Myra wasn’t there to take care of everyone, they’d probably fall apart. But when her boyfriend unceremoniously dumps her, Myra feels like she’s lost her footing. Suddenly she’s doing things she never would have a few months earlier: Jumping around in a chicken suit for a part-time job and competing against her ex-boyfriend for a scholarship to study birds in the Galápagos.

In the past decade, the thousands-year-old practice of meditation has charged into the Western mainstream. Everyone from rock stars to medical professionals rave about meditation and its health promoting benefits. The biggest question people have is, "How do I start?" Forty-five million Americans already have a built-in meditation guru just panting to teach them: their dogs. In How to Meditate with Your Dog: An Introduction to Meditation for Dog Lovers, James Jacobson and his dog, Maui, show dog lovers everywhere the meditation technique that Jacobson has used and taught for over a decade.

For the first time in my life, I didn't need to pretend, I didn't need to be tough: I only needed to be honest. "I have cerebral palsy. I walk funny and my balance is bad. I fall a lot. My hands shake, too. That means I'm not so good at carrying things. And if I drop stuff, sometimes it's hard to just bend down and get it." I waited anxiously for the interviewer's response. She smiled. "It sounds like a service dog could be great for you."

Owen-known to his family as "little buddy" or "Little B"-has a rare genetic disorder that leaves him largely confined to a wheelchair. Before being united with Haatchi, Little B was anxious and found it difficult to make friends. Haatchi-an adorable Anatolian Shepherd puppy-was abused and left for dead on railroad tracks. He was struck by an oncoming train, and although his life was saved, his leg and tail were partially severed. Haatchi was left massively disabled and totally dispirited.

With his signature blend of playfulness and sensitiviy, Todd Parr explores the important, timely subject of environmental protection and conservation in this eco-friendly book. This book includes lots of easy, smart ideas on how we can all work together to make the Earth feel good - from planting a tree and using both sides of the paper, to saving energy and reusing old things in new ways.

Stefany Shaheen takes listeners on an emotional journey as she tries everything to manage her daughter Elle's deadly and unpredictable disease, all while juggling a family of four children. Overcoming the skepticism that a dog can provide answers that medical science is still seeking, the family finds a resounding sense of peace and reassurance through Coach's near miraculous abilities as a medic-alert dog, specially trained to detect dangerous changes in blood sugar levels.

Who knew there were so many different kinds of vegetables? Nonfiction pro Gail Gibbons responds to the need for books on good nutrition with this accessible exploration of vegetables. From glossy red peppers to lush, leafy greens to plump orange pumpkins, vegetables are explored in depth to clearly explain the many vegetable varieties, how they are grown, and why they are so good for us to eat.

Fourteen-year-old Finn is a loner, living with his dad and his amazing dog, Dylan. This summer Finn is hoping for a job where he doesn’t have to talk to anyone except his buddy, Matthew. Then he meets Johanna, who’s living next door. She’s a graduate student in her 20s, cool and funny, and she treats Finn as an equal. Dylan thinks she’s great too. Johanna’s dealing with breast cancer, and Matthew and Finn help take care of her - and come to care for her.

When the neighbors are forced to sell the farm, Chris is desperate to own the cows he has been milking. But Chris' Dad cannot cope with the idea! Then, one moonlit night, Chris sneaks out and follows the cow Petal on a wild rampage to...a mob of motherless cabbage patch babies. Will Chris get to keep his cows? Will he be able to look after this new crop of cabbage patch babies? Will their mothers ever come back?

Critically-acclaimed author Monica Holloway shares the extraordinary, touching story of Cowboy, the golden retriever puppy who changed her son's life.

Thirteen-year-old Josh McGuire knows an orphaned bear cub he's found will be given to researchers if the game warden tracks it to his dog house. Instead, he runs away with the cub to the mountains, vowing to protect it until hunting laws are changed. But the Montana wilderness is a dangerous place, and saving the cub's life may cost Josh his own.

This is both an assessment tool and an aid to probe into your dog's brain to see whether they may suffer from a cognitive impairment. This also provides some potential modifications surrounding how you can aid your canine companion.

This heartwarming audio journal describes a critically ill sea turtle as she is nursed back to health at a sea turtle hospital. Listeners will empathize with Carolina as she undergoes many of the same medical treatments sick or injured children face and then celebrate the happy day when she returns to her home in the sea. The "For Creative Minds" section includes fun facts and information on conservation issues.

A contemporary and irresistible story from Patricia Reilly Giff. Lidie lives in Jales, Brazil, where she’s free to ride, to be a wild girl, and to dream of going to live with her father and older brother, Rafael, in New York City. Finally Lidie is 12 - time to leave Brazil for New York. Meanwhile, a filly is born and begins her journey to a new home. As Lidie’s story unfolds, so does the filly’s. Lidie’s father runs a stable at a famous race track, and Rafael is training to be a jockey.

A collection of three short stories, from the life of Lightning, a real live care kitty. Lightning has a lot of work since his family consists of one perpetually stressed preteen, a young autistic boy, and a mother balancing university, children, and being an author. Join Lightning in his adventures as a care kitty. Contains a special extended version of "Lightning's Job" as well as "The Battle of the Tomato" and "Disarmament".

According to a study conducted by folks at doTERRA (a company that's dedicated to distributing first-rate essential oils to international customers), dogs are among the top animals who respond very well to the effects of essential oils. It can be traced to the fact that the four-legged animals have an exceptional sense of smell. Regardless of the breed you have, be it a Golden Retriever, a German Shepherd, a Malamute, or any standard dog, pleasant fragrances can do wonders for a man's best friend.