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The Daily Coyote - Charlie & Chloe Playing from daily coyote on Vimeo.

This video says it all. Wild coyotes can be dangerous but they too need to be respected. This video comes from the people that wrote "The Daily Coyote" (to be released on Dec. 2). I definitely can't wait to read this book. Who would have thought that a coyote and domesticated pets could coincide?!

Here's an excerpt from a review at the Simone & Schuster website:

When Shreve (Stockton was unexpectedly presented with a ten-day-old coyote pup whose parents had been shot for killing sheep, she had a choice to make. Despite her reservations and the terror of her tomcat Eli, Shreve decided to do the unthinkable -- to raise the coyote pup she came to call Charlie in her 12 12-foot log cabin.

But look at the friendships it's created! The book is filled with pictures like this! It's definitely a unique story to say the least!

The suggested retail price is $23 and the book will be available Dec. 2 wherever books are sold.

Check out the new url for the Daily Coyote website here! and read much older entries HERE!

Now that the holidays are coming I thought I'd post daily gift ideas for your pet or the animals lovers on your holiday gift list. I've got a big stack of pet-related books that were just released. So naturally you'll see lots and lots of books on this list as well as games, pet toys and other fun, pet-related things (like a funny game you can play with your dog). So here's the first installment of books that are perfect for the crazy pet people in your life.

First up we have "Posh Pups: Dogs Who Live Better Than You Do" by Ilene Hochberg.
This book features elegantly photographed posh pups and showcases the the alluring lives of priveleged puppies everywhere. Some of these pooches have their own treadmill and some dine on filet mignon and organic biscuits and roam around in Louis Vuitton carriers and Coach leather coats.

The book also focuses on the best places to score canine couture, the secrets to a fabulous dog party and the best advice in fido physical fitness among other doggie-related facts. Now I'm not Jewish but I wouldn't have a problem putting on a "Bark Mitzvah" if I had a dog. Heck I have lots of Jewish friends who'd be able to help with the festivities...heheh!!

Now if you're budget conscious you must be thinking: THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR ME!! But hold on there for a second! The book includes ways that even you, the frugal spendthrift, can lavish your dog without breaking the bank. Not only does this book showcase the best in doggie style, it gives helpful hints on everything from when to take your dog to the vet to great ways to memorialize your dog when it's time to say goodbye.
The book also features random statistics that will blow your mind.

Due to not getting around to posting much, I have accumulated a plethora of pet-related books to write about. I've been wanting to write about this particular book for awhile since I can sort of attest to mental and spiritual experiences with my pets (especially my cats). I haven't read this book but I have skimmed through it. I'm not sure if I agree with everything I've seen, but I should read the book with an open mind.

Shapeshifting with Our Animal Companions: Connecting with the Spiritual Awareness of All Life by Dawn Baumann Brunke moves beyond the "how" and "why" of animal communication that she wrote about in her previous books.

Here's an excerpt from the back of the book:

Through conversations, dreams, and merged consciousness with a variety of animals and spirit beings, she reveals the vast treasure of wisdom and experiences offered to us as we open ourselves to the consciousness of others, confront and release our fears of death, and expand our sensory perception to include other modes of existence.

While skimming through this book I did come across a snippet that I could relate to (though I'm not so sure about what she delves into following this snippet).

Here's the snippet:

Isn't it wonderful how little details of life often bring us confirmations of the most unexpected sort? Although I wrote a short personal account about Barney's death and shared it with many others via e-mail, I did not tell anyone of the vision of Barney with the little girl (in her dream). The following morning, while reading through some loving e-mails from those who had known Barney, I found a note from my mom:

Hi Dawn: Thanks for sending your good-bye to Barney piece. It did help and I thank you. Still miss him terribly, though I do have thoughts/vissions/dreams of him happily trotting in the sunshine next to a little girl. So who knows _ maybe his new life? Lots of love, Mom.

In 2005 I lost my beloved Cleo in 2005, I would constantly hear, see her (in the corner of my eye), feel her next to me (I still do on occasion), and I'd dream about her knowing that she was coming to visit me to say that she was okay. Now I know that many of you are probably thinking that I should be sent to the loony bin. But I do believe that animal spirits do go somewhere and that they do have some kind of a soul. I believe in some idea of the Rainbow Bridge, but blog post on that would cause the internet to clog up and shut down...LOL!!!

okay...back to the Cleo story. Like I said...after her death, I would constantly feel her walk up to me, lay down next to me, meow, and I'd see her in dreams. Now I don't know if that's just the essence of my memories of her immediately after her death, or if it was really her. I hope that it's really her. I didn't dare tell many people (except for a friend of mine who is an expert in this stuff) for fear that they would lock me up in a mental institution.

Well lo! and behold! My mom randomly commented that she too could see and feel the spirit of Cleo walking around the house (she died while I was living with my mom) and that she has to occasionally do a double take because she thinks that Cleo is either lurking around the corner in the house or hanging around her grave site (she's buried in my mom's back yard).

Now this story does not say that we shouldn't be skeptical, but there is some truth the the spiritual and mental connection we have with the animals in our lives. Don't even make me talk about some of the telepathic experiences I've had with Marcie and the dogs that have made their presence in my life. There may be no words in the communication there's a definite understanding that can go on between you and the animals in your life. I love it when that happens.

So if you're in tune to animal communication, you might want to pick up a copy of this book. Again...I can't guarantee that it will be a quality read since I haven't fully read it myself. If anything...I love the picture on the cover because Barney (I'm assuming that must be Barney) looks allot like my Nike, who also passed away (and who I've also encountered in dreams and such).

The book retails for $16 and is available at the usually places (you know...amazon.com, Borders, Barnes & Noble...you name it).

If you ask me what my favorite adorable dog breeds are I'd have to say Golden Retriever, Samoyed, Husky and German Shepherd. But then again I'm biased because I had all those dog breeds and I have very fond memories with all of them!!

Rachael Hale's book 101 Adorable Dog Breeds is a tool in helping potential owners pick the breed that is perfect for them. Learn about your new puppy or your old friend by reading about the origin, temperment, and maintenance that various dog breeds require.

Rachael Hale is an esteemed photographer who has captured the essence of and unique personality of each breed. Each page brings out the endearing qualities of each dog using unique poses and props that might just melt your heart. Along with photographs of the animals the book describes the traits that make each individual dog unique. From the handsome (as described in the book) Bernese Mountain Dog to the courageous Japanese Spitz the book might just make you scratch your head as to which breed to adopt.

And yes I say adopt! And if you'd like to learn more about breed rescue organizations the AKC has an extensive list of breed rescue organizations.

I don't always read MUTTS but whenever I do come across the strip it warms my heart. I just got this book in the mail and I must say it is a very cute and unique way to raise awareness for the millions of shelter animals out there that need to find loving homes.

Patrick McDonnell, author of the celebrated comic strip helps give the animals a voice in Shelter Stories: Love. Guaranteed (Andrews McMeel Publishing, $16.95). The book features an inspiring introduction by Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States and combines more than 100 of Patrick's best "Shelter Stories" strips alongside 70 candid photos and shelter stories of real animals. Not only will you see dogs and cats, but you'll read stories of rabbits, guinnea pigs, ferrets and birds and the kindhearted souls that saved them. The book also features a reference guide filled with tips for adopting the right pet and a variety of useful links that encourage readers to, as Patrick puts it, "adopt some love today."

And as you know you can buy the book in the usual places.

The department I work for receives a plethora of books to write about. Topics range from health to lifestyle to cooking. And those of you that work in the Woodland Hills office know all too well just how many cooking books we had for sale recently (proceeds are going to charity). Pet books don't seem to have much of a place in the print edition (at least for the moment) but they certainly do here. It seems like everyone around me has begun to put just about everything that's pet related on my desk and I'm loving every minute of it.

So from time to time you'll see some spotlights on books that pet lovers would be interested in. I can't guarantee that you'll like the books but it'll give you an idea of what's currently out there as far as reading material for the animal lovers in your life.

Here's the perfect book for families who are thinking about getting a dog. It is designed to teach kids about the rewards of adopting a dog from a shelter or a rescue organization. Written by 15-year-old Emma Jackson, the book is a true account of an abandoned puppy named Dixie who finds a loving home with Emma and her family. The book includes loads of pictures and chronicles Dixie's life from the beginning as a very sick, orphaned puppy to the very happy, healthy dog dog she is now. It also tells the story of Emma, who has searched like crazy to find just the right dog. Should her parents buy from a breeder or adopt? Her answer came when visiting Aunt Mary's Doghouse, a non-profit organization that rescues dogs from overcrowded shelters through fostering and placement of adoptable canines that might otherwise be euthanised. Created just for children ages 4 to 8, the book is filled with colorful photographs and written in big lettering that makes it easy for kids to read. Proceeds from the sale of the book ($16.99) benefit Petfinder.com and Aunt Mary's Doghouse. Now I'm not so sure my cats heed all of the sayings in this book but I guess if you take every single feline in this world and bunch all of their personalities together then yeah, the messages can hold true. hmmm...I think I need to make Hershey read that particular one about 100 times. She gives plenty of love but not a day goes by without her marching to the kitchen with me first thing in the morning to beg DEMAND that I give her Feline Greenies treats. Someone gave those to the kitties as a Christmas gift and Hershey and Marcie have been hooked ever since. And the sucker in me keeps giving into their whiny demands...LOL! But whether your cat follows the sayings or not, this book is chock full of whimsical proverbs that your cat can (hopefully) teach you including: The book is written by Cat Humorist Allia Zobel Nolan, best known for her book 101 Reasons Why a Cat Is Better Than a Man. Each saying is accompanied by a whimsical watercolor depiction painted by Artist Erika Oller, whose artwork can be seen on calendars, greeting cards and children's books, including The Cabbage Soup Solution and The Dog Who Sang at the Opera. The book sells for $16.95. For more information on this book click here.

And of course you can visit online bookstores or visit your local bookstore.