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NOTE: Although this book currently is out of print, the author
has a limited number of copies available--please contact for the cost.
There are more than fifty-five million dogs in the United States, beloved pets that depend upon the attentive care of their human companions. Now, with the name that pet owners have turned to for generations, comes The Purina Encyclopedia of Dog Care. In a clear, efficient format that enables you to find answers to all your questions in a minute or two, this definitive reference addresses virtually every concern that may arise about your best friend. How can I tell whether my dog is really sick? Can I treat him at home or does he need a vet? What health problems tend to be breed-specific? What's the best way to help a stray? Inside you'll find:
- An A-to-Z resource to hundreds of canine topics, from adoption and allergies to weaning and whiplash
- Boxed charts featuring 174 canine conditions, options for treatment (home or veterinary), and advice on prevention
- Symptoms at a glance--a fast, efficient table for home diagnosis
- Detailed descriptions of 140 breeds--history, appearance, dispositions, special needs, and health concerns
- A beautiful full-color photo gallery of breeds
- A helpful list of poisonous plants and substances, with emergency treatments
- Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of animal welfare and rescue organizations, pet services, veterinary resources, and canine research foundations
- And much more!
If you are concerned about your pet, The Purina Encyclopedia of Dog Care will help to ensure that your best friend lives a long and healthy life.
There are four important factors in choosing an encyclopedia--any encyclopedia. 1. Is it complete? 2. Is it accurate? 3. Is it easy to navigate? 4. Is it fun and interesting to read? Author Amy Shojai has written 11 non-fiction pet books and numerous articles. This Purina spokesperson and former veterinary technician is an authority of considerable standing, so I have confidence that this 500 page book is both complete and accurate. As for it being easy to navigate, I decided to look for problem my own dog might have. The problem, flatulence, was quickly found along with symptoms, home care, vet care, and prevention tips. (The home care tips included eliminating table scraps and the introduction of yogurt into the diet) The book has complete index and the chapters are arranged into about 200 short chapters. In most of these chapters, the reader is aided by a concise chart--especially valuable in an emergency. The book's symptoms at a glance are also useful to the concerned pet owner. Shojai is an entertaining writer. She has an obvious wealth of knowledge, and the uncommon ability to write about topics so they are accessible by any dog lover. The book is well illustrated with half-tone photos, line drawings and color photos. . To read an excerpt from this book visit, click on the website link below. This book is a must for any caring dog owner.
-- Reviewed by Curt Anderson
Website: http://www.selectsmart.com/DOG/expert.htm
Dog owners who want a definitive guide to canine care and behavior will want
to pick up a copy of Amy Shojai's most recent book, The Purina Encyclopedia
of Dog Care. Like her Purina Encyclopedia of Cat Care, Shojai's newest work
is carefully researched and full of practical and helpful information.
Whether the reader is trying to select a perfect show dog, a new pet for the
family, or needs help training or caring for the dog she already has,
Shojai's book is the perfect resource. Information is presented in a
logical, concise format that is easy to use and Shojai's down-to-earth,
conversational writing style is a pleasure as well.
Amy Shojai is a former veterinary technician who is the author of eleven
books about dogs and cats, and a frequent contributor to many pet
publications. Her dog writing has been honored by the Texas Veterinary
Medical Association and she's won numerous awards from the Dog Writers
Association of America, where she is a longtime member. Ms. Shojai is a
spokesperson for Purina™ brand pet foods, and frequently speaks to groups
about pet-related issues.
-- PAW PRINTS: PET CHANNEL BOOK REVIEWS
by Stephanie Daniels
The quality of pet health books just took a grand leap upward with the
publishing of two pairs of references that coincidentally manage to
complement each other beautifully.
"The Purina Encyclopedia of Cat Care" (Ballantine hardcover; $25) was the
first of the foursome to appear, coming out to good reviews last year. The
companion book, "The Purina Encyclopedia of Dog Care" (same publisher, same
price) is just out, and even better than its companion volume. Both are
authored by Amy D. Shojai, a former veterinary technician who now has a
handful of well-respected pet books to her credit.
Despite the commercial link to a pet-food maker, the books are thankfully
free of marketing pitches, handling even the area of nutrition in an
objective, even-handed way. Shojai uses the alphabet to organize her
material, with plenty of cross-referencing and a detailed index to make
finding information a breeze.
The "Purina" pair are packed with more information than you'd think would fit
even in nearly 450 pages, with solid entries on illness, behavior, breed
characteristics and even the day-to-day challenges of living with a pet, such
as proper supplies and traveling with pets. The references end with quick
guides to symptoms of illness and a decent list of additional resources -
various animal-related companies and groups.
My only quibble: The type on some of the charts is awfully small, but then
may it won't bother someone who hasn't just been told she needs bifocals!
-- Gina Spadafori's "Pet Connection" column, July 1999
http://www.spadafori.com
"An extremely well written and thoroughly comprehensive doggy encyclopedia,
containing a wealth of useful information and extremely helpful advice
regarding your dog's physical and mental well being."
--Ian Dunbar PhD, MRCVS, author of How To Teach A New Dog Old Tricks and a founder of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT)
"Amy Shojai leaves no stone unturned in this comprehensive reference guide to dog care . . . anyone who owns a dog will benefit from the advice in this well-organized, easy-to-read resource."
--Donna L. Marcel, editor, Dog World Magazine
"Amy Shojai is one of the very best when it comes to writing about pet health. Her name on the cover is a guarantee of top-quality information inside."
-- Gina Spadafori, pet-columnist for the Universal Press Syndicate and author of Dogs For Dummies
"Shojai provides a plethora of up-to-date information on the A--Z topics of dogdom. If you've got a dog you'll have questions -- if you've got this book, you'll have answers."
--Cheryl S. Smith, author of The Trick Is in the Training and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Showing Your Dog
"Canine alphabet soup has never been so easy going down, a mix of practical information with a dose of helpful training tips and dash of hot news. The Purina Encyclopedia of Dog Care is a user friendly one stop guide for sharing your life with a four-legged best friend. Amy Shojai is one bulldog of a journalist; you can be sure to find the latest in cutting edge medical news."
--Steve Dale, syndicated columnist "My Pet World," Tribune Media Services; host
"Pet Central," WGN Radio; senior columnist Pet Life magazine.
"With The Purina Encyclopedia of Dog Care, Amy Shojai has crafted the perfect companion to her Purina Encyclopedia of Cat Care. This comprehensive volume deserves a place in every dog owner's library."
--Darlene Arden, author of The Irrepressible Toy Dog
IN ASSOCIATION WITH AMAZON.COM
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The Purina Encyclopedia of Dog Care
