This was a marvelous book about a psychologist who played and worked with his border collie in teaching the dog to understand English. This book takesThis was a marvelous book about a psychologist who played and worked with his border collie in teaching the dog to understand English. This book takes you through John Pilley's history with his pets before getting and then working with Chaser.
The story starts with John, who is now retired from teaching, teaching at the Wofford College with his dog, Yasha. who was also his teaching assistant. Many students learned from Yasha. He retired and had to put Yasha down. Finally after several months of moping around the house, his wife got him a border collie pup.
Border collies are known for their intelligence and for herding sheep. Chaser was no different. Only throughout the training sessions that John set up for Chaser, it wasn't sheep that the dog herded, it was toys. And each one had a name attached to it. Within 3 years, Chaser learned over 1000 words and simple syntax (sentences: to Poppie, take ABC). She also was able to apply deductive reasoning and retrieve unfamiliar items by process of elimination and never hearing the word attached to the item. In writing this book, John describes in detail how he did his training.
This is and excellent book for dog lovers who want to understand their dogs better and also for those interested in animal behavior. John makes it look easy to train Chaser, but as everyone knows, it takes patience and time to train an animal. It took him over three years and working with Chaser at least 6-8 hours a day. No small task for a person to do.
I read this book and also went online to YouTube to see a lot of the videos that were documented the training. This helped me understand John's training methods a bit better.
Holly Miller has just lost her job and got a frantic phone call about her Oma (grandma). So she heads up to The Sugar Maple Inn to find out what's goiHolly Miller has just lost her job and got a frantic phone call about her Oma (grandma). So she heads up to The Sugar Maple Inn to find out what's going on. On her way, she picks up a scruffy little Jack Russel terrier.
First off she notices the Inn has gone to the dogs (pet friendly) and that Oma only twisted her ankle when someone tried to run her over and killing the man she was with. A lot more happens and a friend of Holly's from long ago is charged with the murder. Did he do it? Will Holly, Oma, And Dave the police officer find out who really did the deed?
This was an easy and fun read. I happen to like cozy mysteries with animals involved and this one fit the bill. It also has some good recipes in the back for people and dogs....more
I thought this was an excellent book about training dogs. I was amazed at what Chaser did and the words he learned. John must have great patience to kI thought this was an excellent book about training dogs. I was amazed at what Chaser did and the words he learned. John must have great patience to keep training him. I applaud his efforts and look forward to more of what Chaser will learn plus the next dog that John will train.
I have always loved horses and was enamored with horseracing. As a teen, my mother and I would watch the Triple Crown. I was and still am a fan of SecI have always loved horses and was enamored with horseracing. As a teen, my mother and I would watch the Triple Crown. I was and still am a fan of Secretariat. So I was very much interested in this book.
I didn't realize what went on behind the scenes at racetracks or that even if horses got injured. Jo Anne really opened my eyes to what was really occurred on the backstretch. When her horse Baby had to be put down, I cried as if it were my own horse (and I don't even own one) that was being put down. Jo Anne showed the courage and the moxie to do things right by what happened to her horse and others, I applaud her efforts. Those horses as well as all animals have a right to have a decent life, not filled with pain and horror as some of those horses did.
Her book opened up my eyes to what horse racing is and I will never look at another horse race the way I did when I was younger. This is a must read for all horse lovers and those who watch horse racing. You will learn something that you will never forget.
I decided to read this one since I won book two on Library Thing. That way I would know what was going on instead of trying to figure out the plot.
AleI decided to read this one since I won book two on Library Thing. That way I would know what was going on instead of trying to figure out the plot.
Alessia lives in Twin Willows, a small town in Maine. She visits her favorite place, a waterfall near the farm where she lives, a place her father showed her before he passed away. As she sits there, watching the water, she notices a black panther staring at her.
One night she has a dream of being a falcon, and then after skipping school one day, she becomes that falcon she dreamed of as the bridge crumbles, killing several people and wrecking the bus she was on. And to complicate things further, there is a new family in town and she falls hard for the son, Jonah. His father is head of a group of people that want to put a power plant where her favorite place is, the falls
She learns of the Benandanti and since she is one, decides to follow them. Their counterpart, the Malandanti are evil. What are they up to and what does Alessia find out about herself and the boy she loves.
I really like this book and cannot wait for the next one so I can continue reading the story. The characters are real and the scenery that the story takes place is beautiful. I would recommend this book to those that like fantasy and nature, and those concerned about the environment....more
Uncle Ebb always told bedtime tales to Jasper and Lily Winter. But now he's disappeared and Lily has picked up a necklace belonging to him. She opens Uncle Ebb always told bedtime tales to Jasper and Lily Winter. But now he's disappeared and Lily has picked up a necklace belonging to him. She opens it and spins the dial...... She finds herself on one of the Moons, Uncle Ebb has told them about. Lily didn't think they were real. Now she knows differently. But how is she to return home.
Richard Due's writing is beautiful and draws the reader into each of the Moons that Lily visits. All the characters seem so human and real, even though the Rinn are cats. Each place is described and you feel that you are riding along with Lily, and you see the moons rise, and the evil that creeps across the lands.
This is a story worth reading and also reading to young kids. I would recommend this book to all who like fantasy stories....more
This is the fourth book of the Last Dragon Chronicles and the continuing story of the Pennykettles, David, Zanna, and Alexa.
It's been 5 years since DaThis is the fourth book of the Last Dragon Chronicles and the continuing story of the Pennykettles, David, Zanna, and Alexa.
It's been 5 years since David has disappeared and Zanna now has a daughter, Alexa, by David. Life is hard since Zanna misses David. Alexa draws dragons and talks of fairies, and everyone thinks it's a five year old gibberish. But is it? Lucy, now is a teen and still thinks David is alive. She meets Tam who is in cohoots with her to try to find David.
In the artic, all the snow bears are congregating and no one knows why? They are led by a bear called Ingavar. All hope rests on these bears against a darkness that is coming by the name of Ix. Will the Earth be saved or will the Ix and the darkness take over?
This is an excellent series, especially those that like dragons (my favorite is Gadzooks) for all ages. I have enjoyed reading them....more
Everything is finally brought together--Co:pern:ica, Earth and the Fain's Ki:mera. We finally learn wThis is the conclusion of the Last Dragon series.
Everything is finally brought together--Co:pern:ica, Earth and the Fain's Ki:mera. We finally learn where Gwillanna came from and all the history of Gawain, the last dragon.
Time has halted at Scuffenbury Hill, with the battle between the dragons and the Ix stopped. But something is trying the change the past and the future, something that is changing the timelines. Will David Rain, with Rosa, and Alexa with Joseph Henry be able to keep the timeline correct and not go from good to evil? Will the dragons of Crescent Cove survive?
This is a great ending, and a little sad perhaps for I will miss all the dragons of the story, especially Gadzooks, and Bonnington the cat (I'm a cat lover). If you like dragons, this series is worth reading....more
I love animals and spirit ones at that (I think mine is some sort of a cat). This is what attracted me to this book even though it is for middle gradeI love animals and spirit ones at that (I think mine is some sort of a cat). This is what attracted me to this book even though it is for middle graders.
It is the beginning of the series. There are ceremonies in each of the sections within Edras Children are picked and then given "nectar." The people then wait to see if there comes an animal, called to the child. People are amazed when the four animals that have come are those of the Great Beasts and who have fallen. The kids are Conor with the wolf, Briggan; Abeke with the leopard, Uraza; Meiin with the panda, Jhi; and Rollan with the gyrfalcon, Essix.
Three are picked up by the Green Cloaks (the good guys) and the last one (Abeke and Uraza) is picked up by the enemy The green cloaks know that evil is afoot and the need to rescue the talismans of each of the 15 beasts. The missing fallen beast and human finds out finally what side she is on when the battle for the talisman commences.
It is well written and keeps you engaged, rooting for the good guys. Brandon Mull does wonderful writing and appealing stories to middle graders. This one stands with them (and another thing, there is a computer game that goes with the story)....more
This is a story about a young girl who befriends a red-tailed hawk who is injured on her parents property.
Kate is a very intelligent girl who doesn't This is a story about a young girl who befriends a red-tailed hawk who is injured on her parents property.
Kate is a very intelligent girl who doesn't have many friends. She lives on a farm with her parents and grandmother in South Dakota. She loves to read and spends her free time reading books.
Orville is a red-tailed hawk who also is intelligent and has graduated from Flight School. He has a sight problem and because of that, he is injured at Kate's house. Kate and her grandma help Orville in his recuperation. During a fishing trip, the girl and the hawk separate on the way home. Orville arrives but Kate doesn't. Between Orville's hawk friends and Kate's family and friends, she is found.
I love books like this where there is a good story line, very picturesque writing (I feel I was there)and no magic or strange creatures. I like how Mr. Irby wove Orville's history along side Kate's, and how the humans seem to understand what the birds were thinking--the use of verbal sounds and eyes (not the way some books make the animals actually talk).
I would recommend this book to everyone that loves the outdoors, scenic areas, wildlife and a great story....more
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