Author: Katherine A. Houpt
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119232791
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 447
Book Description
Domestic Animal Behavior for Veterinarians and Animal Scientists, Sixth Edition is a fully updated revision of this popular, classic text offering a thorough understanding of the normal behavior of domestic animals. Provides a complete understanding of the normal behavior of domestic animals Covers dogs, cats, horses, pigs, sheep, cattle, and goats Describes all key aspects of animal behavior, with images to support the concepts Revised and updated to cover the latest thinking, with enhanced coverage of behavioral genetics, animal cognition, and learning Includes access to a companion website with review questions and answers and the figures from the book in PowerPoint
Domestic Animal Behavior for Veterinarians and Animal Scientists
Author: Katherine A. Houpt
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119232791
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 447
Book Description
Domestic Animal Behavior for Veterinarians and Animal Scientists, Sixth Edition is a fully updated revision of this popular, classic text offering a thorough understanding of the normal behavior of domestic animals. Provides a complete understanding of the normal behavior of domestic animals Covers dogs, cats, horses, pigs, sheep, cattle, and goats Describes all key aspects of animal behavior, with images to support the concepts Revised and updated to cover the latest thinking, with enhanced coverage of behavioral genetics, animal cognition, and learning Includes access to a companion website with review questions and answers and the figures from the book in PowerPoint
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119232791
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 447
Book Description
Domestic Animal Behavior for Veterinarians and Animal Scientists, Sixth Edition is a fully updated revision of this popular, classic text offering a thorough understanding of the normal behavior of domestic animals. Provides a complete understanding of the normal behavior of domestic animals Covers dogs, cats, horses, pigs, sheep, cattle, and goats Describes all key aspects of animal behavior, with images to support the concepts Revised and updated to cover the latest thinking, with enhanced coverage of behavioral genetics, animal cognition, and learning Includes access to a companion website with review questions and answers and the figures from the book in PowerPoint
Pit Bull
Author: Bronwen Dickey
Publisher: Knopf
ISBN: 0307961761
Category : Pets
Languages : en
Pages : 353
Book Description
The hugely illuminating story of how a popular breed of dog became the most demonized and supposedly the most dangerous of dogs—and what role humans have played in the transformation. When Bronwen Dickey brought her new dog home, she saw no traces of the infamous viciousness in her affectionate, timid pit bull. Which made her wonder: How had the breed—beloved by Teddy Roosevelt, Helen Keller, and Hollywood’s “Little Rascals”—come to be known as a brutal fighter? Her search for answers takes her from nineteenth-century New York City dogfighting pits—the cruelty of which drew the attention of the recently formed ASPCA—to early twentieth‑century movie sets, where pit bulls cavorted with Fatty Arbuckle and Buster Keaton; from the battlefields of Gettysburg and the Marne, where pit bulls earned presidential recognition, to desolate urban neighborhoods where the dogs were loved, prized—and sometimes brutalized. Whether through love or fear, hatred or devotion, humans are bound to the history of the pit bull. With unfailing thoughtfulness, compassion, and a firm grasp of scientific fact, Dickey offers us a clear-eyed portrait of this extraordinary breed, and an insightful view of Americans’ relationship with their dogs.
Publisher: Knopf
ISBN: 0307961761
Category : Pets
Languages : en
Pages : 353
Book Description
The hugely illuminating story of how a popular breed of dog became the most demonized and supposedly the most dangerous of dogs—and what role humans have played in the transformation. When Bronwen Dickey brought her new dog home, she saw no traces of the infamous viciousness in her affectionate, timid pit bull. Which made her wonder: How had the breed—beloved by Teddy Roosevelt, Helen Keller, and Hollywood’s “Little Rascals”—come to be known as a brutal fighter? Her search for answers takes her from nineteenth-century New York City dogfighting pits—the cruelty of which drew the attention of the recently formed ASPCA—to early twentieth‑century movie sets, where pit bulls cavorted with Fatty Arbuckle and Buster Keaton; from the battlefields of Gettysburg and the Marne, where pit bulls earned presidential recognition, to desolate urban neighborhoods where the dogs were loved, prized—and sometimes brutalized. Whether through love or fear, hatred or devotion, humans are bound to the history of the pit bull. With unfailing thoughtfulness, compassion, and a firm grasp of scientific fact, Dickey offers us a clear-eyed portrait of this extraordinary breed, and an insightful view of Americans’ relationship with their dogs.
Love, Laugh, Woof
Author: Lynn Stacy-Smith
Publisher: Archway Publishing
ISBN: 1480833045
Category : Pets
Languages : en
Pages : 171
Book Description
From the time she was five years old, author Lynn Stacy-Smith has lived side by side with dogs as her best friends and constant companions. Love, Laugh, Woof, a memoir and guide to being a compassionate forever dog owner, shares a collection of stories from the authors life with her dogs a tribute to how her dogs brought joy and adventure into her childhood and later life. It segues from her memories into a training manual and pet care book that helps potential pet owners decide if a dog is right for them, and the importance of training and teaching the dog the rules of living in a human world. Smith shares the responsibilities involved in bringing a pet into their lives, and she strives to help people become more compassionate and understanding dog owners. A combination of anecdotes and instructional materials, Love, Laugh, Woof offers a look at Smiths philosophy on dog ownership. Love Laugh, Woof is a way of life and a set of beliefs that she follows to be a loving, thoughtful and fair dog owner.
Publisher: Archway Publishing
ISBN: 1480833045
Category : Pets
Languages : en
Pages : 171
Book Description
From the time she was five years old, author Lynn Stacy-Smith has lived side by side with dogs as her best friends and constant companions. Love, Laugh, Woof, a memoir and guide to being a compassionate forever dog owner, shares a collection of stories from the authors life with her dogs a tribute to how her dogs brought joy and adventure into her childhood and later life. It segues from her memories into a training manual and pet care book that helps potential pet owners decide if a dog is right for them, and the importance of training and teaching the dog the rules of living in a human world. Smith shares the responsibilities involved in bringing a pet into their lives, and she strives to help people become more compassionate and understanding dog owners. A combination of anecdotes and instructional materials, Love, Laugh, Woof offers a look at Smiths philosophy on dog ownership. Love Laugh, Woof is a way of life and a set of beliefs that she follows to be a loving, thoughtful and fair dog owner.
The American Pit Bull Terrier Handbook
Author: Joe Stahlkuppe
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
ISBN: 1438081413
Category : Pets
Languages : en
Pages : 377
Book Description
When properly socialized at an early age, the very energetic American Pit Bull Terrier usually matures to become a friendly animal and a good family pet. Whether you're researching to bring a new puppy into your home, or are already enjoying the company of an American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT), this book will inform and guide you on your pet owning journey. This title, along with all books in the Pet Handbook series present comprehensive pet care information on specific animals and breeds, with advice on selecting and acquiring an animal, feeding and health maintenance, tips on how to train, and much more. Inside The American Pit Bull Terrier Handbook you will find: Common myths about the APBT dispelled APBT heritage and history, starting in Europe and coming to America Breed appearance and traits information Tips to understand the APBT's playfulness, strength, aggression triggers, and positive attributes Questions to ask yourself when considering bringing an APBT into your home Tips to prepare yourself and your home for successfully training and living with an APBT Caring for you APTB as a puppy and adult, including grooming, exercise, and travel information Training tips and tricks, including understanding pack behavior, crate-training, house-training, and considerations for using a professional trainer Exercise and activities for you to keep your APBT healthy and happy Feeding and nutritional information Health care needs, including preventative care, common breed medical problems, and caring for elderly APBT More! The American Pit Bull Terrier Handbook and all books in the Pet Handbook series feature many attractive color photos, a detailed table of contents and index, and useful addresses and additional literature to continue your education.
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
ISBN: 1438081413
Category : Pets
Languages : en
Pages : 377
Book Description
When properly socialized at an early age, the very energetic American Pit Bull Terrier usually matures to become a friendly animal and a good family pet. Whether you're researching to bring a new puppy into your home, or are already enjoying the company of an American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT), this book will inform and guide you on your pet owning journey. This title, along with all books in the Pet Handbook series present comprehensive pet care information on specific animals and breeds, with advice on selecting and acquiring an animal, feeding and health maintenance, tips on how to train, and much more. Inside The American Pit Bull Terrier Handbook you will find: Common myths about the APBT dispelled APBT heritage and history, starting in Europe and coming to America Breed appearance and traits information Tips to understand the APBT's playfulness, strength, aggression triggers, and positive attributes Questions to ask yourself when considering bringing an APBT into your home Tips to prepare yourself and your home for successfully training and living with an APBT Caring for you APTB as a puppy and adult, including grooming, exercise, and travel information Training tips and tricks, including understanding pack behavior, crate-training, house-training, and considerations for using a professional trainer Exercise and activities for you to keep your APBT healthy and happy Feeding and nutritional information Health care needs, including preventative care, common breed medical problems, and caring for elderly APBT More! The American Pit Bull Terrier Handbook and all books in the Pet Handbook series feature many attractive color photos, a detailed table of contents and index, and useful addresses and additional literature to continue your education.
The Other End of the Leash
Author: Patricia McConnell, Ph.D.
Publisher: Ballantine Books
ISBN: 0307489183
Category : Pets
Languages : en
Pages : 289
Book Description
Learn to communicate with your dog—using their language “Good reading for dog lovers and an immensely useful manual for dog owners.”—The Washington Post An Applied Animal Behaviorist and dog trainer with more than twenty years’ experience, Dr. Patricia McConnell reveals a revolutionary new perspective on our relationship with dogs—sharing insights on how “man’s best friend” might interpret our behavior, as well as essential advice on how to interact with our four-legged friends in ways that bring out the best in them. After all, humans and dogs are two entirely different species, each shaped by its individual evolutionary heritage. Quite simply, humans are primates and dogs are canids (as are wolves, coyotes, and foxes). Since we each speak a different native tongue, a lot gets lost in the translation. This marvelous guide demonstrates how even the slightest changes in our voices and in the ways we stand can help dogs understand what we want. Inside you will discover: • How you can get your dog to come when called by acting less like a primate and more like a dog • Why the advice to “get dominance” over your dog can cause problems • Why “rough and tumble primate play” can lead to trouble—and how to play with your dog in ways that are fun and keep him out of mischief • How dogs and humans share personality types—and why most dogs want to live with benevolent leaders rather than “alpha wanna-bes!” Fascinating, insightful, and compelling, The Other End of the Leash is a book that strives to help you connect with your dog in a completely new way—so as to enrich that most rewarding of relationships.
Publisher: Ballantine Books
ISBN: 0307489183
Category : Pets
Languages : en
Pages : 289
Book Description
Learn to communicate with your dog—using their language “Good reading for dog lovers and an immensely useful manual for dog owners.”—The Washington Post An Applied Animal Behaviorist and dog trainer with more than twenty years’ experience, Dr. Patricia McConnell reveals a revolutionary new perspective on our relationship with dogs—sharing insights on how “man’s best friend” might interpret our behavior, as well as essential advice on how to interact with our four-legged friends in ways that bring out the best in them. After all, humans and dogs are two entirely different species, each shaped by its individual evolutionary heritage. Quite simply, humans are primates and dogs are canids (as are wolves, coyotes, and foxes). Since we each speak a different native tongue, a lot gets lost in the translation. This marvelous guide demonstrates how even the slightest changes in our voices and in the ways we stand can help dogs understand what we want. Inside you will discover: • How you can get your dog to come when called by acting less like a primate and more like a dog • Why the advice to “get dominance” over your dog can cause problems • Why “rough and tumble primate play” can lead to trouble—and how to play with your dog in ways that are fun and keep him out of mischief • How dogs and humans share personality types—and why most dogs want to live with benevolent leaders rather than “alpha wanna-bes!” Fascinating, insightful, and compelling, The Other End of the Leash is a book that strives to help you connect with your dog in a completely new way—so as to enrich that most rewarding of relationships.
American Pit Bull Terrier
Author: Liz Palika
Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
ISBN: 0470362707
Category : Pets
Languages : en
Pages : 124
Book Description
The authoritative information and advice you need, illustrated throughout with full-color photographs—now revised and redesigned to be even more reader-friendly! Powerful, but affectionate. Enthusiastic and fun, but hard working. Playful, yet provocative. Exceptionally intelligent, but sometimes comical. American Pit Bull Terriers are among the most beloved dogs as well as the most misunderstood, feared, and despised. This guide fills you in on the breed's needs and attributes, covering: The distinction between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the "generic" pit bull Traits to look for in choosing your pet Things you'll need to make your pup feel at home Feeding, grooming, and healthcare The importance of positive yet firm training, socialization, and supervision around kids Provide guidance for American Pit Bull Terrier and you will have a loyal companion for life.
Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
ISBN: 0470362707
Category : Pets
Languages : en
Pages : 124
Book Description
The authoritative information and advice you need, illustrated throughout with full-color photographs—now revised and redesigned to be even more reader-friendly! Powerful, but affectionate. Enthusiastic and fun, but hard working. Playful, yet provocative. Exceptionally intelligent, but sometimes comical. American Pit Bull Terriers are among the most beloved dogs as well as the most misunderstood, feared, and despised. This guide fills you in on the breed's needs and attributes, covering: The distinction between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the "generic" pit bull Traits to look for in choosing your pet Things you'll need to make your pup feel at home Feeding, grooming, and healthcare The importance of positive yet firm training, socialization, and supervision around kids Provide guidance for American Pit Bull Terrier and you will have a loyal companion for life.
American Pit Bull Terrier
Author: Dog Fancy Magazine
Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing
ISBN: 159378824X
Category : Pets
Languages : en
Pages : 177
Book Description
Dedicated to the American Pit Bull Terrier, one of the world’s most loyal, intelligent, and versatile breeds, this Smart Owner’s Guide, created by the editors at Dog Fancy magazine, offers the most up-to-date and accurate information every dog owner needs to become a well-informed caregiver for his dog. Illustrated with color photographs of adorable puppies and handsome adults, this easy-to-read primer is designed in a modern, lively manner that readers will find user-friendly and entertaining. Each Smart Owner’s Guide offers a description of the breed’s character and physical conformation, historical overview, and its attributes as a companion dog. The reader will find informative chapters on everything he or she needs to know about acquiring, raising, and training this remarkable purebred dog, including: finding a breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy; preparing for the puppy’s homecoming, shopping for supplies, and puppy-proofing the home; house-training; veterinary and home health maintenance; feeding and nutrition; and grooming. Obedience training for basic cues (sit, stay, heel, come, etc.) and solving potential problem behaviors (barking, chewing, aggression, jumping up, etc.) are addressed in separate chapters, as are activities to enjoy with the dog, including showing, agility, therapy work, and more. Entertaining tidbits and smart advice fill up colorful sidebars in every chapter, real-life heroes and rescue stories are retold in full-page features, and recipes, training, and care tips are also highlighted on special pages. The Smart Owner’s Guide series is the only series that offers readers an online component in which dog owners can join a breed-specific online club hosted by dogchannel.com. At Club APBT, owners of the breed can find forums, blogs, and profiles to connect with other breed owners, as well as charts and checklists that can be downloaded. More than just 20,000 pages of solid information, there’s a host of fun to be had at the club in the form of downloadable breed-specific e-cards, screensavers, games, and quizzes. The Resources section of the book includes contact information for breed-related organizations and rescues, as well as practical guidance on traveling with dogs, identification, and locating qualified professionals to assist the dog owner, such as pet sitters, trainers, and boarding facilities. This information-packed Smart Owner’s Guide is fully indexed.
Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing
ISBN: 159378824X
Category : Pets
Languages : en
Pages : 177
Book Description
Dedicated to the American Pit Bull Terrier, one of the world’s most loyal, intelligent, and versatile breeds, this Smart Owner’s Guide, created by the editors at Dog Fancy magazine, offers the most up-to-date and accurate information every dog owner needs to become a well-informed caregiver for his dog. Illustrated with color photographs of adorable puppies and handsome adults, this easy-to-read primer is designed in a modern, lively manner that readers will find user-friendly and entertaining. Each Smart Owner’s Guide offers a description of the breed’s character and physical conformation, historical overview, and its attributes as a companion dog. The reader will find informative chapters on everything he or she needs to know about acquiring, raising, and training this remarkable purebred dog, including: finding a breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy; preparing for the puppy’s homecoming, shopping for supplies, and puppy-proofing the home; house-training; veterinary and home health maintenance; feeding and nutrition; and grooming. Obedience training for basic cues (sit, stay, heel, come, etc.) and solving potential problem behaviors (barking, chewing, aggression, jumping up, etc.) are addressed in separate chapters, as are activities to enjoy with the dog, including showing, agility, therapy work, and more. Entertaining tidbits and smart advice fill up colorful sidebars in every chapter, real-life heroes and rescue stories are retold in full-page features, and recipes, training, and care tips are also highlighted on special pages. The Smart Owner’s Guide series is the only series that offers readers an online component in which dog owners can join a breed-specific online club hosted by dogchannel.com. At Club APBT, owners of the breed can find forums, blogs, and profiles to connect with other breed owners, as well as charts and checklists that can be downloaded. More than just 20,000 pages of solid information, there’s a host of fun to be had at the club in the form of downloadable breed-specific e-cards, screensavers, games, and quizzes. The Resources section of the book includes contact information for breed-related organizations and rescues, as well as practical guidance on traveling with dogs, identification, and locating qualified professionals to assist the dog owner, such as pet sitters, trainers, and boarding facilities. This information-packed Smart Owner’s Guide is fully indexed.
The Dog Fancier
The American Pit Bull Terrier (History of Fighting Dogs Series)
Author: Joseph L. Colby
Publisher: Read Books Ltd
ISBN: 1446548872
Category : Pets
Languages : en
Pages : 99
Book Description
Originally published in 1936, this book is extremely rare in its early editions. Hugely informative and in-depth, it is a complete treatise on the breed covering the entire field, with particular emphasis on dog-fighting. Colby discusses selection, breeding, conditioning, gameness and care of the pit dog. Interviews all the trainers of the day, pictures and discusses all the greatest dogs, including Donovan's Boxer, Tige and Pilot, Brown's Tacoma Jack, Leeming's Butte and all of Colby's kennel. Details of many famous battles and lists of champions. Also includes conditioning, breeding and whelping chart. Contents Include: Origin of the Pit Bull Terrier History of the American Pit Bull Terrier American Pit Bull Terrier Standard The American Pit Bull Terrier An All Purpose Dog Selecting a Puppy Selecting the Brood Matron Selecting the Stud Dog Selecting the Pit Dog The Greatest Pit Dog I Have Ever Owned Mitchell's Prof-Spike Barber's Hobo Joe Colby's Pincher Pr. Exeter Ace Colby's Bunch Colby's Gully Mexico's Champion Sordito vs Exchave's Jeff Miller's Buddy vs Breeding's Tom W.H.D. Vose and John P. Colby The Treadmill or Conditioning Machine Gameness and the Pit Dog Preparing the Pit Dog for Battle Conditioning the Pit Dog General Care of the Dog After a Battle Helpful Suggestions in Fighting Dogs Rules Governing Recognized Pit Contests Champions of Record States Requiring Veterinarians Certificate Suggestions on Shipping a Dog Cropping the Ears Technical Terms as Applied to Dogs Condition Chart Stud Service Chart Breeding Chart Whelping ChartKeywords: Pit Bull Terrier American Pit Bull Terrier Selecting A Puppy American Pit Bull Colby Gameness Breeding And Whelping Whelping Chart Hobo Joe Terrier History Famous Battles Matron Brood Treatise
Publisher: Read Books Ltd
ISBN: 1446548872
Category : Pets
Languages : en
Pages : 99
Book Description
Originally published in 1936, this book is extremely rare in its early editions. Hugely informative and in-depth, it is a complete treatise on the breed covering the entire field, with particular emphasis on dog-fighting. Colby discusses selection, breeding, conditioning, gameness and care of the pit dog. Interviews all the trainers of the day, pictures and discusses all the greatest dogs, including Donovan's Boxer, Tige and Pilot, Brown's Tacoma Jack, Leeming's Butte and all of Colby's kennel. Details of many famous battles and lists of champions. Also includes conditioning, breeding and whelping chart. Contents Include: Origin of the Pit Bull Terrier History of the American Pit Bull Terrier American Pit Bull Terrier Standard The American Pit Bull Terrier An All Purpose Dog Selecting a Puppy Selecting the Brood Matron Selecting the Stud Dog Selecting the Pit Dog The Greatest Pit Dog I Have Ever Owned Mitchell's Prof-Spike Barber's Hobo Joe Colby's Pincher Pr. Exeter Ace Colby's Bunch Colby's Gully Mexico's Champion Sordito vs Exchave's Jeff Miller's Buddy vs Breeding's Tom W.H.D. Vose and John P. Colby The Treadmill or Conditioning Machine Gameness and the Pit Dog Preparing the Pit Dog for Battle Conditioning the Pit Dog General Care of the Dog After a Battle Helpful Suggestions in Fighting Dogs Rules Governing Recognized Pit Contests Champions of Record States Requiring Veterinarians Certificate Suggestions on Shipping a Dog Cropping the Ears Technical Terms as Applied to Dogs Condition Chart Stud Service Chart Breeding Chart Whelping ChartKeywords: Pit Bull Terrier American Pit Bull Terrier Selecting A Puppy American Pit Bull Colby Gameness Breeding And Whelping Whelping Chart Hobo Joe Terrier History Famous Battles Matron Brood Treatise
The Angel on My Shoulder
Author: Jolene Mercadante
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 1462027636
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 236
Book Description
Jolene writes with great heart and passion about a dog breed disenfranchised not because of what they are, but because of what we imagine them to be. I love stories that support the underdog, and Jolenes tale of her beloved pit bull terrier is exactly that. It is also a delight to read, and a worthy story to ponder. And you will fall in love with Rumer, Ill promise you that. Susan Knilans McElroy, author of Animals As Teachers and Healers and Animals as Guides for the Soul Jolene has truly captured the ways animals enrich and bless our lives in profound ways. Not only is Angel On My Shoulder a story of an exceptional, loving pit bull named Rumer, it is on a larger scale the defense of a gentle, loyal breed that has been much maligned and misunderstood. May it help everyone understand both the true nature of the American Pit Bull as well as the true nature of love. Katrina Kittle, author of The Kindness of strangers and The Blessings of the Animals Far more than any other breed, the American pit bull represents different things to different people. Badly managed dogs grab headlines because their behavior is atypical; Jolenes experience represents the far less shocking though no less fascinating reality of life with a peaceful, loving, comedic pit bull as best friend. If you enjoy tales of true love, you will value this story. Diane Jessup, author of The Working Pit Bull and The Dog Who Spoke With Gods On a bitterly cold February day in 1992, a woman named Jolene found herself with a choice to make: the brindle puppy in a kindly strangers left palmor the red puppy in his right? For Jolene Mercadante, a librarian and lifelong animal advocate, this was the first tentative step on a journey that would impact the way she lived the rest of her life. She had no way of knowing how Rumer, a single little soul the size of a sausage, was about to change her life. Through all of lifes great adventuresthe perfect five-week-old baby; the lanky, rebellious teenager; the extraordinary, splendid adultRumer was a creature of humor and love. She joyfully shattered the unjust pit bull stereotypes. She might not have been a heroic rescue dog, a therapy dog, or a war hero; there are other pit bulls who can claim this fame. But Rumer did touch the lives of everyone who knew her, and that made her heroic in her own way. She did save us, she did rescue us, and she was our hero in so many ways. Rumer was an ordinary dog who lived an ordinary life, but thats what made her extraordinary. This memoir is an unforgettable love story and an uplifting journey brought about by the life of a truly pure and beautiful soul.
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 1462027636
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 236
Book Description
Jolene writes with great heart and passion about a dog breed disenfranchised not because of what they are, but because of what we imagine them to be. I love stories that support the underdog, and Jolenes tale of her beloved pit bull terrier is exactly that. It is also a delight to read, and a worthy story to ponder. And you will fall in love with Rumer, Ill promise you that. Susan Knilans McElroy, author of Animals As Teachers and Healers and Animals as Guides for the Soul Jolene has truly captured the ways animals enrich and bless our lives in profound ways. Not only is Angel On My Shoulder a story of an exceptional, loving pit bull named Rumer, it is on a larger scale the defense of a gentle, loyal breed that has been much maligned and misunderstood. May it help everyone understand both the true nature of the American Pit Bull as well as the true nature of love. Katrina Kittle, author of The Kindness of strangers and The Blessings of the Animals Far more than any other breed, the American pit bull represents different things to different people. Badly managed dogs grab headlines because their behavior is atypical; Jolenes experience represents the far less shocking though no less fascinating reality of life with a peaceful, loving, comedic pit bull as best friend. If you enjoy tales of true love, you will value this story. Diane Jessup, author of The Working Pit Bull and The Dog Who Spoke With Gods On a bitterly cold February day in 1992, a woman named Jolene found herself with a choice to make: the brindle puppy in a kindly strangers left palmor the red puppy in his right? For Jolene Mercadante, a librarian and lifelong animal advocate, this was the first tentative step on a journey that would impact the way she lived the rest of her life. She had no way of knowing how Rumer, a single little soul the size of a sausage, was about to change her life. Through all of lifes great adventuresthe perfect five-week-old baby; the lanky, rebellious teenager; the extraordinary, splendid adultRumer was a creature of humor and love. She joyfully shattered the unjust pit bull stereotypes. She might not have been a heroic rescue dog, a therapy dog, or a war hero; there are other pit bulls who can claim this fame. But Rumer did touch the lives of everyone who knew her, and that made her heroic in her own way. She did save us, she did rescue us, and she was our hero in so many ways. Rumer was an ordinary dog who lived an ordinary life, but thats what made her extraordinary. This memoir is an unforgettable love story and an uplifting journey brought about by the life of a truly pure and beautiful soul.