Dog Books of Contemplation and Discovery
Purchases help fund Comparative Oncology Research and Cancer Treatment Grants for Working Dogs 


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Online or via pickup, we provide organic, eco-friendly, and chemical-free products, plus items to beautify your home and spirit. As a small volunteer-run nonprofit, we can't compete with the pricing at large stores. However, having no paid staff allows all our net proceeds to fund cancer research and  treatment for working dogs. Sit, stay & shop for what truly matters — health, home, happiness and healing.

 


We have many books here that will get one thinking about what is right and good in our world.

   The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy — and Why They Matter
   The Souls of Animals
   Angel Dogs: Divine Messengers of Love
   Angel Dogs with a Mission: Divine Messengers in Service to All Life 
 

 




The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy and Why They Matter
 

Based on award-winning scientist Marc Bekoff’s years of experience studying patterns of social communication in a wide range of species, this important 2007 publication shows that numerous animals have rich emotional lives. Animal emotions not only teach us about love, empathy, and compassion, argues Bekoff, but they require us to radically rethink our current relationship of domination and abuse of animals.

Bekoff skillfully blends extraordinary stories of animal joy, empathy, grief, embarrassment, anger, and love with the latest scientific research confirming the existence of emotions that common sense and experience with animals have long implied. Bekoff also explores the evolution of emotions and points to new scientific discoveries of brain structures shared by humans and animals that are important in processing emotions. He goes on to emphasize their role in establishing evolutionary continuity among diverse species and presents new findings of non-invasive neurological research and detailed behavioral studies. Filled with Bekoff’s light humor and touching stories, The Emotional Lives of Animals is a clarion call for reassessing both how we view animals and how we treat them.


Dr. Marc Bekoff is simply amazing, and his books never disappoint.
To get a flavor of what he is all about, please read
 and download the following articles

 

 


 

Any dog owner knows that her own pet has feelings, but what evidence exists beyond the anecdotal, and what does this evidence teach us? Bekoff, professor emeritus of biology at the University of Colorado, pores through decades of animal researchbehavioral, neurochemical, psychological and environmentalto answer that question, compelling readers to accept both the existence and significance of animal emotions.

Seated in the most primitive structures of the brain (pleasure receptors, for example, are biologically correlative in all mammals), emotions have a long evolutionary history. Indeed, as vertebrates became more complex, they developed ever more complex emotional and social lives, "setting rules" that permit group living-a far better survival strategy than going solo.

Along the way, Bekoff forces the reader to re-examine the nature of human beings; our species could not have persevered through the past 100,000 years without the evolution of strong and cohesive social relationships cemented with emotions, a conclusion contrary to contemporary pop sociology notions that prioritize individualism and competition. He also explores, painfully but honestly, the abuse animals regularly withstand in factory farms, research centers and elsewhere, and calls on fellow scientists to practice their discipline with "heart." Demonstrating the far-reaching implications for readers' relationships with any number of living beings, Bekoff's book is profound, thought-provoking and even touching.

For several years ethologist and author Bekoff (Minding Animals 2002; Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior, 2005) studied communication in wild and domestic animals and gradually became convinced that humans are not the only animals that experience emotions. Here, Bekoff examines the concept of emotion in the lives of nonhumans, the evolutionary advantages of emotions, and the neurological basis for emotions. The final sections focus on how to conduct scientifically rigorous research while addressing scientific rigidity on the subject of animal emotions, and the ethics of how we live our lives with animals. A readable book equally charming and challenging. 
 

His Holiness the Dalai Lama: "As a boy studying Buddhism in Tibet, I was taught the importance of a caring attitude toward others. Such a practice of nonviolence applies to all sentient beings — any living thing that has a mind. Where there is a mind, there are feelings such as pain, pleasure, and joy. No sentient beings want pain; instead, all want happiness. Since we all share these feelings at some basic level, as rational human beings we have an obligation to contribute in whatever way we can to the happiness of other species and try our best to relieve their fears and sufferings. I firmly believe that the more we care for the happiness of others, the greater our own sense of well-being becomes. Therefore, I welcome Marc Bekoff’s book, The Emotional Lives of Animals."

Price $15.00 each (soft cover book).


 

 

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The Souls of Animals
 

Why do elephants bury their dead? What makes birds sing and cranes dance? Do animals appreciate art? Do they know the difference between right and wrong? Do they experience awe and wonder? In this 2007 revised second edition of his celebrated book, Reverend Gary Kowalski combines heartwarming stories with solid science to show that other creatures are not insensitive objects devoid of feeling and intellect but thinking, sentient beings with an inward, spiritual life.

Gary Kowalski grapples with the big spiritual questions around our relationship with animals — whether they have souls, self-consciousness, awareness of death, a capacity for recognizing beauty and creating art. Ultimately, he asks, what do we lose in a world without animals, and what does that mean for our ongoing relationships with the creatures with whom we share our world? Souls of Animals addresses these and a variety of related topics in beautifully written vignettes. Kowalski explores how animals play, their sense of altruism, their selfless ability to love.

By "de-sacrilizing" animals, he argues, we make ourselves less human. The book contains thoughtful ideas for rituals and ceremonies, spiritual guidance, and readings and poems to use for solace in case a pet dies. “If we are to keep our family homestead — Earth — safe for coming generations,” writes Kowalski, “we must awaken to a new respect for the family of life."

Gary Kowalski currently serves as minister to the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington, Vermont. He holds degrees from Harvard College and Harvard Divinity School. He has written on behalf of animals for many years, with the best of his sermons published in 1989 by Harper & Row, Best Sermons.

Reverend Kowalski has written several books, including Goodbye Friend: Healing Wisdom For Anyone Who Has Ever Lost A Pet, The Bible According To Noah: Theology As If Animals Mattered, Science and the Search for G-d, and Revolutionary Spirits: The Enlightened Faith of America's Founding Fathers
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Tom Regan, author of The Case for Animal Rights: “Gary Kowalski’s voice is one that empowers us to say in public what we have thought in private — that animals love their companions, know grief and joy, and play and create. They are truly our brothers and sisters in fur, feather, and fun.”

Dr. Michael W. Fox, Vice President, the Humane Society of the United States and author of The Boundless Circle: Caring for Creatures and Creation: “This is an important book because it is so revealing of the animal soul that touches ours when we are open and receptive. In the process, our own souls are enriched.”

Price $14.


 

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Angel Dogs: Divine Messengers of Love
 

You already know dogs are healers and loving companions, but did you know they also serve as matchmakers, prisoner rehabilitation specialists, life savers, hospital welcoming committees, parent trainers, advice columnists, and also afterlife ambassadors? The 60 true stories in Angel Dogs celebrate the deep and ancient connection between people and dogs and will inspire you to live up to the divine example of our canine companions.

With a well-earned reputation as man's — as well as woman's — best friend, dogs have an uncanny ability to sense exactly what their human friends need. Gathered from thousands of stories Allen and Linda Anderson have received, as well as their own experiences, Angel Dogs demonstrates that dogs are not only faithful companions but also spiritual guides.

Stories include the four-legged speech therapist who helped a scared boy find his voice; the dog who came “special delivery” through the mail at just the right moment in a family’s life; the dog who helped guard Air Force One; dogs from the canine corps; and, service dogs. Some of the stories involve dogs returning after death to communicate with their owners. Fred Wickert, for example, doesn't seem like the woo-woo type: a Vietnam vet, he'd had a long career in the air force when he fell asleep one night while guarding Air Force One and believes his late cocker spaniel, Freckles, came to him in the hangar and wakened him before he was discovered sleeping on duty. Most of the stories included here involve dogs in this life rather than the next, but are based on the belief that dogs are spiritual creatures.

  • Collie Zeke woke Diana Johnson at 3:30 a.m. to let her know her premature baby had stopped breathing, saving her life.
  • Bill Mann tells of the deep, spiritual bond between his father and Aussie, who would break his chain to follow him on walks after Mann's father showed the dog kindness one day.
  • An empathic dog took on his friend’s pain even though they were miles away from each other.

The book also details new scientific findings on how dogs can save lives, sniff out cancerous tumors, and warn epileptics of impending seizures. Each story is followed by a short meditation that helps readers focus on the messages of love that dogs bring to their lives. At each chapter's end there is also an “advice column” written by the Andersons’ dog, Taylor. She answers the questions you’ve always wanted to know about dogs!

Doreen Virtue, author of Angel Medicine and Healing with the Angels: "The Andersons have done it again! Angel Dogs is a healing and heart-opening book. Highly recommended."

Christine Davis, author of For Every Dog An Angel and For Every Cat an Angel:
"If the love of your life has a wagging tail and drools a little, then this book is for you. Four paws up for this lovely collection of inspiring stories."

Price $14.


 

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Angel Dogs with a Mission: Divine Messengers in Service to All Life 

Angel Dogs with a Mission by authors, Allen and Linda Anderson, is a collection of twenty true stories about dogs who found their purpose in life and gave bucket-loads without expecting a return. The foreword is written by Marc Bekoff, PhD, professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

As with the hugely popular Marley & Me, millions of dog lovers will want to be inspired and entertained by the dramatic human-and-dog journeys in this new book. The amazing stories provide laughter, proof that miracles are possible, and tears the good kind. The courageous dogs you will meet include:

  • Keno, the yellow Lab took only 22 minutes to find a lift operator, buried in an avalanche (people can't survive more than 30 minutes) and was named Search and Rescue Dog of the Year in 2002 by Purina.
  • Abdul, the first service dog, trained by Bonnie Bergin and Kerrill Knaus-Hardy in the mid-70s, paved the way for people with disabilities to gain independence.
  • Marvin, a lame, Rhode Island SPCA Labrador retriever turned family pet, paints with his tail, has exhibits of his artwork, visits schools and nursing homes, and raises money to enable elderly and sick people to keep their pets.
  • Anna, a German shepherd at Ground Zero after September 11, damaged her lungs searching through the wreckage and inspired Sarah Atlas to start an assistance program for volunteer search and rescue dog handlers.
  • Kobi, a yellow Lab and beloved family pet with an exceptional sense of smell and intelligence, became one of the most famous cancer-sniffing dogs in the world and contributed to breakthrough research fro combating this deadly disease.
  • Tuffy, a King Charles Cavalier served as grief counselor with Dr. Karla Rose during the horrible days following the Virginia Tech shootings.
  • Skidboot, the world famous Texas blue heeler of cowboy and entertainer David Hartwig, was a guest on Jay Leno, Oprah, and David Letterman shows but started life as an abandoned puppy who grew up to become an inspiration for millions.

Amelia Kinkade, author of Straight from the Horse’s Mouth: “Another irresistible gift to the animal lovers of the world. This gorgeous collection of brilliant stories is a tribute to the fact that many of our most effective doctors, nurses, therapists, police officers, emotional counselors, rescue workers, and spiritual teachers have four legs instead of two.”

Marc Bekoff, PhD, author of The Emotional Lives of Animals:
“This book blurs — truly dismantles — the supposed line between the feelings that humans experience and those present in animals. Angel Dogs with a Mission will change your life and the lives of those with whom you share it.”

Price $14.95.


 


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