This book is not about how to learn Reiki; rather, it is about how to apply your knowledge of Reiki as a holistic healing modality with animals. The authors include many wonderful stories from their own work with Reiki and animals, as well as many guidelines (often illustrated with black and white photos) for both the novice and advanced Reiki practitioner.

Chapters range from the basics of understanding Reiki to giving treatments to many different types (and species) of animals, including older animals and those with special needs, to expanding the Reiki journey through service and advanced levels of practice. There is also an excellent resource section with websites and books that focus on not only Reiki, but animal communication, healing, hospice, holistic Veterinary practices and more.

If you practice Reiki or are interested in expanding your holistic healing repertoire with animals, this is a great book. The authors are knowledge and compassionate, and the writing is both engaging and easy to understand. Two paws up for this one!

~ Review by Keila Swan

Pet Emergency Pocket Guide: A Practical Guide for Pet Owners
by Informed Publishing
(Informed Publishing, 2008, spiral bound, soft-cover, $16.95. See www.informedguides.com for more.)

This incredibly handy pocket book is filled with an abundance of information, but measures a mere 3 by 5 inches and is less than 1/2 inch thick. Not only that, it is constructed with sturdy, waterproof, alcohol-fast pages so that you can record important information and carry it into almost any type of situation.

Basically designed like a miniature reference book, the guide is exceptionally well organized, with separate tabs for Emergencies, Basic Info, First Aid, Glossary and more. The book does a great job of guiding the reader to administer first aid and deal calmly  yet effectively with emergency situations. For example, it outlines the basics of assessing injuries (from common problems to serious conditions) along with some useful specifics: how to create a makeshift muzzle, administer CPR to different sized dogs, and remove porcupine quills. The First Aid section includes such information as how to take your pet’s pulse and how to properly perform the Heimlich maneuver on both small and large animals. The glossary covers a wide variety of issues—from  abdominal swelling and abscesses to weight loss and wound care. Also included are pages to record your pet’s medical history, your Vet’s phone number, and other important information.

What is most helpful is that the text offers “just the facts”—but lots of them! Concise and easy to understand with many clear, helpful illustrations, this little gem is great to have in the home, in the car, or whenever you are traveling with your best furry friend. Well worth the investment!

~ Review by Keila Swan

Almost Perfect: Disabled Pets and the People Who Love Them
Edited by Mary Shafer
(Word Forge Books, 2008, soft-cover, $12.95. See www.wordforgebooks.com for more.)

This anthology of eleven true-life stories looks at cats, dogs, and even a clever little rat named Cagney, along with the people who love them, care for them, and share their exceptional lives. The stories are told in a variety of ways—from first and third person accounts to a day by day journal entry as well as one intriguing tale told via a year by year observation.  Each story features photos of the animals and humans, along with a short biography.

As editor Mary Shafer notes in her introduction, the book was inspired by her feline friend Idgie, who was born without eyes. Contemplating his life with her, Shafer realized that everyone might benefit from living with an animal with disabilities. She notes, “Because failure to live their lives is not an option, these animals just accept their circumstances and get on with it. No pity parties, no drama. A little frustration sometimes, sure...but overall, they simply keep on keeping on. And they do it with such aplomb that you can’t help feeling challenged to do better with what you’ve been given in your own life.”

This interesting and heartwarming book offers many different stories and perspectives of the lessons learned and love shared with some magnificent beings. As contributor Vicki Tiernan notes in her story, “We are so very lucky to share the planet with them, they who are often our teachers, mislabeled as “lesser beings.” I very much enjoyed this book. I also shared it with my teenage daughters, who both fell in love with many of the heroes of this more than almost perfect anthology.

~ Review by Robyn Shanner

The Holistic Health Guide: Natural Care for the Whole Dog
by Doug Knueven, DVM
(TFH Publications, 2008, hard-cover, $21.95. See www.tfh.com for more.)

For those interested in going holistic with your canine pals, this 240-page guide is a top-notch resource. It’s clearly written, easy to understand, well organized and punctuated with some truly wonderful short stories and helpful side-bars. The design is also excellent: topics are presented clearly, broken up into small sections, and illustrated with plenty of color photos and diagrams.

The focus is, as the title suggests, wholly holistic. Chapters range from natural nutrition, acupuncture and chiropractic to massage therapy, herbal medicine and homeopathy.  What I appreciate most about this book (and, actually, there is lots to appreciate) is the very authentic way “Dr. Doug” speaks to his reader. I valued the way he shared his wealth of knowledge in a confident yet unpretentious manner. I liked the fact that he notes some decisions are personal, and that we are wise to take clues from our animal friends. This book doesn’t offer just one “right” way of doing things; rather, it offers a variety of views and many helpful suggestions. In short, this is an excellent guide to help readers extend their holistic regime to include their canine friends, and to understand more fully the huge benefits that holistic health offers to all species.