Lots of great books come our way at UAN.

When the Sacramento House Rabbit Society learned about the Humane Education Ambassador Reader (HEAR) program, they sought out and donated to us Rabbits: Gentle Hearts, Valiant Spirits by Marie Mead and Nancy La Roche to provide us with a resource about these amazing animals. We have all been enjoying it.

What books do you suggest for learning about and understanding the bond between people and animals?

- Alexa

I had been thinking about Marley and Me and what the feline equivelent might be, and I realised it's the triligy of bookd by Peter Gethers. I can't remember the middle title, but the first is "The Cat That Went To Paris" and the last is "The Cat That Will Live Forever". Gethers had a very special bond with his Scottish Fold cat Norton, and it comes through very clearly in the book. The third book take most of a box of Klenex to get through. Yes, it's an autoboigraphical book about one animal, but it strongly illustrates the extent to which a pet will become a part of our life.

Thanks for the recommendation. I looked up the Gethers books about his cat Norton. The last one, "The Cat Who'll Live Forever" seems especially moving. I wonder about starting with that book and reading in reverse order to the first to see how the author's relationship with Norton evolves?

- Alexa

Alexa lent me this book to review, and though I am not familiar with rabbits, this book not only provided detailed information about rabbit care and personalities, but truly touched my heart as well - their capacity for resilience and ability to bond is amazing. Not long after the call, I received a call from someone in regards to her rabbits, and my empathy was magnified because of my experience with this book. I highly recommend it!

To clarify - my last message was in regards to Rabbits: Gentle Hearts, Valiant Spirits by Marie Mead and Nancy La Roche

Alexa; I read the Norton books in order, because I found the series after the paperback release of the first book, then spotted the second in a bookstore. I found out about the third when there was a small notice in Cat Fancy Magazine that Norton had passed away during the writing of "The Cat That Will Live Forever". Rather ironic, that. I don't think the last book has as much impact without getting to know Norton in the first two. by the time you get to the third book, Norton is like an old friend, and you understand how Gethers feels about their friendship. It makes his death in the third book all that much more poignant. It's partly good writing, and partly a wonderfull character that makes us feel his sloss so strongly. For all the people out there who can't understand why a co-worker might come in to the office completely broken up because their pet just died ("It's only an animal!"), this book shows you why.

Sounds like the Norton books could be a good way to introduce the idea of bonding with a pet to people for whom the idea might be new....

- Alexa

Rescued: Saving Animals from Disaster [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)
by Allen Anderson (Author), Linda Anderson (Author), John Ensign (Foreword)
I recommend this for all volunteers. Very informative. I learned a lot & beleive it helped prepare me for leaving on my 1st deployment tomorrow for the Fargo flooding.

Thank you for recommending Rescued: Saving Animals from Disasters! I have only recently heard about this book, but I know it includes a section on The Changing Relationship Between People and Animals. It sounds like it will be an informative read for anyone interested in learning more about animal rescues. Inexpensive used copies of this book are available at Amazon.com!
Good luck on your first deployment and thank you for your compassion toward animals!

Hi All,
I just found a copy of this book at my local Half Priced Book store in Indianapolis for $8.00. I look forward to reading it in preparation for my next deployment.
Puppy hugs to all,
Dori

Hi Coke,

Sounds like a good book. Having been to New Orleans after Katrina, my advice would for you to be careful and remember there is support for you after you return home.

Bless you for what you are doing for the animals!

Newt

I bought Rescued as soon as it came out. I loved that it covered all the groups involved, not just Best Friends, but I felt the authors bent over backwards to not offend anyone and to be politically correct. It also cuts off just before Celebration Station. Pawprints From Katrina goes from working the floodwaters to following up with some of the people and animals after CS shut down. It was written by a reporter who later went to work for Best Friends, so it does focus a lot on them. But she does tell the stories of other groups and individuals, and her focus on BF sounds more like it's simply that this was the group she had the best access to, not that she was deliberatly out to promote them over others. So far, it's my favorite of the books to come out of Katrina (and not just because I know so many of the people mentioned in the book). Another book I bought (at the 3rd aniversary of Katrina event) was Eight State Kate. It's the story of one dog a Katrina volunteer fostered and later adopted. I'm not much of a "dog person" and the later part of the book loses me, but the first half covers the author's experiences as a volunteer at Lamar Dixon. The author is fair, but does not candy-coat her experience, and I believe gives a fair accounting of what it was like.

There were so many facets and viewpoints to that experience. The more viewpoints that are presented, the more we will have a balanced picture of what happened.

You can learn more about the book "8 State Hurricane Kate: The Journey and Legacy of a Katrina Cattle Dog" at https://www.createspace.com/3342404 and at www.8StateKate.net. 50% of book profits go to the 8 State Kate Fund, Providing financial relief for animals in desperate situations.

Here is an official description of the book:

Nominated for the Merial Human-Animal Bond Award! 8 State Hurricane Kate is the unforgettable story of the powerful bond between a cattle dog rescued from a rooftop and the woman who wouldn't give up on her. The heartwarming story of Kate's post-Katrina journey is a testament to the will and perseverance of the dog and human spirit! As they make that courageous journey, new worlds open up for Jenny and Kate, an amazing survivor and teacher. Kate's remarkable story, a tale of love, courage, and compassion, has inspired many others. Her legacy is a rescue network that continues to help dogs across the country.

"8 State Hurricane Kate is a great true story which will appeal to dog owners and their best friends." --Midwest Book Review

"...this book is all about encouragement... I... thank Jenny Pavlovic for this great gift of "8 State Hurricane Kate." -Danelle Drake for Reader Views

"Jenny Pavlovic's story should inspire everyone to do a little bit more, to try a little bit harder, and to believe in our abilities to get things done." -Jeff Dorson, Executive Director, Humane-LA

"8 State Hurricane Kate... exemplifies the tremendous spirit of the people of the Gulf Coast, of the animals caught up in the maelstrom, and of the individuals who couldn't stand by and watch it happen without doing something to help." -Amy Maher, Board Chair, Noah's Wish