"A first-of-its kind, in-depth investigation into how companion animals and their humans have carved out a new type of family - the multi-species family - in which identities like parent, child, grandparent, and sibling transcend species to create new forms of kinship"--

Ever since her parents died on her fifth birthday, Thomasina has been daydreaming that something amazing will happen in her life to make up for everything she's been through. After turning sixteen, Thomasina begins to accept that her life will remain unremarkable... but when she wakes up one morning to discover that her foster family has been turned into pet animals, her ordinary life will turn into an extraordinary adventure!

Written by pet-lovers for pet-lovers, this engaging book tells you how to care for, clean, train, and entertain all sorts of animals, from canine to reptile. The Total Care Guide For All the Pets in Your Life features the same kind of practical advice, first-person stories from the experts, and amazing anecdotes from pet owners as the new public television series, featuring Gary Burghoff (Radar O'Reilly of M*A*S*H). The content is comprehensive, directed to pet owners who have (or are fascinated by) more than one animal. The information is authoritative, drawing on the wisdom of the nation's top veterinarians, trainers, and behaviorists. Fascinating sidebars include pet owners' personal stories and intriguing anecdotes from veterinarians. Dogs, cats, ferrets, snakes, birds, hamsters, rabbits, and other pets both popular and obscure are included in this comprehensive guide. A wide range of topics is covered, from health care to behavior issues. Each chapter is packed with practical, easy-to-follow advice, useful tips, and quick solutions. Fun-loving, browsable, and entirely trustworthy, this rollicking reference both informs and celebrates what it means to live with, love, and care for your pets.

“A thoughtful book” about how to ensure that the animals we love benefit from the relationship as much as we do (Kirkus Reviews). We feel love for our companions, and happiness that we’re providing them with a safe, healthy life. But sometimes we also feel guilt. When we see our cats gazing wistfully out the window, or watch a goldfish swim lazy circles in a bowl, we can’t help but wonder: Are we doing the right thing, keeping these independent beings locked up, subject to our control? Is keeping pets actually good for the pets themselves? That’s the question that animates Jessica Pierce’s powerful Run, Spot, Run. A bioethicist and a lover of pets herself (including, over the years, dogs, cats, fish, rats, hermit crabs, and more), Pierce explores the ambiguous ethics at the heart of this relationship, and through a mix of personal stories, philosophical reflections, and scientifically informed analyses of animal behavior and natural history, she puts pet-keeping to the test. Is it ethical to keep pets at all? Are some species more suited to the relationship than others? Are there species one should never attempt to own? And are there ways that we can improve our pets’ lives, so that we can be confident that we are giving them as much as they give us? “With gentle humor, clear compelling language, and always in search of the physically and emotionally healthiest lives possible for our animal companions, Run, Spot, Run moved me all the more because it’s written from the inside looking out. Pierce herself lives with three pets and understands the deep urge so many of us feel to connect across species lines.”—Barbara King, author of How Animals Grieve

PetSpeak by The Editors of Pets: Part of the Family What is your pet trying to tell you? The best way to understand dogs and cats is to see the world through their eyes, and this book shows you how to do just that. Packed with expert advice, easy-to-follow training techniques, and real-life examples, it's the only book you'll ever need to make your pet a fully responsive (and responsible) part of the family. Between these covers, you'll find eye-opening answers to hundreds of puzzling questions, such as: * Why does my dog sneak a drink from the toilet bowl when his own water dish is filled to the brim? * Why does my cat insist on walking on counters? * Why does my dog like rolling in smelly things so much? * Why does my cat suddenly scratch me while I'm petting her? Discover how to put an end to these perplexing behaviors, and... * Learn how to give commands so your dog will obey-- the first time. * Uncover the secret meaning of incessant yawning, teeth chattering, and other signals. * Meet dozens of delightful, inspiring pets and people who have already mastered petspeak.

In a book that draws on both personal stories and research presents an in-depth exploration of the practical, medical and moral issues that trouble pet owners confronted with the decline and death of their companion animals.

A pet-lover and award-winning journalist traces the history of cats and dogs and the changing social attitudes that transformed these furry creatures from pests and hunting tools in the middle ages to their current status as beloved family members. 30,000 first printing.