Opened during the Great Depression to provide treatment to animals of the poor, Melbourne's Lort Smith Animal Hospital has always owed its survival to the kindness of strangers. In this title, the stories, history, intrigues and historical photographs bring the story of a special institution to life.

As part of the "Free Stuff on the Internet" series, this book offers pet-loving Web surfers all the latest Internet sites, including guides for freshwater and saltwater aquarium owners; dozens of sites for different breeds of dogs, cats and birds; tips for caring for reptiles and exotic animals; and information on animal training, nutrition and safety. 150 illustrations.

Calling the toughest canine questions
Owning a dog is one of life's great joys, but sometimes the challenges it brings can make even the most devoted dog lovers panic, throw up their hands, or feel completely overwhelmed. Before you get to the end of your leash, turn to this friendly and relatable reference that's the next best thing to talking to a dog-owning friend who's seen it all.
In O"h My Dog," animal rights activist Beth Ostrosky Stern has compiled tips and invaluable advice from experts--and from her own experience as dogowner--to sooth concerns, answer questions big and small, and help you and your dog get the most out of your relationship. From the moment you even consider getting a dog, to caring for your old friend when his puppy years are far behind him, "Oh My Dog" covers every angle of dog ownership, including:
- Which breeds would be good match for me?
- What do I look for in a vet?
- How do I make sure our first night together is as stress-free as possible?
- What activities will help me bond with my dog?
- Is my dog showing sign of illness?
- What should I know before I head to a doggie day care or park?
- How do I read pet food labels?
- What should I do in an emergency?
Choc full of informative side bars, questionnaires, to-do lists, and much, much more, "Oh My Dog" is "the" answer-filled field guide for anybody who owns a dog or is considering getting one.
Beth Ostrosky Stern

What makes you purr? Of all the questions in the world, this is the most important. It is also the great leveler. Because no matter whether you are a playful kitten or a sedentary senior, a scrawny alley Tom or a sleek-coated uptown girl, whatever your circumstances, you just want to be happy. Not the kind of happy that comes and goes like a can of flaked tuna but an enduring happiness. The deep-down happiness that makes you purr from the heart.

Before leaving for a teaching tour to America, the Dalai Lama poses a challenge to his beloved feline, HHC (His Holiness's Cat): to discover the true cause of happiness. Little does she know what adventures this task will bring!

A hair-raising chase through the streets of McLeod Ganj leads to an unexpected revelation about the perils of self-obsession. An encounter with the mystical Yogi Tarchen inspires a breakthrough discovery about her past - one with dramatic implications for us all. And overhead conversations between ivy-league psychologists, high-ranking lamas, and famous writers who congregate at the Himalaya Book Cafe help her explore the convergence between science and Buddhism on the vital subject of happiness. Sparkling with wisdom, warmth, and a touch of mischief, The Dalai Lama's Cat and the Art of Purring is a charming reminder of why HHC is becoming one of the most-loved cats around the world.

So what is the true cause of purring? The Dalai Lama whispers this secret on his return - only for the ears of HHC and those with whom she has a karmic connection ...that, dear reader, means you!

Dogs and Cats in South Korea: Itinerant Commodities shows that though dogs and cats are consumed in the millions each year, they are recipients of both cruelty and care in a very unique way compared to other animal species in South Korean society. The anti-imperialist and postcolonial stances associated with the consumption of dogs and cats in South Korea are oversimplistic. Stereotypes by societies that do not eat these animals overshadow the various ways in which South Korean citizens interact with them, including companionship. In fact, many dogs and cats go from companion to livestock, and from livestock to companion, demonstrating that the relationships with these creatures are not only complex, but also fluid. The trajectories of the lives of dogs and cats are never linear. In that sense, individual dogs and cats in South Korea are itinerant animals navigating an exchange system based on culture, economics, and politics. With nuance and cultural understanding, Dugnoille tells the complicated stories of these animals in South Korea, as well as the humans who commoditize and singularize them.

From the moment we first open our homes - and our hearts - to a new pet, we know that one day we will have to watch this beloved animal age and die. The pain of that eventual separation is the cruel corollary to the love we share with them, and most of us deal with it by simply ignoring its inevitability. With The Last Walk, Jessica Pierce makes a forceful case that our pets, and the love we bear them, deserve better. Drawing on the moving story of the last year of the life of her own treasured dog, Ody, she 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. The Last Walk asks - and answers - the toughest questions pet owners face. The result is informative, moving, and consoling in equal parts; no pet lover should miss it.