In what promises to become an Omnivore's Dilemma for dog lovers-breed devotees and adoption advocates alike-The Dog Merchants is the first book to explain the complex and often surprisingly similar business practices that extend from the American Kennel Club to local shelters, from Westminster champions to dog auctions. Without judging dog lovers of any stripe, The Dog Merchants makes it clear that money spent among these dog merchants has real-world effects on people and canines. Kavin reveals how dog merchants create markets for dogs, often in defiance of the usual rules of supply and demand. She takes an investigative approach and meets breeders and rescuers at all levels, shedding much-needed light on an industry that most people don't even realize is an industry. Kavin's goal is to advance the conversation about how all dogs are treated, from puppy mills to high-kill shelters. She shows that a great deal can be improved by understanding the business practices behind selling dogs of all kinds. Instead of pitting rescue and purebred people against each other, The Dog Merchants shows how all dog lovers can come together with one voice as consumers, on behalf of all our beloved companions.

Tips for Booking Trips on All Budgets-from $1,000 to $1,000,000 "Kavin compares cruise ships and yacht charters to showcase the biggest advantage of the latter: personalized comfort." -"Soundings" "Charter cruising comes in many flavors, from fully crewed luxury megayachts to pilot-your-own bareboats, and Kim Kavin has sampled just about all of them." -"Offshore" Say good-bye to lengthy security lines, overpriced pia coladas, and jam-packed shore excursions. Never again will your cruise vacation include jostling with crowds, squishing into a kiddie-filled swimming pool, or rushing back from a land tour in time for a pre-assigned dinner seating on a massive, impersonal ship. "Dream Cruises" introduces you to the joys of private yacht charter vacations, a fast-growing and often surprisingly affordable alternative to cruise ships. With charters, you get the whole boat for your family and friends, with a crew catering only to you, and you go wherever you choose-from Alaska to the South Pacific. Based on first-hand experience as well as advice and information from sixty charter-industry experts worldwide, "Dream Cruises" explains which kinds of yachts are available, where to book them, how to find a trustworthy broker, what you can expect to pay, and much more. Why book another cabin when you can have the whole boat for yourself?