I'd read and enjoyed Grandin and Johnson's book Animals in Translation last year, and when I spotted this new book at the local Borders I pounced on it. It's grouped into chapters by types of animals, with insights into the way they each think, what they need, and what humans can do to make their lives better. And I found that Grandin's explanation of different emotional systems makes a tremendous amount of sense, whether applying them to animals or to people... Describing "SEEKING" as an emotion, for example - the impulse to search, to investigate.

In the chapter on dogs, she talks about the concept of an "alpha" pack leader, and points out some misconceptions about how wolves behave, as well as the ways in which domestic dogs in households differ from conventional wolf-packs. But she also goes into basic questions such as "how many dogs", how to spot a dog that will blend into the household more easily, what to do when an animal is nearing the end of its life...

The section on cats highlights the differences in the ways cats react compared to dogs - not that this is a new idea, but Grandin explains the reasons behind the differences, and offers suggestions for coping with cat behaviors. "Cats are hard to read," says one section-header - I had to smile at that; it's way too true!

I found the chapters on other animals of interest too, whether they were creatures I'd had experience with - horses, cows, chickens - or those I hadn't. Fascinating information, and some great suggestions - not just for dealing with family pets or farm animals, but on how to gain knowledge about the treatment of animals throughout the country, and how to work to improve their condition. Recommended!

I plan to leave this book in or near the entrance of The Peddler's Daughter pub at around 1. Hope the finder enjoys it!

[NOTE: the 2010 BookCrossing Unconvention in Boston is coming up soon, August 13-15; if interested in attending, this forum post has information and a link to the convention web site. And even if you can't attend, watch for lots of BC books to be released in the Boston area that weekend!]