Celebrate the wisdom of the sandbox—the witty, innocent, surprising, and yet completely sensible things that kids say and do. A little book with a big heart, Really Important Stuff My Kids Have Taught Me combines deceptively simple life lessons with engaging images that together not only offer insight but inspire joy. Kids see the world in a way that adults don’t, so glimpsing life through a child’s eyes offers a fresh—and often funny—perspective. Kids encourage us to be open-minded: There are a lot of different ways to get to the top of the jungle gym. To be fearless: Jump right in or you may change your mind about swimming. To aim high: Even babies grab for things just beyond their reach. To be kind to yourself: Sometimes you need a Saturday on a Wednesday. To follow your own path: If the flowers you draw don’t look like anyone else’s, that’s good. And to stay young: Go barefoot! Tune in to the chatter on the playground, and remind yourself how simple everything really is.

A book that will delight every cat lover, full of wise and unforgettable life lessons, each paired with the perfect photo. Cats are the ultimate savants, possessing intelligence, poise, and sass in equal measure. They know when to play it cool, and when to pounce; when to fly solo, and when to cuddle up. Entertaining, unpredictable, and just a bit wild, cats encourage us to explore, take chances, and live on the edge—just as if we too had nine lives. Cynthia L. Copeland, author of the bestselling Really Important Stuff My Dog Has Taught Me and Really Important Stuff My Kids Have Taught Me, now turns her attention to our mysterious feline friends. Every page of this full-color gift book is a joyful reminder of what’s important in life. Like Confidence: “Insist on a seat at the table.” Curiosity: “Have more questions than answers.” Adventure: “Sometimes you have to leap before you look.” Individuality: “You’ll be remembered for what sets you apart.” Kindness: “Recognize the power of your purr.” And Solitude: “Find your own square of sunshine.”

'A wonderful read' -- Lorraine Kelly In this book for dog lovers everywhere, Jonathan Wittenberg says his dogs have taught him, more than anything else, how to appreciate the wonderful world in which we live -- and how to develop better relationships with his friends and families. In this wonderful, warm account of one man and his dog, Jonathan brings all the big themes of friendship, faithfulness, kindness, cruelty, grief, prayer and spiritual companionship to the fore, and shows us how we can learn so much from a dog's approach to life. If you're one of the 8.5 million dog owners in the UK the answer to a better way of living may already be under your roof.

“My dogs and I get along best when I hit the birds they produce for me. Putting the odds in my favor is the least I can do. Now, so can you.” If you hunt for pheasants, grouse, quail, and other upland birds, forming a partnership with your dog can be a daunting challenge. Wingshooting USA’s Scott Linden is here to help. What the Dogs Taught Me fills in the blanks for the wingshooter and dog owner with solid advice that will improve dog and hunter’s levels of communication, respect, and hunting efficiency. With lessons on dogs’ desires, skills, and abilities to learn, care and feeding, health and safety, preparation, and shooting, What the Dogs Taught Me is the ultimate guide to maximizing happiness and minimizing frustration whether out on the hunt or relaxing in the backyard. Even better, Linden’s lovable, often hilarious tone makes taking advice on training, strategizing, and partnership enjoyable to human and canine alike. Don’t be a student at the school of hard knocks—What the Dogs Taught Me advances an upland hunter’s skills quickly, creatively, and without any of the angst of more difficult methods.

While observing exotic animal trainers for her acclaimed book Kicked, Bitten, and Scratched, journalist Amy Sutherland had an epiphany: What if she used these training techniques with the human animals in her own life–namely her dear husband, Scott? In this lively and perceptive book, Sutherland tells how she took the trainers’ lessons home. The next time her forgetful husband stomped through the house in search of his mislaid car keys, she asked herself, “What would a dolphin trainer do?” The answer was: nothing. Trainers reward the behavior they want and, just as important, ignore the behavior they don’t. Rather than appease her mate’s rising temper by joining in the search, or fuel his temper by nagging him to keep better track of his things in the first place, Sutherland kept her mouth shut and her eyes on the dishes she was washing. In short order, Scott found his keys and regained his cool. “I felt like I should throw him a mackerel,” she writes. In time, as she put more training principles into action, she noticed that she became more optimistic and less judgmental, and their twelve-year marriage was better than ever. What started as a goofy experiment had such good results that Sutherland began using the training techniques with all the people in her life, including her mother, her friends, her students, even the clerk at the post office. In the end, the biggest lesson she learned is that the only animal you can truly change is yourself. Full of fun facts, fascinating insights, hilarious anecdotes, and practical tips, What Shamu Taught Me About Life, Love, and Marriage describes Sutherland’s Alice-in-Wonderland experience of stumbling into a world where cheetahs walk nicely on leashes and elephants paint with watercolors, and of leaving a new, improved Homo sapiens.

A revolutionary way to raise and train your dog, with “a wealth of practical tips, tricks, and fun games that will enrich the lives of many dogs and their human companions” (Dr. Ian Dunbar, veterinarian and animal behaviorist). Zak George is a new type of dog trainer. A dynamic YouTube star and Animal Planet personality with a fresh approach, Zak helps you tailor dog training to your pet’s unique traits and energy level—leading to quicker results and a much happier pup. For the first time, Zak has distilled the information from his hundreds of videos and experience with thousands of dogs into this comprehensive dog and puppy training guide that includes: • Choosing the right pup for you • Housetraining and basic training • Handling biting, leash pulling, jumping up, barking, aggression, chewing, and other behavioral issues • Health care essentials like finding a vet and selecting the right food • Cool tricks, traveling tips, and activities to enjoy with your dog • Topics with corresponding videos on Zak’s YouTube channel so you can see his advice in action Packed with everything you need to know to raise and care for your dog, this book will help you communicate and bond with one another in a way that makes training easier, more rewarding, and—most of all—fun!

A New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe and Indie Bestseller! Playful spaniels completely covered with snow—“There’s no such thing as ‘bad’ weather.” Two happy dogs sleeping, one on top of the other— “Sometimes you need a pillow. Sometimes you are the pillow." The bulldog who’s headfirst in her bowl—“Every meal is THE BEST MEAL EVER.” Cynthia L. Copeland has a gift for discovering those sorts of simple, timeless lessons. She did it when her children were younger with Really Important Stuff My Kids Have Taught Me. Now she distills all-new wisdom from her lifelong love of dogs. Really Important Stuff My Dog Has Taught Me is tender, funny, warm, and utterly inspiring. Pairing an irresistible photograph with just the right sentiment, every page delivers a life lesson that appeals as much to our hearts as our minds. It reminds us again and again of what’s important, like love: “Be there when others need you.” Compassion: “Even the smallest act of kindness matters.” Perseverance: “Keep going until you find your way home.” A healthy sense of self: “Make it squeak until someone pays attention.” Living in the present moment: “Scratch where it itches, when it itches.” And that happiness is a choice: “Leap higher than you have to.”

News for dogs and dog lovers to smile about: The irresistible bestseller is now even more irresistible with a 4-by-6-inch “chunky” format. As quirky, colorful, and giftable as ever, 97 Ways to Make a Dog Smile is now fresher and more appealing. Developed by Jenny Langbehn, a veterinary nurse who has a gift for making dogs happy, here are 97 foolproof methods and tricks for putting any dog into a state of pure pleasure. Enhancing each entry is an adorable, full-color photograph of the guaranteed result—a smiling dog. Give these a try: Lower-Ear Noogies. The Thumper. Lazy Man’s Tetherball. The Hansel and Gretel—“For an afternoon of fun, scamper about the house leaving a trail of plain popped popcorn in your wake.” Or “Subliminal Game,” which works by sneaking a favorite word like “cookie” into otherwise boring jabber.* The tricks require no fancy props or special talents—just a willingness to surrender yourself to sheer silliness. They combine the creative gift of touch— unexpected ways to rub, massage, scratch, tickle, and knead—with imaginative play scenarios that are just loopy enough to ensure your dog will be amused, whether he’s laughing with you or at you. These tricks really work. *Don’t forget to have said cookie on hand.

'A wonderful read' -- Lorraine Kelly In this book for dog lovers everywhere, Jonathan Wittenberg says his dogs have taught him, more than anything else, how to appreciate the wonderful world in which we live -- and how to develop better relationships with his friends and families. In this wonderful, warm account of one man and his dog, Jonathan brings all the big themes of friendship, faithfulness, kindness, cruelty, grief, prayer and spiritual companionship to the fore, and shows us how we can learn so much from a dog's approach to life. If you're one of the 8.5 million dog owners in the UK the answer to a better way of living may already be under your roof.

We are brought up in a world where living in fear is both encouraged and accepted. Its normal to feel doubt, to feel guilt, to feel anger, to feel a failure. Its normal to lack enjoyment, self-confidence, and fulfilment. Its normal to live our lives according to what other people want of us, or what we think other people want of us, and to feel that, in a world where we constantly criticise and compare, were simply not good enough. But good enough for what? And in whose view? Its time to turn that thinking around. You are good enough! You were born with confidence and a healthy self-esteem. You were born to smile more. You were born to feel ease, to feel well, and to listen to your heart and your intuition. And you can reconnect with that you. You can live true to yourself, and you can feel contentment, joy, and harmony. You can find peace, acceptance, and inner strength. You are perfect, human, worthy. You are special. You are you, and the world needs you. Free the spirit thats still burning deep inside you, and shine! You are and you can!