Starting January 7th at 8pm, the Dog Whisperer will be playing on the National Geographic channel. I really enjoy watching Cesar Milan transform “difficult” dogs. The first episode covers “Why Dogs Fight.”

Why would two well-behaved and personable dogs suddenly and violently attack each other?  Cesar reveals how dogs communicate through their energy and body language, to help resolve a potentially disastrous situation.  Two Jack Russell terriers, Ruby and Jinx, have lived together for years but have begun fighting aggressively every time they are anywhere near each other.  Their owner, Sandy Hill, has rearranged her life to keep the two dogs separated at all times.  Sandy believes that if she doesn’t intervene when the dogs start to fight, it will become a battle to the death.

You can watch full episodes here as well: National Geographic

A new show from National Geographic will be airing soon called The Incredible Dr. Pol. The first episode premieres Saturday, October 29 at 9pm et/pt. Check it out at: Dr. Pol

An expert in large farm animals and pets, with a “you name it, and we’ll treat it” attitude, this house-call-making veterinarian has seen it all.  Dr. Pol works 14-hour days to help the diminishing population of family farmers survive by playing an integral role in keeping local farmers’ livestock healthy and in turn, their businesses profitable. He’ll travel across rural Michigan to care for every family pet and head of livestock in need of his expertise and kindness, treating numerous patients, including horses, pigs, cows, sheep, alpacas, goats, cats, dogs and even an occasional reindeer.

Animaltalk Review:

I highly recommend Two Brothers. It is a beautiful movie that demonstrates the way tigers have been treated without any sugar-coating. The tigers show heart-rending emotion throughout the movie that truly touches the viewers. I have watched many animal movies and this is one of my favorites. I love how the movie’s story is shown through the eyes of the tigers instead of through words. I fell in love with Kumal and Sangha, the two brothers, and although the movie is very emotional, it is a must see for any animal lover.

Amazon Review:

Doing for tigers what The Bear did for Grizzlies and Kodiaks, Two Brothers offers lush adventure with a message that anyone can take to heart. French filmmaker Jean-Jacques Annaud directed both films, blessing them with his keen eye for beauty and a love for wildlife that’s as impassioned as it is infectious. This time, the adorable critters are Kumal and Sangha, sibling tiger cubs in French Indochina circa 1920, separated when a treasure-hunting adventurer (Guy Pearce) inadvertently leads them to capture. He makes amends by defending their right to freedom, but before that can happen, the now-grown tigers must endure cruel treatment that younger viewers (and sensitive adults) may find somewhat traumatic. There’s a purpose to their ordeal, however, and Annaud (along with a world-class tiger trainer, 30 different tigers, and minimal use of digital trickery) films this uplifting story as a child’s fable, with equal measures of danger and irresistible charm. As a family-friendly plea to protect endangered tigers everywhere, Two Brothers is cute, cuddly, and easily recommended. –Jeff Shannon

Strays is a well crafted story about a woman’s spiritual journey and the animals that guide her. Jeanne Webster does a wonderful job showing the importance of animals and people in both the physical and spiritual world. She describes the scenery and surroundings vividly and allows you to be transported to the Carolina mountains. The main character, Jane, has conversations with life around her that show her quest to be a better person and have a better understanding. The stray dog Max helps her find her way, and other animals and plants provide guidance as well. This book provides important life lessons and inspires you to be a better person. This book is a great present for someone trying to find their purpose or is going through difficult times.
 
Product description:
Here is a novel of profound wisdom and amazing insight. This story belongs to any woman and every man who has ever struggled with their destinies. Heralded by the Humane Society of the United States as revealing journey about the importance of animals and our environment to our whole existence both spiritual and physical and pitched as Conversations with God meets Dr. Dolittle, this novel reconnects man with the wisdom of an intelligent planet. Jane Morgan is standing at the corner of “The Rest of Your Life” and “Welcome to Reality.” Laid off from her first job as a staff writer for a prominent Atlanta newspaper and struggling in a dysfunctional relationship, Jane finds herself ill-equipped to navigate her world. Disillusioned, miserable and angry with God, she retreats to a cabin in the Smoky Mountains to take stock of the life she’s created so far. Unwilling to drift along accepting whatever life throws her way, she begs for guidance and direction. When a bump on the head unlocks a marvelous seventh sense in Jane; she discovers she is able to hear the voices of the animals and plants that share this planet with us. Guided by Max, a stray dog, she is led beyond the veil of a world she thought she knew into a secreted reality few ever witness. With Max at her side, Jane finds nature’s blueprint for living, spoken from the lips of those who embody the wisdom. Chapter by chapter Jane is privy to life lessons revealed by Grandfather Oak, the Great Snake, Grandmother Willow, White Bear and others, whose stories empower her personal journey.

Review by Ann Dyke

This amazingly beautiful and tender film is riveting and unforgettable. The photography is  exquisite and so close-up that the viewer is right there with the penguins through courtship and child caring, as well as through their long and hazardous journey. This movie is a must-see for all ages.  

Product Description
In the Antarctic, every March since the beginning of time, the quest begins to find the perfect mate and start a family. This courtship will begin with a long journey – a journey that will take them hundreds of miles across the continent by foot, in freezing cold temperatures, in brittle, icy winds and through deep, treacherous waters. They will risk starvation and attack by dangerous predators, under the harshest conditions on earth, all to find true love.

The Chicken Soup books are always good at making you smile and making you cry. This book on horse stories is no exception. They make great bedtime reading when I don’t have time to read a long book, and I want something heartwarming to fall asleep to.

Description: Our connection to the horse is ancient and visceral. These humble creatures are mentioned in the earliest samplings of the written word, which illustrates how the human/equine bond transcends cultural and economic barriers. The horse’s integral role in man’s evolution, society’s development and the growth of civilizations is unquestioned; they have been immortalized by Hollywood, cherished by little girls and mourned by warriors.

Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover’s Soul is filled with inspiring stories of rescue and rehabilitation, heartbreaking losses, dedication and commitment, and positive messages of responsibility and unconditional love. Readers will enjoy uplifting and humorous stories that depict the horse’s intelligence, versatility and intuitiveness; they will discover the horse’s healing powers, marvel at the graceful performance of a Grand Prix Dressage winner, be awed by the stamina and strength of a working horse and the athletic prowess of a champion racer.

In exchange for our love and companionship, horses teach us, heal us, protect us and guide us. Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover’s Soul is a worthy celebration of a very noble creature.

Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover’s Soul: Inspirational Stories About Horses and the People Who Love Them

 
Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover’s Soul II: Tales of Passion, Achievement and Devotion

by Desmond Morris

If you ever wanted to know more about why cats behave the way they do then Catwatching by Desmond Morris will answer most of your questions. This book is not only informative, but beautifully written. The first in the popular Watching series, it explains everything from why cats purr to why we say it’s raining cats and dogs.

by Terri Farley (Author)
 
This is a fun book series for horse lovers. These books are a quick read and following Darby’s adventures and emotional ups and downs with her horses kept me engaged book after book. The recommended reading level is ages 9-12, but anyone can read them. They are nice books to travel with and while I haven’t read all of them, I have read quite a few.
 
Book 1: The Wild One

Book 2: Mustang Moon

Book 3: Dark Sunshine

Book 4: The Renegade

Book 5: Free Again

By Jeanne Betancourt

This is the first book in a wonderful series about friends who share a bond through their love of ponies. I loved these books when I was little, and always dreamed of having friends I could ride with like this and a community with interconnected trails. Recommended reading level ages 9-100. But, I think the age is much younger since these were some of the first books I read.

Product Description
Hoping to become friends with pony riders Pam and Anna, Lulu dreams of owning a pony while staying with her grandmother during her father’s absence, and when she finds an injured pony, Lulu hopes to save the beautiful animal.

This classic book about a boy growing up and learning responsibility through his love for a horse is a must read. Not only is this book beautifully written, but the life lessons are ones that everyone can benefit from. While this is considered a children’s book, I could re-read it over and over. This is a book for anyone who loves horses.