In a profound, funny and beautifully rendered portrait of a furry soul mate, first-time writer Rebecca Spyker recalls the adventures of her rescue dog, Bu, who not only changed her life but became the rescuer, leading her back to the Buddhist wisdom she forgets from time to time. Bu’s life is captured in a series of all true tails (tales), where he illustrates the absurdities and wonders of human life as this remarkably determined creature bounces from misadventures, strange encounters, life-threatening illnesses and peculiar antics to share his endearing habits. Rebecca in turn offers the reader some reflections on Zen wisdom, thoughtful insights and very human lessons on life, death and all the delightfully messy bits in between. In getting to know Bu’s poignant, joyful and love-filled journey, it’s guaranteed that you will be begging for a box of tissues one minute and laughing out loud the next. Written with warmth, grace and good humour, The Book of Bu – Tails of a Zen Dog provides a gentle nudge to learn something about yourself and that laughing and crying are very close companions.

A treasury of Buddhist wisdom from the great teachers . . . plus cute doggie photos. Join some cuddly dogs for encouragement from Buddhist teachers like Thích Nhất Hanh and the Buddha himself in Zen Dogs. Don’t let the adorable canines fool you—they have plenty of mindfulness wisdom to share in the form of quotes and verses. Meditate along with these verses daily. Learn from the dutiful dog to be true in body and mind. And let your inner Zen Dog guide you to enlightenment.

Find enlightenment at the end of a leash with this delightful look at the Buddha nature of our canine companions. An afternoon nap in a patch of sunlight, a meandering walk in the woods, a full-body shake to greet another soul. No other creature displays the joy of living in the moment quite like a dog or exhibits the unquestioning devotion, honesty, and sheer selfl essness that is the essence of the Buddha nature. Zen Dog celebrates this great truth, bringing koans and canines together for the fi rst time. Inspiring quotations from the Buddha, Lao Tzu, and other Zen masters are paired with charming black-and-white photographs of dogs that illuminate the message. A dog wagging its tail in the breeze, for example, provides a surprisingly apt answer to the age-old question, "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" And the image of a family pet awaiting a tasty table scrap offers a whole new perspective on the saying, "If you know the power of a generous heart, you will not let a single meal pass without giving to others." The perfect gift for dog lovers and spiritual seekers, Zen Dog might even prove who the true "masters" in pet-owner relationships really are.

"Love is as strong as death, as hard as Hell," they say. Would you like to remain attached to that belief?

A comprehensive guide to puppy training by Mark Vette, of Pound Pups to Dog Stars fame. Following a quick look at the role of pups within the wolf pack, and how dogs evolved from wolves, this book gives a day-by-day, week-by-week guide to the fundamentals of training your puppy and building a happy lifelong bond between the two of you. Mark stresses the importance of the formative period (1-4 months) to instill good habits in your puppy, then shows you exactly how to do so and when to teach each skill. Includes chapters on choosing a puppy, forming a bond with your pup, training foundations (equipment and techniques), basic commands (like sit, heel and stay), what to train in which weeks of age, house training, socialisation, teaching them not to bite or indulge in continual barking, jumping up or other anti-social behaviours, plus a section on trouble-shooting if annoying behaviours start to creep in. It is a detailed and practical guide combining the latest cognitive science with modern, loving, training techniques. Illustrated with irresistible puppy photos, plus down-to-earth how-to shots of the training methods.

A treasury of Buddhist wisdom from the great teachers . . . plus cute bunny photos. Join some cuddly bunnies for encouragement from Buddhist teachers like Thích Nhất Hanh and the Buddha himself in Zen Bunnies. Don’t let the adorable bunnies fool you—they have plenty of mindfulness wisdom to share in the form of quotes and verses. These timeless verses will continue to be helpful and relevant to your life for years to come. Meditate along with these verses daily. Learn from the bountiful bunny to be true in body and mind. And let your inner Zen Bunny guide you to enlightenment.

Learn to live in the moment with these enlightened—and adorable—dharma dogs . . . It’s said that rubbing the belly of a Buddha brings good luck—and of course, the same goes for our beloved canine companions. Join some cuddly puppies as you jump into this collection of sayings from the Buddha. The verses, taken from the Dhammapada, were written centuries ago, but today they offer insight for all of life's basic struggles. Meditate along with the verses to gain a greater understanding of you, your life, and your purpose. Sit. Stay. Seek—and find the meaning of truth in these verses as you let your inner Zen Puppy guide you to enlightenment.

For many of us, the only way we meet "dangerous" dogs is through news reports about vicious attacks, and films and TV shows that feature out-of-control versions of man's best friend. But there's more to the Bad Dog's story than sensational headlines and movie beasts. A deeper look at these representations reveals a villain much closer to home. This book takes the reader on a rich journey through depictions of violent dogs in popular media. It explores how press accounts and screen stories transform canines into bloodthirsty hunters, rabies-infested strays, ferocious fighters, rogue law enforcement partners and diabolical pets, all adding up to a frightening picture of our usually beloved companions. But, when media tells the dangerous dog's story, it is often with a deep connection to the person on the other end of the leash.

Black-and-white photograhs and illustrations combine with simple, inspirational quotes to reveal how cats exemplify the essential principles of Zen philosophy and to explore the special bonds between humans and their feline companions. 30,000 first printing.