The Humane Society of the United States Complete Guide to Dog Care

This is a very informative and helpful guide to dog care. It also takes animal welfare seriously, suggesting that you adopt your dog from an animal shelter and by telling ways to help dogs! A must-read for every dog owner!

We just received a dog from the humane society a week ago. A few days prior to getting the dog I bought this book and read about the first half. I found it incredibly helpful and informative. Most resources you read mostly have information regarding bringing home puppies from breeders, with very little about shelters. Not only did this book help calm my nerves about getting the dog, but I refer to it constantly to answer my questions that come up.

I bought this book because I am a fan of the writing ability of its author, Marion Lane. Over the years, she has written many articles and columns about various aspects of choosing, raising, and living well with a pet. I like her perspective on the importance of the human-animal bond, and I like the down-to-earth, often humorous, always wise way she talks to her readers. I am not a "dog person" myself, but many of my friends, coworkers, and neighbors are. I've lent out the book to a friend considering getting a new dog after being dogless for many years. She found Marion's section on factors to consider in choosing a dog very helpful. I took the book to the office when two of my coworkers had to decide how to handle end-of-life matters for their beloved pets. Marion's sensitive handling of the deep feelings involved brought Cheryl and Gisela to tears, but those were tears they needed to cry to loosen the tight knot of feelings that weren't being fully expressed. They found Marion's ideas comforting. I'm glad to have this book as a resource to lend out to my friends and acquaintances who have benefitted from reading relevant sections. I wish that prospective dog owners would read a book like this before getting a dog, so that they would know what they are undertaking, and could make a better decision about whether they and a particular dog are likely to make a good match.

Marion Lane and the HSUS have given dog lovers an excellent book that covers the range of subjects from selecting the right dog to facing the inevitable decline and death of our beloved pets. The book is not just for the "doggy set." It is written in language that everyone can understand and should be a valuable resource for those wanting to better understand and care for that most important family member. The author's knowledge about and love of dogs comes through on every page. It really is a book that belongs in every dog owner's library - even if it is the only "dog care" book.