The Heart of the Matter : Breaking Codes and Making Connections Between You and Your Dog or Your Cat

Paul Loeb and Suzanne Hlavacek presented a revolutionary -- and surprisingly simple -- approach to teaching and understanding dogs in Smarter Than You Think. Featured on NBC's Dateline, that acclaimed volume has been embraced by scores of fans who have seen Loeb's methods work wonders with their "problem dogs." Now, this acclaimed animal behaviorist joins his partner Hlavacek to further enrich our bonds with our dogs and cats with a guide to giving them the best care possible and to deepening the special love that is at The Heart of the Matter.

This breakthrough book offers a whole new perspective on the human/animal relationship. The Heart of the Matter features a three-point approach to your animal's health and well-being:

• The Magic Touch -- how to make a profound and lasting soul connection; including sharing dialogues and conversations with your dog or cat
• Diet -- how you can ensure balanced nutrition with an astoundingly easy food plan
• You -- what you need to know to end behavioral problems, allergies, and more.

These are the keys to creating harmony between yourself and your dog or cat. You'll gain a fuller understanding of their needs, abilities, emotions, intelligence, and highly developed "super senses" -- and delight as they become well-behaved, truly integrated family members, and trusted friends.

Loeb and Hlavacek also tackle one of our biggest obstacles to animal health and happiness: the startling conspiracy between pet-food manufacturers and veterinarians who sell "premium" food that can keep animals susceptible to illness, skin problems, and other chronic conditions. How can you feed your dog or cat and break this chain of codependency? The answers will surprise you; the solutions are right at your fingertips.

Filled with fascinating, often amusing, case histories -- including amazing accounts of improved health based on dietary changes -- this is the essential care guide that animal lovers have waited for. With the compassionate advice in The Heart of the Matter, you can create a powerful connection -- and enjoy the gift of looking into your animal's eyes and seeing love.

Paul Loeb, a nationally recognized author and animal behaviorist, was featured along with Jane Goodall and Konrad Lorenz in National Geographic's Behavioral Education series. He has appeared in articles in The Wall Street Journal, Esquire, Glamour, Newsweek, Family Circle, The New York Times, The Christian Science Monitor, and other publications. In 1974, Paul Loeb introduced the idea of using animals to comfort the sick and elderly at New York's Bellevue Hospital; he is also recognized as a leader in the training of companion aide dogs. The author of six previous books including Smarter Than You Think, he lives in New York City.