Bramble; The dog who wanted to live forever. The Somerset notes. Paperback – April 24, 2013

This is a book about treating animals with the same respect that we would show human beings. I would recommend it for vegans and non-vegans alike. Non-vegans probably need this story of compassion and sacrifice more than those who are already on board with the philosophy. After reading it how could one not want to be more like Anne Heritage? Of course treating animals with respect is just the logical thing to do. To abuse and eat them doesn't make any sense, for our selfish needs, or to feed our animal companions. The vegan lifestyle works for dogs too, which is the most important message of this memoir.The book is primarily about Heritage and her life in rural England. We mostly hear about her dogs when they are first adopted and when they die. This is a very depressing book and I would not recommend it for people who are overly sensitive. My girlfriend, for instance, couldn't take it because it made her think about our dogs dying. The book is well written and easy to read. The language is clean and simple with vibrant descriptions of life in the country.I only disagreed with Heritage on one point and that is when she said that professionals who work 8 hours a day should not adopt dogs. I have heard this from people at dog shelters as well, which surprises me because being alone with other dogs for 8 hours, five days a week seems better to me than being put to death. I never understood that argument, especially because Heritage never had a career or a real job her entire life it seems and was forced to live in a van at one point. That's not an ideal life for a dog either. But that aside, her example is one to strive for.

This heart-warming and wonderful book is a must read for anyone who loves dogs and is interested in keeping them healthy! But please, Ms Heritage, we need another book form you! We need a book on Bramble's diet. We need to know, proportions, cooking methods, even which vegetables you used or didn't use, how they varied with the seasons, and even what sized chunks of vegetables, as I found my dogs were not digesting the carrot until I bought a machine which grates them. How thoroughly did you cook the vegetables?. What herbs did you use, and in what amount, were there seasonal variations as to which herbs you used? Were the herbs thrown in fresh at the end, or were they cooked with the food? Were any raw vegetables used? Were any snacks given? Did you add any oil to the diet, if so what type? What type and amount of yeast extract did you use? Was it put on raw at the end after the food was cooked? Did you vary the diet with the seasons? Please write for us Bramble's essential guide for longevity, and give us the complete details --what did you use for flea control? Didyou worm her,and if so what did you use? Please tell as as much as you can remember about how you did the vegan diet and explain to people the importance of combining brown rice with the red lentils to make complete protein. I would like to know what your proportions were and anything you learned which went into the creation of this diet, such as why you added the TVP? Is there an amino acid that is too low if just the brown rice and red lentils are used? Please tell us as much as you can remember about your methods, cooking times, etc. And thank you for this book! You can save many lives, both of dogs, and the animals being raised and killed for dog food, by giving your guidance to feeding dogs a vegan diet.

Great book! Very informative and happy story of Brambles life and her canine siblings. Definite must read! Especially if you're thinking about rescuing a dog or any animal. Thank you Anne Heritage :) Great tribute to Bramble <3 I think all who have read this book have a special place in our hearts for her <3

I bought this book because I was very interested in feeding my dogs a vegan diet and thought it would be more about how to do that. It was a nice story of the author's dogs and I did read the whole book so it did catch my interest. The author did mention a couple of times what she cooked for her dogs. I was very glad to read that her dogs thrived for many years on their vegan diets.

I thoroughly enjoyed Bramble: The dog who wanted to live forever.... It shares a true vegan lifestyle. Anne Heritage respects her dogs, all creatures, her fellow humans, and our planet. Her vegan dog diet is nutritionally complete and yet simple enough for anyone to make. Anne's dogs received hours of daily exercise to keep them healthy. Her love and respect for her dogs is clear throughout the writing of Anne Heritage. Not only does Anne, as a vegan, respect her dogs--she also respects other people and the world around her. Her tone is warm and sincere. I highly recommend this book!

Came across this book after hearing someone say it's unethical to feed dogs vegan food and figured I'd do some research on it myself while considering getting a dog. As it turns out this pioneering woman and her friend Chris cared for two of the oldest living dogs ever on such a diet. And while she clearly cared for her dogs in other ways more than the average person, it's hard to argue that diet was not a big part of it, just like with people. Thanks Anne for sharing your story and tips. Would love to hear more about their diets and your thoughts on supplements and so forth if you ever want to write more. Hope you're enjoying your memories of Bramble and friends, and maybe making new ones with others.

Absolutely amazing book! Just buy it and start reading now, there is no time to waste.

I truly enjoyed this book. The writer has a wonderful descriptive writing style where she vividly portrays the personalities of the dogs and sceneries of nature. I took this book with me this week on a 30 minute bus commute to work and found myself almost missing my stops a few times as well as wiping tears away over the death of Floyd. I learned a lot and have a tremendous amount of respect for them and the great love and care given to the dogs. This is one story I will always love to remember.

This was a most interesting book. The author has great love for her Bramble and his journey is most unusual. I had heard about Bramble several years ago and wanted to know how he lived so long, when many of our precious canine companions die at such early ages. Then the book came out. It is innovative and food for thought for all those who love their dogs.

Such a well written story of not only Bramble's life and that of other dogs but also of a woman struggling to survive in a harsh society where carnism and sexism is the norm.It's perhaps recognisable for other women amd it's helpful for men to understand more of women and of care for living beings in general.

Beautifully written, the author introduces the idea of individualised care for your companion. It is not prescriptive, the author does not go into specifics of how, what, how much of a particular food or activity one should undertake with their companion. And this is to her credit. Ms Heritage focuses on the fact that non-humans are beings in their own right and like human persons have individual needs. She uses stories of her own canine friends as examples of how she has adapted care according to their requirements, dietary and otherwise.In human physiology, we are all aware of how environment affects health outcomes. This book proposes a whole new mindset of how we live with (not over) and view our canine friends and how this mindset will help ensure their health and happiness. It certainly gave me a greater appreciation for my companion animals. A great read.

Great book, very enlightening

Couldn't put it down, beautifully written well worth reading! As an owner of two border collies and turning vegan myself I wanted to find out about Brambles lifestyle to help me with my own dogs change of diet to vegan - they are both loving the food I'm cooking them and even fighting over it which tells me they love it!