No comments about Coping with Sorrow on the Loss of Your Pet.

3 comments about Surviving the Heartbreak of Choosing Death for Your Pet.

1. "Fluff" for the bereavement shelf in book stores. Buy "The Loss of A Pet" by Dr. Wallace Sife instead. You won't be sorry ...



2. This book was difficult to read right after I made the decision to have my best friend put to sleep, so I had to wait for a couple of months. When I did finally pick it up (a gift from a friend), I could feel my chest lose its tightness, and a sense of calm come over me.

   There is an incredible sense of guilt associated with making this choice for your friend. This book helped lift this guilt and replace it with a sense of peace.

   Thanks, Linda.




3. This book was extremely helpful! Having to choose death for my best friend of 20 years was incredibly painful and brought feelings of guilt, despair, relief and depression. At the time, I felt I might just be loosing my mind. This book helped me work through all of my feelings. It gave me a peaceful feeling. It let me know, that I was not alone. There are a number of useful references in the back. I really can't recommend this book enough. I was so helped by this book that I have since made it available to my local vets office.
   Thank you to the author.

   For anyone considering this book. Buy It. It will help.

4 comments about Book of the Cat.

1. I came hoping to replace my original copy of THE BOOK OF THE CAT, which I've had since the early '80s and is getting rather ragged. What a disappointment to hear it's out of print! The best, and easiest for a lay-person to follow, source of info on cat color genetics ever printed, and that is only one of many benefits to this great old resource.



2. I just bought a used version of this (I can't believe it's out of print) to replace one I lost. It's an extraordinary resource. A wealth of fascinating information on behavior, care, breeds, genetics, etc. Not the least bit dry, it is presented with clear and intriguing narratives and fun illustrations. And the original paintings by Peter Warner are exceptional. Someone update and republish this!!



3. I purchased this book as an cat lover while at College. I am now 38 years old, I still have this book and my 12 year old has read it so much that the covers are falling off. This book has helped in the choosing of several pets / breeds, as well as helped us determine if an ailment needed vet attention, or to watch it closely. The illustrations and photos are attractive. The text is to the point. My child is now using this in understanding genetics in science class.



4. This book's been out of print for a while now. I can't really understand why this should be. It's one of the best cat books for both information and illustrations. Just ask any cat fancier..

5 comments about Spirit Dogs: Heroes in Heaven.

1. Finding a place in your heart for this book should be easy.
   We all know what it's like to lose our best canine friend, but
   with this book nearby it'll be a whole lot easier.
   
   Why? Because they all have a special mission. As Susan
   Kelleher's delightful little book explains, the ones that came
   before are constantly training the ones that will be our
   next set of heroes. Their missions may be large, like
   helping rescue someone, or small, like that little tail wag
   that's meant just for us. Either way, every day they become
   our heroes.
   
   And when they pass, they know they won't be forgotten.
   Kelleher let's us in on a little secret, the love we feel for
   them when they're gone is just as special to them as what
   we felt when they were right there next to us.



2. I once witnessed a public reading by the author of this book. After it was over, virtually everyone left with tears in their eyes; not from discomfort, but from joy and relief. It was an incredibly moving experience. Certainly no book's approach to the loss of a pet is going to work for everybody, but this one has worked for hundreds and hundreds of people, and will hopefully continue to do so. I know that when I lose my beloved dog Brookie, I will be reading this again, searching for comfort.



3. I once witnessed a public reading of this book done by the author. Virtually everybody left with tears in their eyes; not tears of discomfort, but of joy and relief. All pet owners go through this process far too often; this book has helped hundreds and hundreds of people to cope with the loss of a pet and will hopefully continue to do so. No approach to coping with death works wonders for everyone; this one touches most. I know that when my beloved Brookie passes, I will be reading it again, looking for solace.



4. I lost my best pal of 11 years, Rattle, a month ago. A friend suggested this book, and I read it again and again. Susan writes in a way that soothes all the sadness and pain that only the loss of a pet can give you. Fabulous story, I recommend it whole-heartedly.



5. Do not look for this book to comfort you in your sorrow if you want to be of the belief that you will be reunited with your dog some day and go on together.

3 comments about Remembering Pets: A Book for Children Who Have Lost a Pet.

1. Written with wit and whimsically illustrated, this light-hearted look at a serious topic softened the blow of our pet's death. Now, we are even thinking of getting a new pet.



2. Gina Dalpra-Berman's vivid children's picturebook, Remembering Pets, is written specifically for young people who have lost a treasured animal companion. It is about remembering the joys shared with a favorite bird, dog, cat, turtle, or other creature that bestowed unconditional love upon its owner. Remembering Pets tells a young person that it is OK to grieve for the loss of a beloved animal, and to embrace the joys of a new pet. Highly recommended for any child who has outlived his or her cherished animal friend.



3. Most of us have lost a pet, many of us at a time when we shared that loss with children. The text and illustrations of this book can help children deal with that situation. The book is honest and comforting, helping kids to think about how important their pet was, but also the value in having had that pet, and how those memories can continue to enrich our lives.

1 comments about Precious Companion: A Book of Comfort and Remembrance After the Loss of a Pet.

1. This is the type of book that I hope every pet owner will buy. It brought tears to my eyes and comfort to my heart. I lost my dog a few months ago and the verses in the book are so beautiful. This book will touch everyone's heart regardless if you lost a dog, cat, or any type of beloved animal companion. I work for a Veterinary office and see loss on a daily basis and know this book will bring comfort to anyone who is greiving or anyone who loves their pet companions.

1 comments about Monarch of Deadman Bay: The Life and Death of a Kodiak Bear.

1. The Monarch Of Deadman Bay is an outstanding story of nature and survival. The format and prose are splendid in this story as it follows the life of a Kodiak Bear. It begins at the time of his conception and follows him through his rise in status as the dominant bear in the Deadman Bay area on the southern coast of Kodiak Island and finally to his death.
   
   This is a wildlife story and though there are some references to hunting it doesn't take an anti-hunting or a pro-hunting stance. The story is told from the bear's viewpoint. It's a story of the daily struggle for survival in the wilderness. Told with outstanding and sometimes brutal descriptions of both the various wildlife species and the the harsh environment that they survive in.
   
   The story is grand and it is obvious that Roger Caras has a vast knowledge of wildlife habits and habitat. He also clearly understands how harsh and violent life can be in even the most beautiful areas of the vast wilderness areas of the world.
   
   If there is one criticism that I have it's that Caras occassionally uses complex terms where simpler words would be just as effective and more readable. A story should flow and be very easy to follow and not be a tribute to the writers vocabulary. My opinion? If you like stories about the environment, raw and natural. Read this one and overlook the "Ten dollar words" (they're not on every page anyway). Enjoy the story for it's own sake.

5 comments about Lost: Lost and Found Pet Posters from Around the World.

1. The book in terms of images is lovely, there are many smart, funny, and cute posters all by average people who simply want their pets home safely. That's what makes the book bitter sweet, one is left wondering how many were never found. Interesting, but sad at times.



2. This book is a collection of the cutest animals from all over the world. It's very interesting and funny to read. It's a great book for pet animal lovers who know what it's like to lose their best friends. Please read.



3. This book makes a fine gift for those with a quirky sense of humor or who appreciate found objects/art. The collection of posters has an interesting variety, but some of the posters lack the same interest and obscurity of others. The foreign posters are certainly worth a laugh. The concept of the book is very funny, but as other reviewers have mentioned, it would have been a more successful book if the tone of the more creative and funny posters was carried throughout the entire book.



4. Interesting idea, i did enjoy the book but some of the posters were really boring and very rigid. I think if you are making this as an entertaining book, try to include mostly extraordinary postings. Over wise it will look like an archive for people "who study the case".



5. I love his work and collecting these pet posters is a stroke of genius. Anyone who's ever had a pet and who has had to write one of these posters will be blinking back tears of sympathy, even if you acknowledge the ugliness of other people's pets, for some here are real lollapoloozas. Mostly you take your hat off to the eternal virtue of hope, for some of these people have faith deeper than rivers if they believe that you'd be able to recognize their cat or dog from the miserably scanned old photo of the animal, sometimes off in a corner of a photo looking completely anonymous or so dark you can't tell what you're supposed to be looking at. The texts Phillips collects are as heartbreaking as the photos, and again for every clearcut description of an animal, there's quite a few in which it's like the old parable of the blind man and the elephant
   
   As you pore through this book you can only hope all of these owners found their pets in this world and if not in this world, maybe in the next. LOST is a postmodern assemblage with old fashioned heart and soul, it looks good and it feels good too.

4 comments about Pet Loss: Thoughtful Guide for Adults and Children, A.

1. This is the most cathartic experience I've EVER had, for it releases unconscious emotions which need to be unharnessed, leading you gently toward healing. Please be good to yourself and read this book, which has been a true God-send to me!



2. I found the book encouraging in that it gave me a feeling of not being the only one who ever suffered from the loss of a pet. I just do not know if I am ready to get over it yet as the book tells me to. I guess I was hoping for more - but it delivered what it promised, so I cannot complain.



3. I was glad to see the previous reader found great solace in this book. I am glad I bought it because at the time it was the only book I could find as I dashed to the airport, and it was better to have something on this topic than nothing as I grieved the new loss of my dear Kitty. But I would not recommend this book highly -- and if you are on Amazon you have a lot of books available at your fingertips. This author is a psychologist and takes a distinctly psychological approach to the subject. I was seeking a more spiritual/emotional approach, particularly because my Kitty died very young and under mysterious circumstances. The psychologist author identifies the process of grief and frequently discusses what is appropriate or inappropriate. If that interests you, this book will be helpful. Personally, I was not at all interested in clinical definitions of inappropriate grief when I was feeling overwhelmed with my own. But everyone is different, so this book may be helpful to you; we each grieve in our own way. I at least was grateful to have a book/person to validate my grief, which so many people seemed to want to dismiss with the attitude "It's only an animal."

   An author whose approach I found much more spiritual/emotional and comforting was James Van Praagh. There is one chapter devoted to pet loss in his book Healing Grief : Reclaiming Life After Any Loss. I was surprised to discover he is a medium, as I normally don't go in for psychic stuff. But the chapter on pet loss in not weird or New Age-ish. It is steeped in love, and the author writes with gentleness and sensitivity of the eternal souls of our beloved animals and the mutual bonds of love that endure beyond mortal death.




4. I took this trusty volume off of my book shelf for the second time in three years this week. Its wisdom, advice, and understanding tone is a great comfort when the most innocent member of your family has made their final exit. Mimi, in my case, was only two years old, making this read extremely difficult, but extremely necessary. I thank the book for helping me understand that what I'm experiencing is natural and necessary in order to start the healing process. With information on the stages of grief, the emotions one experiences, and the consolation that the hurt will get better, Pet Loss has helped me once again say goodbye to a loving dog.

5 comments about When Your Pet Dies.

1. WHEN YOUR PET DIES was written primarly for children but is a comfort to adults too. The book can be read very quickly and is bascially in the style of a devotional type book full of nice comforting thoughts. I bought one for myself and have one on reserve for friends and family when the need arises.



2. I have read several books and articles on experiencing grief from the loss of a beloved animal. No book has brought as much hope and a feeling of calmness to me as Ms. Pomerance's "When Your Pet Dies". Written primarily for children, it is as helpful and reassuring to adults as it will be to children. Parents should feel comfortable in allowing their children to read this book. Parents should read it as well. It traces a very realistic picture, both figuratively, as well factually, of the process that humans go through during the life of their beloved pet. The pictures in the book, done by a 13 year old girl, are both colorful and beautiful. They add a great deal to this journey through life into death. I have reread it many times, enjoying it more each time. I highly recommend this book to anyone going through the grief related to pet loss.

   Lou Olinger, MS
   Grief Counselor for the SPCA of Texas




3. A great book, with good insight about people who have experienced a loss of a pet. Compassionate and understanding.



4. "When Your Pet Dies" may have been written for children, but this beautifully written book should help people of all ages who have lost a beloved animal companion.

   Accompanied by lovely illustrations(obviously the work of a youngster!) that help to clarify the text, it contains important information about the grieving process and makes it clear that grief is OK and normal. It should help children to identify their feelings and begin the process of recovery.

   As a special education teacher and educator, I highly recommend this eloquently written book for children(and their parents)who have had the devastating experience of losing a beloved pet.




5. Not only does this beautifully written book help children who have suffered a major loss, it can also help adults. In much of today's society losing a pet is not considered a major loss. But to many people, it's a catastropic event with no one to share it with who understands. It's apparent the author does not only understand but has learned the way through this extremely difficult time.
   This is a wonderful tool to help get through your grief of a beloved companion's death, no matter what your age.