5 comments about Healing the Pain of Pet Loss: Letters in Memoriam.

1. Most people around me seem to be more polite than understanding when I talk about losing my dog, Lincoln. It doesn't matter anymore after reading this book. They don't understand the depth of our relationship, but the writers in this book do. I wish I had someone in person who knew, but going back to this book every once in a while gets me through. This book will be my rock as long as I need it.



2. Finally I don't feel so weird about my feelings toward my rabbit. People made fun of me, but now I know I am ok and I will be able to get through this. Thank you.



3. I appreciate the other reviews I read and am glad these people found this book to their needs - but I did not. I just don't see how hearing about someone else's losses helps me - I am already bogged down in my own pain. Anyway - that's all I wanted to say.



4. Being a man, it is hard to express emotions of pain. This book helped me understand my grief as perfectly acceptable and that there are other males who have faced this same kind of social misunderstanding and that it is normal and meaningful to mourn the loss of one of my best friends - my dog, Ranger. So many of us don't know until we lose our animal friends just how important they were in our lives. I will always be grateful to the friend who gave me this book as a gift - it helped me so much.



5. ...as a responsible pet owner, I find it very difficult to empathize with those letter-writers whose pets died accidentally (left outside and hit by car while owner went inside and continued getting ready to go to work) or (missing/lost) the three-month-old kitten who never returned (owner and kitten moved into a strange house one day, and the very next day the owner put the kitten outside to "explore" while owner went to work all day). Both owners expressed their grief, but both losses could have been prevented if the owners had acted responsibly. Of course, both stories just broke my heart as I am an animal lover and caretaker of 4 pets. But animals like cats and dogs are often like children -- you can't just let them wander about on their own. They look to you, their owner, to look out for them because they can't. I expected a book of letters from responsible pet owners who really knew how to take care of their pets.

No comments about Drift Smoke: Loss And Renewal In A Land Of Fire (Environmental Arts and Humanities).

5 comments about Will My Pet Go to Heaven?.

1. Will My Pet Go to Heaven?This book does not try to prove without a doubt, but instead gives a preponderance of biblical evidence that weighs heavily in favor of our pets being with us in heaven and on the new earth. This is the perfect book to share with someone who has lost a beloved pet. The author teaches the basics of salvation and how as Christians we don't need to grieve our loss like the rest of men who have no hope, because our hope is eternal.



2. Ever since I was a small child, I visualized animals in heaven. After all, God did make them first, my little girl mind rationalized. As I got older and had many animals come and go in my life, I needed conformation that my belief was in fact true. I could not imagine a perfefct place that DID NOT include my beloved pets who had passed on. Then on a recent Sunday morning, I was watching a pastor give a sermon on television. He made the mistake of telling his congregation and his television audience that animals do not survive beyond death; that only humans occupy heaven with our Lord. I began a search. The Bible talks little about the direct question: Are His animals to live forever? But after all, the bible was written for human salvation. The animals cannot sin and don't need to be saved. They already are perfect in God's eyes. Jesus has said that He was going to prepare a place for us - his children - and a place for me would not be complete unless all my wonderful and beloved animal children are there with me. And then I found Steve Wohlberg's book! This book has confirmed to me what I have known since a child. Animals do, of course, go to heaven. Steve has given biblical references in this book and explained in a way that only a man of the clergy can do in pointing out God's love for and eternal existence of animals. This is a wonderful book and should be included in bible school curriculums. Every person who has ever loved an animal needs to read this book. And those who preach that animals "die and go into the ground forever" and wrong, wrong, wrong. I wrote and told that televison pastor so and used Steve's book as a reference. He has since recanted his views.



3. What I liked about this book:
   Most importantly, the book is based on Scripture. I you are a dedicated agnostic, hoping to find a story to make you feel better, based on a bunch of other people's opinions, you won't find it in here. Wohlberg has searched for the truth on this topic, and wants to share with his readers what he has found. He admits that he is not sure whether or not our pets will go to Heaven, but he tells us why he thinks there is a strong possibility that they will indeed be there. I also like that the book is written in a simple, understandable format. There's no deep theology or "Christianese" that's not explained clearly. Due to the writing style, and some of the other topics covered in this book, it could be a great evangelistic tool - a wonderful book to give to your non-Christian friends when they are struggling with the loss of a pet. I also like the little quotes Wohlberg has scattered throughout the text.
   What I didn't like about this book:
   Wohlberg only actually spends 9 pages in the book answering the question "Will my pet go to Heaven?"!! The rest of the book is about human-animal bonds, his own personal (and tragic) loss of his pet that led him to write the book, God's love for animals, animal sacrifice, and other somewhat-related topics. Most of this material is good, but I found the chapter entitled "Pets, People, & Priorities" to be inappropriate. Although I agree with the basic idea ("people come first, then pets") I do not think this book was the appropriate place to discuss it. Wohlberg seems to have a particular soft spot for dogs, horses, and cats, or what he calls "God's more intelligent" animals. He is somewhat exclusive. I know I'm not the only person with a pet leopard gecko! I also found several typographical errors, and for a book that is only 94 pages long, I believe this is pretty bad. Doesn't someone proofread these books before they publish them?



4. This book does have some nice thoughts in it but there is only a fraction of the book that actually deals with scripture. Like other similar books it's mostly opinion, and opinion which is not even encouraging! He says we don't know for sure that our pets are in heaven and that we must come to our own conclusion! He stresses so much about how people are so much more important than animals to God and that Jesus died only for humans not animals! (Rom 5:8)
   He says all we can do is "hope" that our furry friends will be with us. He does say he believes in a "real possibility" of this happening! He says that animals can't think, they can only give love. I think that since animals can display such attributes as love, hate, sympathy, generosity, reasoning powers, language and body language, memory, a sense of moral responsibility, unselfishness, self denial, forethought, affection, friendship, humour, pride, jealousy, anger, revenge, conscience, love of master, conjugal love, and parental love all of which belong to the spirit, not to the body, that animals can think.
   He says that it's a "no brainer" that we should think that a human's eternal life is more important than our pets." Real encouraging huh! One nice thing he teaches is that animals display so much love and compassion and he asks "where do such feelings come from anyway?" Well, love and all the above attributes can only be from God and is evidence they can THINK! I feel for his loss of his precious little dog. My heart goes out to him and his wife. But it is my opinion that Steve Wohlberg should stick to his specialty which is Bible Prophecy.
   I've read several books on the subject of animal afterlife and the best one I've found is "There Is Eternal Life For Animals" by Niki Behrikis Shanahan as it details Bible Scripture and shows from the Scriptures how much God loves ALL His creation and it proves from the scriptures that animals ARE going to heaven. That is what a grieving pet parent needs to hear, not just someone's opinion.



5. Get the kleenex ready, because this is a heartwarming tear-jerker. However, it will provide some comfort and assistance in dealing with the grief of losing a beloved pet. An ideal gift book for the animal lovers in your life. Buy several copies at a time, and keep them on hand, for when the appropriate occasion arises, and for when the right words fail.
   Arlene Millman
   author of BOOMERANG - A MIRACLE TRILOGY
   (The tale of a remarkable Boston Terrier)

5 comments about Angel Pawprints: Reflections On Loving and Losing a Canine Companion.

1. There comes a time in every dog owner's life when you look down at the furball by your feet and come to the realization that this is no longer just your pet; this is your friend. Dogs surpass human beings in just about everything: from sense of smell to hearing, from loyalty to love. A dog's capacity to love is something profound; they want nothing more than to be accepted, to please you and to be loved in return. "Angel Pawprints" showcases some beautiful poems about this love which dogs have for centuries offered and received. Laurel E. Hunt edited some great pieces, including works by such famous poets as Rudyard Kipling and William Wordsworth. (My personal favorite is "So Long, Pal" by Ethel Blumann.)
   
   One does not by any means have to have lost a canine companion to enjoy the works presented in this book. If you have ever loved a dog so selflessly, unconditionally, and faithfully, then all of these pet memorials will speak to you, even if you cannot comprehend the depth of the poets' pain. If you have lost a good friend in the past, this book could possibly be a fine method of therapy to help you feel better about everything. (It helped me when my friend of 12 years died.) "Angel Pawprints: Reflections on Loving and Losing a Canine Companion" is, in a nutshell, just a really great way of honoring your dog's memory and love. It may cause some tears but it'll get you through.



2. i have just bought a second copy to send to a friend who needs to say farewell to her beloved jack russell for awhile. the poems are beautiful...i especially love "the house dog's grave", which just might be my favorite poem of all time.

   i use this book frequently to quote passages for friends who have lost their dogs...and i cannot read it without crying. it's very comforting to know that people have felt the same way about their dogs over many years......beautiful, beautiful!




3. I know Dr. Villalobos from working at the animal clinic in Hermosa Beach, CA, and she does a wonderful job of capturing the bond between pets and their owners in this book. She is such a hardworker and her love for animals is apparent through her work in the oncology field.



4. I would recommend this book to anyone who has lost a beloved pet, or as a gift to someone who has. If you want to show you care without saying a word, give this book. In the privacy of their grief they will read this book and know that you understand what they are going through. Even more, they will know that many many people have come before us who have gone through the same hell.



5. Dog lovers will enjoy this book, and will also enjoy "August Magic" and "Heart of the Savannah" by Veronica Anne Starbuck. These two must-reads will be treasured additions to your canine library!

2 comments about Arf Angels and Other Heavenly Creatures: True Stories of Animal Visitations.

1. This book helped me cope with the loss of my friend/pet. It also helped me to look at death in a different way. And to help me realize that I could welcome another pet into my home. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is grieving the loss of a pet.



2. "Now that your loved one is gone, what'll you do?" I might suggest you first buy this book. When I lost my Bitsy, besides being devastated, I had burning questions - Where was she?, Was she safe?, Is she still around?, Will I see her again?, In this lifetime?, and the all-important, Why? My search has been ongoing for the past 3 years she's been gone. I have read nearly everything available written exclusively on the spirituality of animals and their afterlife as well as many books that may contain so much as a sentence in reference to their continued existence. When I discovered Anita Perry's Arf Angels and Other Heavenly Creatures I found a vein of gold in my mining expedition. While each of the stories offer the reader comfort in that we are not alone in our grief, (and in some cases in the decisions we've been forced to make), Ms. Perry gives us stories of purpose and hope. We are given the unique opportunity to look back on a life lived with purpose, give some meaning to the painful end process and banish some of our regrets. Each story relates to us how our individual lives are changed for having had our loved ones in them. The book takes for granted the grief is as real for our animal family as it is for anyone else. No words are wasted defending a position. For that I was refreshed and grateful. It's a matter of fact that animals come into our lives for a reason. It's a matter of fact that we usually survive them and have to come to terms with losing them. It's a matter of fact that our beloved family has an afterlife and find ways to let us know they are safe, that they still love us, and are around us even still. Reading these stories has given me comfort, hope, and peace. They will you, too. Now, Ms Perry, Will they come back?

3 comments about Hospice Hounds: Animals and Healing at the Borders of Death.

1. The title is a little off-putting - I did not think I wanted to read about hospice patients' last days. A friend convinced me to look at it. It is fantastic. The author relates her experiences taking 2 dogs to a hospice. Each chapter is about her encounter with a different patient. Each story evolves into a parable about life, and death. You will cry. But you will also laugh and be uplifted. You will be amazed at what animals can do to lift the human spirit when it is down. I am not aware of the author writing any other books, but I would love to read more from her - she paints a picture that is so vivid, you feel like you are in the room with her and the dogs. I have given this book to many of my friends and they all are raving about it. You must read this book!



2. This book is wonderful! It describes the authors visits to a hospice facility with 2 dogs. She paints a vibrant picture of the visits. Each chapter discusses a different visit. Each chapter also describes a lesson in living - the author weaves a philosophical lesson in life into each visit. The books title may mislead. I was initially put off by the thought of reading about hospice, but it is not so much about death as it is about life. It is warm, funny, and, yes, sad too. You will cry (as my wife and I did) but you will also laugh and feel warm to read how these incredible pets did so much to smooth the hospice patients last weeks. I have lent this book to my friends and they all are raving about it.



3. This is a fantastic book. At first, I was reluctant. I thought that it would be very sad. It is heartwarming. Michele brings you into the story as though you were there. It is very well written. It demonstrates the true healing powers of our beloved companions. Don't miss reading this book!

5 comments about Journey Through Pet Loss - Revised Edition 2000.

1. My Annabelle Kitty was 6 years old and one amazing kitty. She came every time I called her name. She was very loving to me, always petting me and purring. She got sick and in less than 11 hours she was unexpectedly gone. The vet thinks it was a blot clot. She died New Years morning 2008. I have other pets, but none like my Annabelle. She always had a way of always being there and she was so comforting. My first step in truly healing was this tape program. I would go lie down, but on my earphones and just close my eyes and listen to the woman talk about her dog. It helped to have my feelings validated by someone who has been there. These tapes helped me not to feel so alone. I have the support of my husband and 10 year old daughter, but the woman on the tapes helped me to deal with my grief. I was not doing very well and was not being there for my daughter and husband like I needed to be because of the loss I felt. It took a few days of focusing on what the woman said on the tapes, but I did what she said and it helped more than anything else. I am very grateful for the tapes. (I am not sure if my tapes were the revised edition or not)
   Blessings,
   Stephanie



2. Journey Through Pet Loss...takes us in the steps of grieving for a loved family pet. Deborah's audio also seems more personal to the listener. It touches you--because she understands the loss."
   
   Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD



3. Sometimes losing a dear animal friend can seem more overwhelming than the loss of a human in our lives. This is one of the many things that complicate the grieving process. The author explains that there are many bounds set by society and our own inner voice that attempt to dictate how long and how much we should mourn a beloved companion's passing. She explains why the loss of an animal can be a much more raw experience than the loss of a family member, friend or relative because of the mixed feelings and complicated relationships that we have with other humans. That simple, loving animal spirit that was so close to you is suddenly gone. There is no buffering element, no memories of a heated exchange that soured your relationship - nothing to blunt the pain. This can bring feelings of confusion and guilt, or painful memories of the loss of a child or spouse, and many other emotions. The author does an excellent job of explaining the reasons for these feelings, and suggests many different ways of working through them. She explains the phases of the grieving process and where to find help if serious emotional states are triggered. She also explains that we frequently project a part of our own psyche onto our pets, which can unleash unexpected effects on their passing.

   Despite the fact that I might have made this sound rather technical, it is not. The author puts forth a very gentle and concerned effort to do what the title implies - help you through the journey of pet loss.




4. I recommend this book to anyone who needs help through the stages of grief. It is practical and insightful.



5. The author uses moving vignettes from the death of her own pet to help others review their own feelings of grief. After each topic, she encourages the listener to turn off the tape and reflect on his or her own memories and feelings.

   She discusses pet memorials, stages of grief, euthanasia and hospice options. She emphasizes that each person has his or her own unique feelings. Different individuals might make different, equally valid choices for the beloved pet.

   I liked the sections on complicated grief. Pet loss can often reactivate deeper feelings about past losses. The pet's death may be a chance to work through other life experiences.

   Many of her general suggestions for dealing with pet loss could be useful for the entire family.

   The section on children's reactions to pet loss could have been stronger. I had a sense that the author was more comfortable dealing with adults and their animals. However, she did bolster her section on children with quotes from other authors and gave useful references.

   Carol E. Watkins, M.D.

5 comments about It's Okay To Cry.

1. I contributed the story about "Holly". She was my 15 year old poodle who saw me through the death of my father when I was eight, my teen years and becoming an adult. She died right after my 22nd birthday. Writing my memories of Holly was very theraputic for me. Since then I have lost another beloved pet (Chelsea, a seven year old Himalayan cat) and the stories in this book helped me through my grief. My advice to all pet owners is have this book bought and on a shelf BEFORE the lost of your four-legged friends. The book will be there waiting for you when you need it.



2. I loved this book. After the death of my best friend of ten years (my dog, Hardy), it made me realise that I wasn't the only one out there.



3. Don't miss this diamond within and don't be mislead by the reading level (Ages 4-8). This is a powerful book which gives the breaking heart permission to get another dog, love another dog, and form relationships with another dog yet still maintain the respect, integrity, and love for the beloved deceased dog. The book reassures the grieving owner that it is alright--nay, the deceased dog wants and encourages the owner left behind to heal, go on with life, and love again. The book assures the owner that the deceased dog is *ALWAYS* there in spirit and will be waiting for the owner at Rainbow Bridge. Oh yes, have some tissue at hand . . .



4. If you feel that you're alone and that nobody knows how you feel or have possibly been in the same situation... Read this book. As you read, you will feel the healing power of those who have been there.



5. If you have recently lost a beloved pet and are grieving, don't miss reading this book. You will find understanding among other animals lovers who have experienced the same type of feelings that you are experiencing. It is truly comforting to know that other people love their pets just as you loved yours. A great gift for anyone who has lost their pet.

2 comments about Pet Loss And Human Emotion: Guiding Clients Through Grief (Falconguide).

1. First, this book is expensive. It is paperback and very brief. The Amazon blurb gives the impression it is scholarly; and that's the worst thing about it, because it is trite beyond belief.
   
   It's merely a collection of truisms about pet loss that the most unlearned child would be able to express, and the unimpassioned quality of the writing makes it very difficult to believe the author (or authors; I'm still not clear how many people were involved in the work) were pioneers in their area in the field of pet grief counseling.
   
   I returned the book and asked for my money back, and I haven't done that with another book from Amazon.



2. Pet Loss and Human Emotion - guiding clients through grief by Cheri Barton Ross, MA & Jane Baron-Sorensen, RN, MA, MFCC The seriousness of issues that can arise from the loss of a pet and the severity of feelings experienced are explicated with great expertise and sensitivity by Ross and Baron-Sorenson. This book is designed to assist anyone in the helping professions to understand what a pet owner may be experiencing when their companion animal dies. Teachers, clergy, mental health professionals, veterinarians and staff, and anyone who has ever experienced the loss of a pet will benefit from the authors advice and years of experience in this beautifully written book. The authors begin with a description of the well documented benefits of animal owing for children, the elderly, people with AIDS, the terminally ill and the handicapped as well as for the general public. They suggest an assessment of the role an animal plays in the life of the client and careful consideration of how that affects their daily functioning, self esteem, sense of well being and identity. The phenomenon of "Animal Collectors" (individuals who keep animals in greater numbers than they can humanely care for) is described and the authors explain how to avoid the pitfalls in therapeutic intervention with them. When an animal dies the authors find that pet owners go through the same phases as grief as for human loss and suggest strategies for supportive therapy. Specifics about the procedure of euthanasia are given along with guidelines for assisting clients in working through all the issues that present before, during and after euthanasia is performed. Client issues stemming from euthanasia will range from memories of other deaths to situations where the client and pet share the same illness. Case studies are given from the authors' experiences of special types of pet loss such as accidents, a pet being stolen or being killed by someone, divorce situations and missing pets. Helpful suggestions are given by Ross and Baron-Sorenson of how helping professionals may best navigate potentially explosive situations and handle the complex emotions of pet owners due to these special circumstances of pet loss. A range of feelings from guilt to rage can occur when a pet owner feels they were responsible in some way for the death, or that someone else was culpable. The authors give valuable insight into how to respond to these difficult situations before bereaved pet owners' job performance, marriage and daily functioning are adversely affected. Information on how children of varying ages assimilate loss and how to communicate the facts of death or euthanasia will be of invaluable help to anyone working with children and to parents. Concerns of the elderly are addressed including the profound impact of lifestyle changes a pet's death presents for this vulnerable population. Guidelines for acquiring a new pet are detailed with a special eye to timing and each individual's unique situation. The authors find that resolution of the issues presenting from the loss of a pet is advisable before bringing a new pet into the home. Their clinical experience has shown that when grief is resolved, the tendency to make painful comparisons between the former pet and a new pet is diminished In situations where there is more than one pet in the household, suggestions for clients in dealing with feelings of missing a favored deceased pet, while allowing existing pets personalities a chance to surface are explored. Behavioral manifestations of grief and loss are detailed with a list of common grief reactions to inform the reader how to recognize reactions that have become maladaptive. Prolonged despair and substance abuse issues that can surface when a pet dies are handled comprehensively with suggestions for handling crisis situations. Special attention is given to guilt, compound loss and suicidal client issues. This book is well thought out, and very easy to read as the authors have created an optimal balance of clinical and anecdotal information. This is a great desk reference for anyone who may encounter a bereaved pet owner in their work or co-counseling situations. By Deborah Antinori, MA, RDT, LPC, NBCCH Director of Therapy - Davison Counseling Center and Pet Loss & Life Transitions Counseling, Basking Ridge, NJ Author - "Journey Through Pet Loss" - 1999 Audie Award Winner, Best New Publisher - Audio Publishers Association

1 comments about The Fascinating World of the Nightshades: Tobacco, Mandrake, Potato, Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Etc..

1. Tobacco, Mandrake, Potato, Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Henbane, Jimpson Weed, Petunia, "Wonderberry", Deadly Nightshade, Woody Nightshade, "Devil's Trumpet", Brugmansia, Chilli Peppers - all are in the same family of plants - the potato/nightshade family. This book tells the story of many of these plants, and ties them all together. The author has a scientific/historical background, and succeeds in painting a fascinating, intriguing picture of these plants, in a way that few authors would be able to do. After reading this book, you may be wondering just what a garden with all of these plants together might look like - certainly a unique phenomenon!