Helpful Score: 1
It's hard to write a review with tears running down my face.
I bought 3 copies of this book a few years ago. I gave one to my friend Donna when she lost her beloved Pomeranian "Thumper" and another for my friend Kat who was at the time planning to start an animal sanctuary. The 3rd copy I kept for myself. I didn't read it but always knew it was on my shelf.
4 days ago my husband Brian and I had to make the decision to euthanize our crazy, sweet, lovable, not so pretty, Pug girl Miss Fergie(also know as Fergala). I knew I now had to follow my own advice and read the book.
Jon Katz has wonderful insight on the subject of living with and letting go of the animals we love. I am not one to mark a book or use a highlighter on it, but this book may be one that I will. There are so many things that made me stop and think YES, EXACTLY! One particular paragraph that helped me so much is as follows:
"Animals can not talk to us, but I imagine that if they could, they would say something like this:
Speak for me. Help me to make the decisions that I can not make. Do not ask me to tell you when it's time for me to go, for that is beyond my simple province. I love you and trust you, and I have depended on you all of my life to make decisions for me. Now, when I need you the most, do not fail me. Whatever you decide, I know it will be your best decision, and I wish you nothing but peace with it."
I bought 3 copies of this book a few years ago. I gave one to my friend Donna when she lost her beloved Pomeranian "Thumper" and another for my friend Kat who was at the time planning to start an animal sanctuary. The 3rd copy I kept for myself. I didn't read it but always knew it was on my shelf.
4 days ago my husband Brian and I had to make the decision to euthanize our crazy, sweet, lovable, not so pretty, Pug girl Miss Fergie(also know as Fergala). I knew I now had to follow my own advice and read the book.
Jon Katz has wonderful insight on the subject of living with and letting go of the animals we love. I am not one to mark a book or use a highlighter on it, but this book may be one that I will. There are so many things that made me stop and think YES, EXACTLY! One particular paragraph that helped me so much is as follows:
"Animals can not talk to us, but I imagine that if they could, they would say something like this:
Speak for me. Help me to make the decisions that I can not make. Do not ask me to tell you when it's time for me to go, for that is beyond my simple province. I love you and trust you, and I have depended on you all of my life to make decisions for me. Now, when I need you the most, do not fail me. Whatever you decide, I know it will be your best decision, and I wish you nothing but peace with it."
Helpful Score: 1
Jon Katz is a well-versed expert on dogs. He has shared many of his experiences with many readers over the years. He writes from Bedlam Farm of his many dogs, and the many stages of life with them.
In this most recent book, Jon Katz addresses the inevitable final stage. He writes of Going Home: Finding Peace When Pets Die.
This one is of particular meaning for me. I have lost many pets over my lifetime. I miss every one of them still. I have had an especially difficult time losing my Shetland Sheepdog, Maisie (in 2010). I have shared pictures of her, written about her, and still grieve for her.
Jons book is understanding and compassionate. He understands dogs and their people. Jon understands the bond between them. In this book, he gets it right with his words of advice and comfort. He honors this bond, this relationship between pet and person. And he respects the undying love.
In addition to his books, Jon Katz has a website and a blog. I recommend Jon Katz, his books, and his sites. He understands the special bond of Furever Friends.
In this most recent book, Jon Katz addresses the inevitable final stage. He writes of Going Home: Finding Peace When Pets Die.
This one is of particular meaning for me. I have lost many pets over my lifetime. I miss every one of them still. I have had an especially difficult time losing my Shetland Sheepdog, Maisie (in 2010). I have shared pictures of her, written about her, and still grieve for her.
Jons book is understanding and compassionate. He understands dogs and their people. Jon understands the bond between them. In this book, he gets it right with his words of advice and comfort. He honors this bond, this relationship between pet and person. And he respects the undying love.
In addition to his books, Jon Katz has a website and a blog. I recommend Jon Katz, his books, and his sites. He understands the special bond of Furever Friends.
Much of what the author discussed in this book is sensible and easy to determine for oneself. Pets do become part of one's family and it is hard to let them go. I still call our current dog by our last dog's name occasionally and I miss the cat I ever had. I was delighted to find a picture of her nestled in my camera.
Some of the stories were quite interesting. I loved to hear about the author's donkey named Elvis. What an animal! On the other hand some of the stories were rather mundane. Growing up on a farm where we rarely named the farm animals I understood that aspect. The only lamb that ever had a name was Tiny, an orphan that grew up to be nothing but. Our dogs had names always but our cats never. I don't really know why except they were referred to as barn cats. Yes, as children we played with them but they never came into the house and so often they roamed off to another farm.
Should you read the little book? If you are grieving why not. It might help you cope with the pain of losing your pet. If not, wait until you are.
Some of the stories were quite interesting. I loved to hear about the author's donkey named Elvis. What an animal! On the other hand some of the stories were rather mundane. Growing up on a farm where we rarely named the farm animals I understood that aspect. The only lamb that ever had a name was Tiny, an orphan that grew up to be nothing but. Our dogs had names always but our cats never. I don't really know why except they were referred to as barn cats. Yes, as children we played with them but they never came into the house and so often they roamed off to another farm.
Should you read the little book? If you are grieving why not. It might help you cope with the pain of losing your pet. If not, wait until you are.
