Bliss to You: Trixie's Guide to a Happy Life

I hope Dean realizes that we're not crazed stalking nut jobs out here because we truly fell in love with Trixie. In the past years Trixie has grown from the dog in the photo on the dust jacket of his books to the dog in our hearts. He's said all the good things about her that we were maybe too unsure to say about our own animal companions. Dean loved Trixie and acclaimed her without embarrassment. We watched the gray hair around the muzzle grow more and more prevalent on each new publication but the videos on his web site showed that she was still silly and playful. We read Trixie's blog and laughed at the sentiments of "Trixie Koontz, dog". I remember the day that her passing was announced and calls came in to work from all over the country from the group of us who'd professed our affection for her. We talked a little and laughed a lot and wrote checks to "Canine Companions" as Dean Koontz requested. I understand the proceeds from this book are being donated to this deserving organization. Dean Koontz's web site now carries a blog from TOTOS "Trixie on the other side" and she continues to write from the Rainbow Bridge; she's still in our hearts and on the page. This books is similar to many of her other writings - down home good advice. The kind you got from grammy. You will also find some convoluted Trixie logic like her professing that dogs would be better drivers than Paris Hilton. She even admits her weaknesses like her profound dislike (not hatred) of cats. This is a good book, written by a good dog who is loved by a very good man..Bliss to you, Dean and Bliss to you, too, Trixie.....bg

I bought this book to help my wife and daughter cope with the recent death of our 8 year old dog. I laughed and cried myself as I read it, and could almost see our little mongrel speaking the words to me with that way dogs look at those they love. The simple steps (messages) of loving others, being grateful and happy may seem like something out of a 12-step program, but trying to put them into context of loss and grief helped me understand that we have choices to remember the good, or go on living with sadness. I'll see my Chiqui some day at Rainbow Bridge!

Trixie Koontz's new book, "Bliss to You", is a testament to what happens when an author has a unique insight into human nature that can only come from living among them with a loving, yet realistic and accepting heart. In her third book (and the first pawed from the other side), Trixie outlines her eight steps for humans to find bliss in their lives (calm, beauty, fun, meaning, others, humility, loss, gratitude). The simplicity, yet poignant accuracy of her wisdoms hits home delivering a wild ride of tears and laughs all rolled into one tremendous book. You need only to look into the eyes of our dog friends, as we do with our own Golden, to know that Trixie's wisdom is truth for us all. Thank you Trixie!

I am totally and completely a "Trixie Fan." I swear that if she had a Fan Club - I would want to be President of it. Or at least in charge of the membership drive! LOL I believe that our pets do wait for us. And I feel sorry for the cynics that choose not to believe this. That said, I have never anticipated a book more than BLISS TO YOU. Frankly...it was worth the wait. BLISS TO YOU is funny, sweet, informative and PROFOUND. It is the perfect gift to give every dog lover in your life. Also perfect for everyone whom you care about in your life who maybe is feeling depressed or doesn't seem to know what their purpose is in life. I gave this book to my next-door neighbor who has experienced two very tragic losses recently with the sudden death of her son-in-law last year and 19-yr. old grandson a few months ago. She told me that the book "magically" opened to Step 7 about Loss. After reading it, she was so moved that she immediately called her daughter (the mother of her grandson) and READ this chapter to her. They were both comforted so much. The novels by Dean Koontz reveal him to be an amazing author; Bliss to You proves that he is an amazing human being as well. And remember! ALL of the proceeds from BLISS TO YOU go to support Trixie's favorite charity: Canine Companions for Independence! (CCI) This is SUCH a worthwhile organization and it helps so many individuals and soldiers who are incapacitated or in wheelchairs or deaf. The book itself is beautiful and absolutely great for displaying on your coffee table. But what is INSIDE this book is even MORE beautiful: Lessons about life from our favorite TOTOS. (Trixie On The Other Side.)

Buy this book. After you read it, you'll be able to throw away any self-help books you may have read in the past, because you won't need them any more. Everything you need to know to make you happy - it's all in here. Happiness is simple when you have a dog explain it to you.