Grieving the Death of a Pet

This book is a touching and insightful look at how people grieve when their beloved pet passes on. Many overlook how pets have helped people get through tough times, and given unconditional love to their owners. I've seen dogs that help heal (in the sense that they give lots of attention and love) people with acute and/or chronic illnesses. By the same token, many people grieve over the loss of their pets, particularly those who have been in the family household for over five years. Why else would children want to place their animals' remains in a special place in the backyard? Ms. Carmack not only shares people's heartfelt stories, but also gives good insight on just what is needed to get through those tough times. I gave this book to one friend who had lost a cat that he owned for twelve years, and he said that reading it really made a difference to him on that struggle. To complain that this book doesn't fit a certain person's view on Christianity doesn't do the book justice. Just because pets aren't mentioned in Scripture doesn't mean they aren't important to people and healing. And to discount pets as instruments of God is very sad and lacking insight. Thankfully, this book doesn't recommend spending thousands of dollars in pet cemeteries. BUT, that's up to the owner and none of other people's business, no?

I have been grieving for almost two years over the death of Ming, my cat, my child. This book has done more for me than all of the other books I've read, the articles, the hot line calls, the pet loss groups, the counseling, and every other attempt to deal with my grief. All of the other sources are important, but this book answered the tormenting question: "Why do I feel this way ?". Betty Carmack put it into words like noone else ever has. There was only one thing to do when I finished this book.......begin it and read it again.

The loss of our beloved animal companions is like no other loss. How do we say goodbye to our best friends and cope with the pain and overwhelming grief? Betty Carmack's book truly captures the experience of pet loss and honors the sacred connection we have with our animal companions.

I have just finished reading this book any can't say enough positive things about it. Ms. Carmack's book is not a "quick fix" to help someone through the grief process of loosing a pet. It is however, a book for anyone who has a pet, anticipates the loss of their pet or who is currently going through the grief process. Ms. Carmack candidly talks about her own personal emotions concerning the pets she has lost as well as stories of others and their pets who range from cats, parrots, horses, dogs. This is an "easy read" that will capture your attention from the start. You won't want to put it down.

This book as touched me like no other ever has. The personal stories were real not text book examples. They authentically showed what it is truly like to love and lose that animal. The spiritual base of the book is woven throughout the manuscript in a way that everyone can relate. This book has made me think about the impending death of one of my dogs along with the loss of my childhood dog. It was a way to look back and realize that the feelings that I have had all these years were real and were "ok"I think one of the main themes of this book is that it's "ok" to feel what you are feeling. It's not just a dog, it's part of your family and greiving is natural and expected part of healing.Betty Carmack also tells us that it's ok to move on. That we will know when the time is right to get the next pet.I also liked how it didn't just focus on dogs or cats, there were people who were greiving the loss of their beloved bird. This is a must read for anyone who has a pet or who has lost a pet. I will recommend this book to everyone I know.