Customer Reviews

The Animals' Viewpoint on Dying, Death and Euthanasia

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I truely enjoyed "The Animals' Viewpoint on Dying, Death, and Euthanasia" by Elizabeth Severino, D.D., D.R.S, animal communicator.

As I write this, it has been 10 days since I had to euthanize my beloved companion of 16-17 years. Spike, my pure white cat with one green eye and one yellow eye, was a true delight to own. We knew each other very well. When one of his back legs no longer worked and the other back leg was not strong enough to do the work for both, I knew it was the beginning of the end.

I had known the end was closer than I wanted it to be for a few months. He was losing weight just as fast as he was eating. He no longer felt the need to groom himself, and he just wasn't himself. The decision to euthanize him was both an easy one and a hard one to make. ~ I had sworn from the beginning of his decline that I would not allow him to suffer, and it was time to make good on that promise. Yet, it was so hard to let go of a beloved companion that kept my every secret, took care of me when I was sick, and did nothing but love me his entire life. That's where this book hit home for me.

Elizabeth Severino does a wonderful job of telling the stories of her experiences with animals in her life, and what she has learned from animals since that helps her to understand those past experiences. One of the main things learned is that there are 3 stages of death, and euthanizing an animal in the 3rd stage is the best. The animal does certain things to let you know it is in the 3rd stage. And the animals themselves are aware of these stages, and prefer euthanasia to a painful existance/death. I believe Spike had just entered that 3rd stage when it 'came to me' that it was his time to go.

This book also offers the idea that animals reincarnate. You should have an open mind to read this book. I don't know what I believe yet about reincarnation, but I'm certainly open to hearing views regarding it - and I enjoyed reading the views expressed in this book.

I recommend this book for anyone who has had to, or feels they may need to, euthanize their pet. It also offers some prayers and methods of healing that I found very interesting. This book wasn't about finding comfort for myself regarding losing my pet, however I did feel a sense of relief after reading it.

1smileycat :-)

Judging from the response to this book, not many people buy this book, but a lot of people see the site. That said, I found this book to be quite intriguing. Like "1smileycat", I had to recently put down my favorite pet (in my case, my beloved dog of 10 years). I actually found out about this book from looking at 1smileycat's profile (so thanks :) ) and bought it. Severino's book is a nice read and offers an interesting view of dying, death, and euthanasia- all, as the title suggests, told from an animal's point of view. A good read and definite recommendation for anyone grieving the loss of a loved pet.

I don't know why there aren't hundreds of reviews on this book, because it's absolutely magic. If you're looking for comfort and evidence, buy it! I am grateful Elizabeth shared her insights with us, readers. As I am in the learning process of becoming an animal communicator myself, I am doing research in reading as much as I can. But first of all I am a grieving person who's animal friend recently died and I am besides myself with grief over this loss. Elizabeth shares her knowledge that all is as it's supposed to be. She enlights, she has such insight, and yet, as a scientifically educated woman, she does not take things for granted. The care-humans (as she calls them) of the pets, deceased or alive, acknowledge her words over and over again. Facts. I read this book of 143 page's in one day, up to late at night. Just couldn't stop. It was one of the most beautiful gifts I received. So just buy it :-)

I found this book very comforting and brought me a lot of peace. I had to put my pet to sleep some months ago and it was a very difficult decision, a lot of mixed feelings. Elizabeth lets us know that our pets prepare us for their death and inform us of how they want to cross over. Made me feel in peace with the decision I took. It gave me a spiritual understanding. Thank you so much for this book!

Reading this book just days after I had my beloved 18 year old cat put to sleep was very painful. She had kidney failure and if I had waited until stage 3 of the dying process as recommended by the author, it would have been extremely distressing for both of us. My cat looked to me as her mother and I know she wanted me to do something to make her feel better, but I had run out of options. I had her put to sleep at home before she was quite ready to go because I could not bear to see her get any more distressed, let alone have to drive her to some emergency clinic in the middle of a cold winter night. Elizabeth Severino does not acknowledge just how agonising such decisions can be. I talked to my cat a lot, said prayers for her and tried to prepare her for her transition. I think the book should have offered more guidance about spiritual preparation for euthanasia and continuing support after death for an animal that may be confused by the dying process, as the author says.

I found this book to be extremely helpful during the grieving process. It helped me understand death from my dog's point of view. After reading this, I felt connected to my dog and less devastated by her absence. The book has also helped me understand the loss of my human companions, as well.

I found Dr. Elizabeth Severino's book to be truly inspirational and enlightening. I just recently lost my beloved canine companion Abigail to cancer. Dr. Liz assisted us during her treatments and her eventual passing. She continues to assist us as I strive to increase my ability to connect with Abigail in spirit. Through her insight and the sharing of such tender memories/personal experiences in the book, I have gained a much deeper understanding of the dying process for all creatures (animal & human alike) as well as a more fortified knowing that spirit remains very much alive after the body fails. I read the book in less than 10 hours cover to cover and will consult it for the remainder of my life. This book will no doubt prove instrumental over and over again to me and the animals I love as I believe strongly that a care-human must be an advocate for his/her animals. This book takes the responsibilty of advocacy to a whole new level recognizing that even in death we must protect our beloved companions. The spirit is to be cared for and nurtured just as much as the physical body. The whole animal (body & spirit) deserves a transition to death and rebirth characterized by dignity and grace. This book creates an awareness of just that, and enables care-humans to remain steady and true to their beloved animal companions until the end of the animals' physical lives. I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves an animal and strives to nurture and protect him/her.

I had the honor of discovering Dr. Elizabeth Severino (Dr. Liz) after the tragic loss of my 1 year old cat to uncurable FIP disease and 2 year old chinchilla to untreatable maloclussion in 2005. (I wish I'd known about her sooner). Her extraordinary animal communication gift and her skill at Quantum Biofeedback Energy Healing has proven amazing in my animals' lives. If I hadn't seen their positive responses and healing for myself I would never have believed it was possible.

Dr. Liz helped me recently through the sad loss of another dear chinchilla. She was 8 and had cancer. This book was a Godsend to me and I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed the background of how Dr. Liz grew up and her relationship with animals and when she realized what her life's purpose was after a near death experience. She has communicated with animals of all kinds across the world and she really was instrumental in putting forth the animals' viewpoint on this very important topic.

This book helps you to know when your animal is at one of the various stages when they are ill or dying, and when they want to continue fighting, and when they want to be released from suffering. The very sad day I ended my chinchilla's life in the exotic vet's office was eased by knowing she was going to a better place, and that she would no longer have cancer and would be filled with joy. The cancer was inoperable and she could never have continued to live a normal, pain-free life. The beautifully written poems in the back of the book were so helpful and brought many tears to my eyes as I read them lovingly aloud during her memorial.

There are many books about life after death for our companion animals, but none other than this one that really help us understand the animals' own viewpoint on the dying, death and euthanasia process. This book will bring you peace and is well worth owning. I can't recommend it more highly.

I read this book once from cover to cover and then again, in different sections, up until my dog's final hour here on earth. The book spoke to me like no other.

In the end, I felt a peace for my dog and myself. I held my dog as he took his last breath with love and grace. There was no fear or remorse.

I encourage anyone who is facing tough times and hard decisions for their animals to read this book. It was incredible.

A lovely book that helps one understand the animal's views on death and dying which are so very different from humans. We as humans resist death whereas animals accept it as nothing more than the natural process of life. It helped my husband and I be more at peace when we had no choice but to euthanize our sweet Samoyed, Tassy, this past Christmas. This woman truly understands animals and has a true gift of telepathic communication with them. This book is a wonderful gift to all of us that deeply love and bond with our animals.