For Bea: The Story of the Beagle Who Changed My Life [Hardcover]

Kristen Von Kreisler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 28, 2003

Harried from recent changes in her life, the last thing Kristin von Kreisler needed was another dog. But when she came upon Bea, a scrawny beagle abandoned by the roadside, she couldn't turn her away. Bea became part of her family, and changed it forever.

Disheveled, malnourished, and terrified of human contact, for months Bea seemed damaged beyond repair. But gradually, she began to trust von Kreisler. After resisting her touch again and again, the dog one day leaned in and nuzzled von Kreisler's neck. From that moment, Bea began to give love as well as receive it. With the typically unforgettable personality of a beagle, over the next decade and a half she taught von Kreisler the value of living utterly in the present, of meeting each day with a good bark, of going on in life without being dragged down by past grief.

Written with rare eloquence and down-to-earth wit, this memoir of Bea and von Kreisler's 15-year love story will charm "beaglers" and touch the heart of anyone who's ever loved a dog. Bibliography.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

When von Kreisler, author of The Compassion of Animals (1999), found a beagle named Bea whose traumatic past included a stay at an animal-research facility, she was determined to help the cowering, malnourished animal. From the dog's condition, von Kreisler knew it wouldn't be easy. She was right. Bea vibrates with fear, rebuffs people, and feels relieving oneself takes place more easily indoors than out. The first chapters of this memoir are the best; readers bond with Bea just as Von Kreisler and her husband do, and everyone roots for the dog's slow but steady progress. Once Bea acclimates to her new surroundings, though, the book becomes just another dog story. Fortunately, von Kreisler is a good enough writer to keep readers' interest, even though her more factual material (e.g., the history of beagles) is woven in rather inelegantly. Dog tales have a built-in audience, though, and this one will, too. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

[For Bea] kept me reading late into the night. Bea is unforgettable. Her story will touch your heart. -- Mary Tyler Moore

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Tarcher (April 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585422223
• ISBN-13: 978-1585422227
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,637,592 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Touching Story, September 7, 2003

By 

Hilary Miller (KY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: For Bea: The Story of the Beagle Who Changed My Life (Hardcover)

I finished this book in a few hours and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our family adopted a rescue beagle less than two months ago, so the subject was dear to my heart. Like Bea, our beagle was "damaged goods" (missing an eye and about to be euthanized) but he has brought so much joy into our lives in just a few weeks. I think this book would appeal particularly to beagle owners and lovers (the digression about beagle history in the middle of the book might be less interesting for some, although being new to beagles, I found it fascinating). However, anyone who loves animals and likes "ugly duckling" stories would enjoy this book. It is heartwarming to read about Bea's transformation from an abused research animal into a loving and much-loved member of the family.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank You!, May 21, 2003

By 

Jay Livengood (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: For Bea: The Story of the Beagle Who Changed My Life (Hardcover)

As a former beagle-owner, the story of Bea touched my soul. This is a beautifully written book, full of stories to which all dog-owners can relate. How wonderful to follow Von Kreisler's adventures with Bea over a period of many years, to be reminded of the joys, sorrows, and rewards of raising and loving an animal. Bea's story reminded my wife and I so much of our dear departed beagle - it motivated us to go out and rescue or adopt one who needs a good home. Thank you for giving us the idea and the courage to make another dog a part of our lives!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What an Angel!, December 30, 2003

By 

E. Rey "flannelpants" (TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: For Bea: The Story of the Beagle Who Changed My Life (Hardcover)

Becoming a dog owner for the first time in the last year, I adopted two beautiful beagles. As in this book, I have discovered that a beagle is just an angel in a furry body - you can't find a sweeter, more gentle, loving pet. This book tells Bea's story, but also is sprinkled with beagle facts and information on animal testing. This book maybe too "fluffy" for some guys, but I think that overall anyone whose life has been touched by a beagle will enjoy reading it.