Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

Kristin Von Kreisler's tribute to Bea, a beagle that she obviously loved with all her heart, is a must read for everyone. I was saddened over the possibilities that might have been the first years of Bea's life, I was encouraged at every step Bea took towards healing, I cried at set backs, laughed at her antics and fell totally in love with Bea.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was an eye opener about how terrible the effects of cruelty can be on an animal, but love and patience win out in the end. This is a very personal story about Bea and how thee author and her husband bring this abandoned victim back to the world, how it affected their own life and relationship. Very funny at times, sad at times, but uplifting and encouraging.

I loved Kristin Von Kreisler's two previous books, The Compassion of Animals and Beauty in the Beast, but For Bea is even better. What makes it so good is the feeling that the author is speaking directly and intimately from the heart, sharing a story that is one of the central stories of her life. Kristin and Beatrice (whose picture on the cover, by the way, is worth the price of the book) truly met not as person and Beagle, but as soul and soul. How I wish I could have met Beatrice! She sounds like a soul truly worth knowing. And with this beautiful book, I feel that I have known her, just a little bit, myself. I do recommend this book very highly to anyone who wants to know more about the mysterious ways of love.

I just finished "For Bea", more than a year and a half after reading about author Kristin von Kriesler in the San Francisco Chronicle, cutting out the article to remind myself of this beautiful and simple story of courage, love, and faith. I finally bought the book a few weeks ago and am so glad that I did. Von Kriesler has shown, through this homage to a battered and abused little dog, that unconditional love, hope, and trust can overcome even the harshest cruelty. It is hard to express how much I related to Von Kriesler's love for her dog and her belief that Bea had, in fact, done more for her than she had done for her pet. She is an amazing woman who tells this story with grace, humor, and unabiding love. Thank you, Mrs. von Krielser, for making me laugh and sob and to ponder the joy of discovering our true selves, oftentimes in the most unexpected of places.

A must-read for those who believe that our companion animals can bring out the best in you,lift you up in the lowest time of your life, and love you unconditionally until their very last breath. This is one book I wish I have written for my lovable daughter dog, Wanda, who is patiently waiting for me at the gates of The Rainbow Bridge!

This book is a must for anyone who loves beagles, or anyone who has taken in an animal in need and nursed that animal back to physical and emotional health! Dog lovers will fall for Von Kreisler's touching, amusing story of Bea's transformation from battered-and-broken lab animal to cherished pet. Well written and entertaining, this book made me laugh and cry. I've already recommended it to all my family, friends and fellow beagle rescuers!

After reading this book, I decided to give it as a gift to my dear friends who lost their dog (beagle-dachshund mix) about six months ago. I know they are still struggling with this loss and I believe "For Bea" encourages us to honor the memories of our pets and to realize how profoundly they change our lives. The author tells her story with such wonderful humor and authenticity, I think it makes a great gift book for any dog-owner or former dog-owner.