Customer Reviews

Blessing the Bridge: What Animals Teach Us About Death, Dying, and Beyond

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When my review was posted on May 2, 2001, I did not know the reading of this book would provide comfort so soon. Today on June 19, just a little over a month after this review was written, the decision was made to allow my ten year old Shih-tzu to make her final journey, a journey that would ease her pain, give her the wings, and take her to a Heavenly world far beyond this one.

This morning, faithfully licking the tears from my eyes, as if in understanding - to say "it's okay, I know my time has come," it was evident the greatest gift I could give this loyal, loving companion was the right to die with dignity and peace. This wonderful, gentle dog, diagnosed with cancer over a year ago, has seen me through divorce, a career change, re-location, re-marriage, and the death of my father. She asked for nothing, but gave - oh, so much. The words of "Blessing the Bridge" resounded in my head as I held her one last time...now I lay you down to sleep.

There simply are not enough stars for this soul-searching book. For anyone who has been blessed with the endless love of a soulmate from the animal kingdom, the words of this book will give you peace of mind and strength when it is most needed.

Those who are dying are often the best equipped to teach us about the mysteries of death and the wonder of living. This is no exception with animals. Rita Reynolds has worked with sick and dying animals for over 20 years at her animal sanctuary in Virginia. Not only has she comforted a wide variety of animals in their final hours, helping them to die with peace, grace and dignity, but she has listened to them and learned.

The day before Rita's beloved dog Oliver died, he communicated to her the importance of sharing such moments rather than drowning in grief. "Everything is as it is meant to be," reassured Oliver. "And if you let me, I will guide you for all the moments to come." As Rita was to learn in all matters of life and death, there is only the moment - and, "love given and received, moment by moment, is all that really matters."

Reynolds' book is both a spiritual and practical guide. Including her personal story of creating a hospice as well as the stories of many animals who have shared their wisdom and insights, Rita also suggests a variety of tools for helping sick, old or dying animals - from prayers and flower essences to massage, chants and healing music. As we help our animals to be comfortable, to lose fear and transition effortlessly, gracefully (or, as each body needs to do - sometimes with noise and fanfare) across the bridge called death, we lessen the fear within ourselves.

Rita covers some difficult topics as well: how to know when euthanasia is appropriate; how to let go of a beloved animal companion; what to do once an animal has passed; and how to open to the larger understanding that death can be beautiful and that each being, human and animal alike, brings us a unique gift. In all cases, Rita offers many ways to deepen our connection, not only with the dying but with the living, and with the deeper aspects of ourselves.

This is an amazing book! I personally appreciated the author's reverence for all life forms. To be able to look deeply and appreciate the lives of everything from the largest life forms, those creatures that we all are used to having share our lives, to those less common ones or those we often ignore or distance ourselves from, is something I truly honor and respect. I could relate to the author's childhood experience of feeling that she was "different" because she felt so connected to nature and animals, even more so than to many humans sometimes. I, too, felt the same connection as a child - a feeling that continues still. Each individual story is touching in its own way. Each story brought tears to my eyes as I felt the depth of love flowing between the author and each life form as well as the love flowing from one animal to another. Death is difficult whether it is an animal or a human. However, to be able to be there and honor the soul as it makes its transition, is an experience I've had many times and one that I cherish as does Rita. Read the book and experience the love between two ducks, or the wonderful interactions between the author and a spider, or the story of a lady bug, or the strength of a little mouse! Stories that are real and touching and yet most people don't even let the experience happen. It is very sad that they therefore miss out on experiencing a special joy and connection. Rita is a gift to this world in her ability to share her feelings of compassion, to give love and comfort and to be able to love enough to release, to let go, and to set free when the time has come. This book isn't just for animal lovers, it's for anyone who honors life. The stories and lessons contained in the book apply to life in general. The book is a strong reminder to everyone that "kindness uplifts the world."

Blessing the Bridge not only explores what animals teach us about dying, it celebrates the life of many beings--from a spider who appreciates good music to a duck who teaches a powerful lesson in letting go. Sandwiched inbetween are tales of beloved dogs and other companion animals--each bears a gift the author accepts and shares with the readers of this book. Blessing the Bridge will fill your heart with joy and your brain with practical ways to cross that bridge when you come to it. I highly recommend this book!

Everyone who has lost a beloved pet will relate to this books.

Before starting reading it, get a new supply of tissues. It is very emotional and sad at times. The stories of the animal posted here will break the heart of the most brave human.

At the same time, this book is very refreshing, showing us that even in death one can see beauty. Nothing can prepare you for the death of a trusted friend. But having read this book, you will find yourself with a new point of view, and when the time comes, you will have a good chance to deal with a pet loss in a better way than most.

Helping your pet cross over is the hardest and most important task of an animal gueardian. This books guides you through it.

May you rarely need it.

THIS BOOK WAS JUST AMAZING. I HAVE READ SO MANY DOG RELATED BOOKS BUT THIS ONE OUT SHINES THEM ALL. I HAD LOST MY 14 YEAR OLD BASSET HOUND TO CANCER AND A YEAR AFTER HER DEATH I BOUGHT THIS BOOK. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT ALL THE SIGNS AND SIGNALS SHE WAS SENDING ME WERE CONFIRMED IN RITA'S WRITINGS. YOU WOULD NO BE DOING YOURSELF JUSTICE BY NOT READING THIS BOOK. THANK YOU

Rita Reynolds' book is kind and thorough. The book should appeal to anyone who lives with animals. It will definitely help to create a deeper understanding of death and ease the transition for both the dying and those left behind. Reynolds is both practical and spiritual, with lots of well-earned advice from the many animal deaths she has witnessed at her no-kill shelter. I can't recommend this book highly enough; it's generous and comforting.

Author Rita Reynolds draws upon more than twenty years of experience working with sick and dying animals to alleviate their suffering in her new book, Blessing The Bridge: What Animals Teach Us About Death, Dying, And Beyond, a spiritual collection of stories about the animals that touched her life. This is more than a volume of advice for grieving the loss of a pet; Blessing The Bridge is a pioneer journey toward deeper understanding between animals and humans. With a nonsecular perspective on death and renewal, inspirational stories, and unlimited compassion, Blessing The Bridge is a memorable and gentle work of heartfelt emotion.

The above lines are ones most Christians have heard in early childhood as part of a nightly prayer. They also conjure up thoughts and emotions as we lay our beloved animals down to sleep when age, pain and suffering come to much to bear. We can acquire insight and knowledge from animals, whether they are animals in the wild or the devoted canine who sits faithfully by our side, fearless and ever ready at our command. We can learn much of the process of dying, but we can also learn an incredible amount on the quality of living. Our companions ask for little. They seldom complain, they have no need for materialistic wants, they possess a natural, inbred-ability to balance time without a course in time management. As long as they are given food, water, warm, dry shelter, and are treated with love and kindness...they have all they ever need. They raise families, face life's obstacles and dangers, and do not have to climb the corporate ladder or keep up with friends and neighbours to live happy, fulfilling lives. But, "they don't have to work for a living," you say. When is the last time you had to hunt for food to survive, pull a tractor around a field from sunup till sundown, or haul a dog-sled through miles of relentless snow and ice? How many of us would be content with a pat on the head for a paycheque?

I absolutely loved this sensitive, touching book. "Blessing the Bridge" is not only about death and beyond, is about living. Spider, duck, fly, horse or lion, they are all creatures of the universe, with challenges, feelings and...souls. It is against Buddhist belief to take the life of any living being. In Tibet, monks and nuns in monastic life sweep the pathway with brooms rather than risk taking the life of an insect by inadvertantly stepping on it. We, as humans, can learn the difference of what is truly important in our life, and what is nothing more than a conceptual illusion of what we "perceive" will make us happy. I give the author extreme credit for the insight, research and knowledge contained in this dramatic and beautifully written book. If the does not succeed in touching your heart...little in this lifetime will.

Rita Reynolds offers solace to anyone who has had a beloved pet and has had to face, or anticipates facing, the loss of their beloved's physical presence and companionship when the cycle of death and dying arrive. My husband and I just went through this experience with our beautiful 11 year old Golden Retriever and it was a heartwrenching experience, though it opened many avenues for emotional and spiritual growth. I had already set the intention for healing and growth for myself through this deeply painful experience when a client of mine gave me Rita's book. Her book beautifully validated in my mind what is possible when we move into the pain of loss with our beloved animal friends and use the experience to deepen our connection to life. Rita is an incredibly compassionate person and writes her beautiful story with an amazingly open and expansive heart. Thank you Rita for choosing to share your love and inspiration to support us on our journeys with our pets.