Bliss to You: Trixie's Guide to a Happy Life [Audiobook, MP3 Audio, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Trixie Koontz (Author), Teryn McKewin (Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 16, 2008

Bestselling author Dean Koontz says that his dog, Trixie, changed his life and made him a better, happier person. A 68-pound dog who lived close to the ground, Trixie certainly did cast a long shadow. She first became known outside of her own house (doghouse, that is) as a guest blogger on Dean’s website, signing off every entry Life is Good, Bliss to You. Now, in this warm and funny book –- as told to Dean Koontz -- Trixie once again shares her inspiring outlook on life and reveals the eight steps that anyone can take to achieve not merely happiness, but bliss. Packed with dog wisdom, both poignant and funny, this charming and heartfelt book gives the listener much food for thought -- which might not be as tasty as a bowl of kibble but is nonetheless nourishing. Bliss to You!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Dean Koontz's beloved golden retriever, Trixie (who died in 2007), follows her two books of wisdom (2004's Life Is Good! and 2005's Christmas Is Good!) with this volume about finding happiness by emulating dogs. Her advice includes living in the now, enjoying each moment to the fullest; putting aside worries about things one can't control; loving unconditionally and striving to make others happy; and accepting loss. Teryn McKewin reads Trixie's words in a voice brimming with good humor and pure delight in life—perfect for a golden retriever–and just a slight guttural quality in the back of her throat, probably meant to convey that this voice can growl and bark as well. Her playful and optimistic tone perfectly matches Trixie's personality and message, and makes this a great choice both for dog lovers and those who enjoy uplifting and reassuring books like the Chicken Soup series. A Hyperion hardcover. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Trixie Koontz, a good dog, was trained by Canine Companions for Independence to assist people with disabilities. Released from service because of elbow surgery, she went to live with Dean and Gerda Koontz. The successful author of three books, Trixie would be proud to know that her royalties are donated to CCI to pay medical bills for other assistance dogs.

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio on MP3-CD Lib Ed; Library edition (September 16, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1423375092
• ISBN-13: 978-1423375098
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)

More About the Author

I was born and raised in Pennsylvania where I graduated from Shippensburg State College (now Shippensburg University). When I was a senior in college, I won an Atlantic Monthly fiction competition and have been writing ever since. My first job after graduation was with the Appalachian Poverty Program, where I was expected to counsel and tutor underprivileged children on a one-to-one basis. During my first day on the job, I discovered that the previous occupier of my position had been beaten up by the very kids he had been trying to help and had landed in the hospital for several weeks. The following year was filled with challenge but also tension, and I was more highly motivated than ever to build a career as a writer. I wrote nights and weekends, which I continued to do after leaving the poverty program and going to work as an English teacher in a suburban school district outside Harrisburg. After a year and a half in that position, my wife, Gerda, made me an offer I couldn't refuse: "I'll support you for five years," she said, "and if you can't make it as a writer in that time, you'll never make it." By the end of those five years, Gerda had quit her job to run the business end of my writing career. Gerda and I, along with our dog, Trixie, live in southern California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Can Change Your Life!, September 19, 2008

By 

K. A. Stevenson "WIAPilot" (Tucson) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bliss to You: Trixie's Guide to a Happy Life (Hardcover)

I am totally and completely a "Trixie Fan." I swear that if she had a Fan Club - I would want to be President of it. Or at least in charge of the membership drive! LOL

I believe that our pets do wait for us. And I feel sorry for the cynics that choose not to believe this. That said, I have never anticipated a book more than BLISS TO YOU. Frankly...it was worth the wait.

BLISS TO YOU is funny, sweet, informative and PROFOUND. It is the perfect gift to give every dog lover in your life. Also perfect for everyone whom you care about in your life who maybe is feeling depressed or doesn't seem to know what their purpose is in life.

I gave this book to my next-door neighbor who has experienced two very tragic losses recently with the sudden death of her son-in-law last year and 19-yr. old grandson a few months ago. She told me that the book "magically" opened to Step 7 about Loss. After reading it, she was so moved that she immediately called her daughter (the mother of her grandson) and READ this chapter to her. They were both comforted so much.

The novels by Dean Koontz reveal him to be an amazing author; Bliss to You proves that he is an amazing human being as well.

And remember! ALL of the proceeds from BLISS TO YOU go to support Trixie's favorite charity: Canine Companions for Independence! (CCI) This is SUCH a worthwhile organization and it helps so many individuals and soldiers who are incapacitated or in wheelchairs or deaf.

The book itself is beautiful and absolutely great for displaying on your coffee table. But what is INSIDE this book is even MORE beautiful: Lessons about life from our favorite TOTOS. (Trixie On The Other Side.)

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's All So Simple, September 18, 2008

By 

Wizard - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Bliss to You: Trixie's Guide to a Happy Life (Hardcover)

Buy this book. After you read it, you'll be able to throw away any self-help books you may have read in the past, because you won't need them any more.

Everything you need to know to make you happy - it's all in here. Happiness is simple when you have a dog explain it to you.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tears & Laughs, September 28, 2008

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VReviews (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Bliss to You: Trixie's Guide to a Happy Life (Hardcover)

Trixie Koontz's new book, "Bliss to You", is a testament to what happens when an author has a unique insight into human nature that can only come from living among them with a loving, yet realistic and accepting heart. In her third book (and the first pawed from the other side), Trixie outlines her eight steps for humans to find bliss in their lives (calm, beauty, fun, meaning, others, humility, loss, gratitude). The simplicity, yet poignant accuracy of her wisdoms hits home delivering a wild ride of tears and laughs all rolled into one tremendous book. You need only to look into the eyes of our dog friends, as we do with our own Golden, to know that Trixie's wisdom is truth for us all.

Thank you Trixie!