Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul: Stories About Pets as Teachers, Healers, Heroes and Friends (Chicken Soup for the Soul) (Paperback)

by Marty Becker (Author), Carol Kline (Author), Mary Marcdante (Author) "YOU LIKE ME, DON'T YOU, FARLEY..." (more)
Key Phrases: little lost dog, pet lover, Patsy Ann, New York, Fort Wayne (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Animals bring out the goodness, humanity and optimism in people and speak directly to our souls. This joyous, inspiring and entertaining Chicken Soup collection relates the unique bonds between animals and the people whose lives they've changed. Such as the dolphins who helped a paralyzed woman heal when doctors offered little hope; the dog who brought life into a failing marriage; the kitten who helped a mother mourn; and the flying squirrel who taught a man the power of laughter.

Packed with celebrity pet-lore, Chicken Soup for the Soul relates the unconditional love, loyalty, courage and companionship that only animals possess. Just like our furry, feathered and four-legged friends, this enchanting book will bring a smile to any pet lover's face ... and it's housebroken!

About the Author
Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, the #1 New York Times Bestselling authors

Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, the #1 New York Times Bestselling authors

Marty Becker, D.V.M., is the author of Becoming Your Dog's Best Friend: How to Earn Your Dog's Love, the practice leadership editor for Veterinary Economics magazine and a featured columnist for Pet Life magazine. Becker is a keynote speaker at veterinary conferences worldwide and a lecturer at veterinary schools across North America.

Carol Kline is co-director of Noah's Ark Foundation, a no-kill animal rescue facility, where she helps care for and find homes for abandoned and injured animals.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: HCI; Presumed 1st Edition edition (April 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439780403
• ISBN-13: 978-1558745711
• ASIN: 1558745718
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (91 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #193,321 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #61 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Ecology > Animal Rights
  #85 in	Books > Home & Garden > Animal Care & Pets > Essays

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warm and fuzzy, December 13, 2003

By	FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)

Most of the series of 'Chicken Soup for the Soul' has the kind of warm and fuzzy story that many find endearing and sweet. They are not 'deep' most of the time, but do point to things beyond themselves; for my own use, I often find sermon illustrations and stories within the pages of volumes of Chicken Soup -- as chaplain at a retirement centre, many of the stories help people to recall happier times, and help them deal with their present situation.

This particular volume involves stories with animals. The relationship between animals and people of all ages can make for some of the funniest, most heart-warming, most sad, and most meaningful stories. There are contributing authors of some note (Barbara Bush, James Herriot, Jimmy Stewart, Gilda Radner, Art Linkletter) among other authors who had stories to tell and volunteered them. Much in the manner that Readers Digest accepts unsolicited stories from amateur authors, so does the Chicken Soup series. Often the most meaningful stories are those that happen to people who are not professional writers.

Few animals are left out here, as many animals have come to be companions with humans over the centuries. Dogs and cats feature prominently, as do horses and other farm animals, but there are also wolves, birds, dolphins, deer, wild turkeys, gorillas and even a Christmas mouse. The stories cover a wide range of topics, including pets as friends and healers, animals as rescuers and performers of other amazing feats, animals whose companionship meant a lot, and finally on the sadness and meaning of saying goodbye to an important family member.

Each of this stories can easily be read in a short time. This makes it a good source for 'falling-asleep reading', for use in public speaking and preaching opportunites, for shared reading-aloud times, and for simple enjoyment and entertainment. Many of the stories here are ones that stay with you; the story about the wild turkeys and the story of the Christmas mouse are stories I use again and again in my chaplaincy, and they are always appreciated.

The editors of the primary series 'Chicken Soup' are Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen; for purposes of this volume, they are joined by Marty Becker and Carol Kline, authors and animal-professionals in various capacities.

My cats give their paws-up to this!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Illustrates the remarkable bond between humans and pets..., June 21, 2000

By	Elana (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul (Chicken Soup for the Soul) (Hardcover)

Being a true pet lover, I found this book to be absolutely magnificent. The heartwarming collection of stories exemplify the loyalty and love of animals. In this book, you'll read touching stories about how our healers, teachers, friends, and heroes are often our pets! After reading these real-life tales, I began to realize how much my own pet (a Quarter Horse mare) meant to me. I guarantee that after reading "Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul," you will begin to see your furry friends in a whole new light. I highly recommend this astounding book to any pet lover!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How can you not give this 5 stars?, February 4, 2000

By	"rjgrib" (Deltona, FL United States) - See all my reviews

Anyone who truly loves their pet will be deeply moved and touched by these stories. There is inspiration, joy, love, and sadness in these pages, but they all reflect the wonders of our pets and how fortunate we are to have them. Some people don't understand how and why I treat my pets so lovingly and consider them my family. The biker cliche is appropriate here; "If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand." Also, my own personal philosophy applies; "I never met anything on four legs I didn't like. I can't say the same for two legs."