Customer Reviews

Dog Heaven

5 star:		(226)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If you've ever cried over the death of a pet, you need this book. Cynthia Rylant offers comfort for any grieving pet owner, no matter what his age.

"When dogs go to heaven, they don't need wings because God knows that dogs love running best." From that simple beginning, this book paints a picture of a place filled with canine joys. There are good-natured geese to bark at, angel children to play with, and dog biscuits to munch. Even strays have wonderful homes and lots of love in dog heaven.

It's been over twenty years since I lost my first and favorite dog, and I identified with this book as if the loss had been yesterday. I can't think of a better way to say farewell to a good and faithful friend than to share this book as a memorial.

I am middle-age, and recently lost my beloved companion of 12 years, a golden retriever mix. I look through this book at some point everyday - it lightens my heavy heart at such a difficult and sad time - it is a children's book, but I recommend it to anyone at any age who has lost a beloved pet - the drawings are precious - and it makes me feel good to look at the book and hope and believe and picture my kind and gentle spirit Maeve in 'dog heaven', whole, young and healthy again, running and playing in the beautiful sunshine, and I love to read the part where they come back to check on us and make sure that we are ok - or check out a favorite spot in their yard. Somehow this comforts me - and can even bring a smile to my face for a moment, replacing the many, many tears.

My husband and I recently lost our 14 1/2 year old Husky. She was our baby and we've been shattered. A dear friend gave this book to me and it has provided so much comfort. It may have been written with children in mind but it provides peace to all adults. This book helped us so much that I've ordered it for a friend of mine who just lost her dog. This will help anyone coping with the loss of a beloved canine family member.

Cynthia Rylant writes an amazing book that helps people of all ages with the loss of a beloved dog. I gave this book to my 78 year old grandmother who was having a difficult time dealing with the loss of 2 dogs in 3 months. She found parts of it comforting, especially the part about the dogs occasionally returning to their backyards to check-up on their owners. I have read this to children who have lost a dog, and given it to friends. Everyone feels that although it is difficult to read while grieving, something in the text refers to their dog alone. Cynthia Rylant wrote it with their dog in mind.

This book was recommended to me by a friend who's a dog trainer. She said I couldn't read it without having tears in my eyes. This is quite true. This and Ms. Rylant's CAT HEAVEN are wonderful books that we keep available on a "borrow" basis for clients with young children who have lost a beloved pet. All have thanked us for making these books available, and report that they have been helpful to children dealing with the loss in a way that allows them to feel that their pet is in a happy place, and maybe even still "watching over" its "family" . The text and illustrations are excellent for the ages of the children this book is intended for. Many of the parents state that it made them feel better just to read it to a child. My 8 year old daughter read it to my 6 year old son after two of our own elderly dogs passed on last summer. I highly recommend it for children under 10 and their families, for its upbeat, colorful approach to acknowledging the concept of a "doggy afterlife".

This book came highly recommended when my daughter was four years old and our beloved mutt Sam died.

The bright colors jump out at you and help fill the darkness left by the missing pet. They certainly helped ease the mind of my sad four year old.

It has since been looked at and loaned out over and over again. I think it is a timeless book on a tough subject.

What a comforting book for anyone who has lost a special dog in their life. My wife and I have given this book to adults and children, and always, those who receive it are grateful, even in the midst of their tears. This book is a powerfully simple statement of faith and hope that is meaningful to people of all ages.

This book is such a wonderful way to help anyone who has lost a dog, especially children. I teach preschool and one of my student's lost his dog. I gave him this book as well as I'll Always Love You. His parents said the books really helped, and it really helped our entire class learn about the passing of a beloved family member. It's hard for children to understand death anyway, but when it's someone like a dog or cat who just loves so unconditionally, books like this one really help to alieviate any fear that the pet is in pain, or that pet might forget us! I HIGHLY recommend this book!

Eventhough this book is geared for children, it really is for adults, too. A friend of ours gave us this book when we lost our 12 year old golden retriever daughter, Chelsea, to cancer. It was a very hard time for my husband and me. I hated going home after running daily errands because the house was so quiet and empty. It was hard emotionally, our hearts were broken. I new I wanted another golden girl but how long should we wait to honor Chelsea's memory? She was our perfect lady! If Chelsea can look down and see us, I didn't want her to think she was easily replaceable. She was one of a kind and will never be replaced in our hearts!

Amazingly, after reading this book, I felt better! I sobbed all the way through the book but somehow, for the first time, it was OK to want another golden girl. It took the guilt away.

I can't recommend this book highly enough for those who have lost a loved four legged member of the family. Sometimes things put simply for children, help adults even more! I now give this book as a gift to my friends who lose these loved members of the family. If you or someone you know is grieving, this book should help.

I have given this book to several friends (adults) who have recently lost their canine friends and all have said what a sense of peace it gave them. It leaves the reader with happy images of their beloved pet in "Dog Heaven" and helps dispell some of the great sadness connected with the death of a pet. Though it is a children's book, I highly recommend it for dog lovers of all ages.