Customer Reviews

Grieving the Death of a Pet

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

 

 

My nine-year-old Great Dane just died, and I am devastated. My sister sent me this book because she said that she knew the author and she thought it might help me cope with the loss of my lovely girl.

I am about halfway through this book, and it is actually making me feel worse. The reason that it is making me feel worse is that included in this book are stories where the pet owners -- out of their sheer stupidity, ignorance, and irresponsibility -- actually caused the death of the pets that they should have been protecting.

One pet owner caused their German Shepherd to get heat stroke. Another couple put their friendly Rottweiler to sleep because he had bitten other dogs, and they were afraid he would bite a child. There are numerous other alternatives to euthanasia in circumstances such as those. Even the author caused the death of her first dog by actually pulling her dog overboard into a fast-moving river and then let go of him, causing him to drown. The author never should have jumped in the river herself let alone pull her dog in.

I just can't finish this book because I can't read any more stories where pet owners caused the death of their pets. I am very sensitive in that regard, and I think other animal lovers are the same way. I would never put any of my pets in harm's way like the author did. I know accidents do happen, but many of these people could have and should have been better informed and made better decisions concerning the safety of their pets. Many of these people set the stage for an accident by making a series of bad decisions. This just angers me at a time when I already feel sad.

Furthermore, this book has not told me anything that I did not know already. The author spends a great deal of time letting the reader know that it is okay to grieve over the loss of a pet. It wouldn't have even occurred to me that it wasn't all right to grieve the loss of a pet. You would have to be heartless not to do so.

If you are grieving the loss of a pet, seek comfort in your friends and family and find a different book to comfort you.

I have been grieving for almost two years over the death of Ming, my cat, my child. This book has done more for me than all of the other books I've read, the articles, the hot line calls, the pet loss groups, the counseling, and every other attempt to deal with my grief. All of the other sources are important, but this book answered the tormenting question: "Why do I feel this way ?". Betty Carmack put it into words like noone else ever has. There was only one thing to do when I finished this book.......begin it and read it again.

This book as touched me like no other ever has. The personal stories were real not text book examples. They authentically showed what it is truly like to love and lose that animal. The spiritual base of the book is woven throughout the manuscript in a way that everyone can relate.
This book has made me think about the impending death of one of my dogs along with the loss of my childhood dog. It was a way to look back and realize that the feelings that I have had all these years were real and were "ok"
I think one of the main themes of this book is that it's "ok" to feel what you are feeling. It's not just a dog, it's part of your family and greiving is natural and expected part of healing.
Betty Carmack also tells us that it's ok to move on. That we will know when the time is right to get the next pet.
I also liked how it didn't just focus on dogs or cats, there were people who were greiving the loss of their beloved bird.
This is a must read for anyone who has a pet or who has lost a pet. I will recommend this book to everyone I know.

I have just finished reading this book any can't say enough positive things about it. Ms. Carmack's book is not a "quick fix" to help someone through the grief process of loosing a pet. It is however, a book for anyone who has a pet, anticipates the loss of their pet or who is currently going through the grief process. Ms. Carmack candidly talks about her own personal emotions concerning the pets she has lost as well as stories of others and their pets who range from cats, parrots, horses, dogs. This is an "easy read" that will capture your attention from the start. You won't want to put it down.

The loss of our beloved animal companions is like no other loss. How do we say goodbye to our best friends and cope with the pain and overwhelming grief? Betty Carmack's book truly captures the experience of pet loss and honors the sacred connection we have with our animal companions.

This book is a touching and insightful look at how people grieve when their beloved pet passes on. Many overlook how pets have helped people get through tough times, and given unconditional love to their owners. I've seen dogs that help heal (in the sense that they give lots of attention and love) people with acute and/or chronic illnesses.

By the same token, many people grieve over the loss of their pets, particularly those who have been in the family household for over five years. Why else would children want to place their animals' remains in a special place in the backyard? Ms. Carmack not only shares people's heartfelt stories, but also gives good insight on just what is needed to get through those tough times. I gave this book to one friend who had lost a cat that he owned for twelve years, and he said that reading it really made a difference to him on that struggle.

To complain that this book doesn't fit a certain person's view on Christianity doesn't do the book justice. Just because pets aren't mentioned in Scripture doesn't mean they aren't important to people and healing. And to discount pets as instruments of God is very sad and lacking insight.

Thankfully, this book doesn't recommend spending thousands of dollars in pet cemeteries. BUT, that's up to the owner and none of other people's business, no?

I bought this book at the advice of a friend who had met the author. It is a wonderful, heartfelt book; however, I was expecting more advice on how to deal with the loss. Most of the book seems to be geared towards validating the loss. By the time I got to the middle of the book I was sobbing so hard my husband made me stop reading it. Not recommended for anyone whose loss is new and raw unless you need to have a good cry.

I have been waiting for Betty Carmack's book all of my life. My feelings have never before been so validated. Throughout childhood, I have had numerous little creatures: hamsters, birds, dogs, turtles, and mice. Now after 45 years, I can finally grieve the loss of those precious creatures without anyone calling me foolish or overly sentimental. No one will ever again tell me that "little boy's don't cry." Little boys cry--right along with the rest of humanity--at the loss of one of these precious companions.

Betty Carmack's decision to let the "experts" be those who have actually grieved the loss of a pet gives her book more validity than if she had quoted from a thousand researchers. We hear the stories of these people and their companion animals through all the stages of grief. Pets are not just "nice things to have a around." They are the truest and most steadfast listeners to all of life's pains and joys. When they die, they leave a hole in our hearts. For some people, their cats or dogs or lizards are their closest companions. Such companions are never too tired to listen. No matter what we look like, whether bathed or not, shaven or not, they hear all that we are and hope to be, uncluttered by "unfinished business" in human relationships. True, they cannot take the place of another human being. Likewise, no human can ever offer the degree of unconditional love that animals, fish, and birds can.

"Grieving the Death of a Pet" is a triumph. It is a gift, given by an expert who was humble enough to let the very people she comforts be our comforters, the very people who know best what we feel and why. How can I thank someone for giving me back my feelings and childhood memories? Thank you, Betty Carmack. Thank you for the gift of your book and the gift of you.

An excellent book to help with the grieving process. Wonderful real life examples of others who have experienced the same overwhelming pain and how they were able to deal with their loss. I would recommend this book for anyone who has lost a pet and is experiencing on-going depression.

FOr the reviewer who does not beleive animals go to heaven. Well why not? Didnt God create animals as well? Why would He discriminate against the most innocent creatures on earth by not letting them into heaven. I just lost my cat whom I considered to be my child and I dearly hope that when I get to heaven that she is waiting there for me. It just shows how egotisitcal human beings can be. I hope others that lose a beloved pet do not share this persons view and look forward to reuniting with their special pet one day.