Customer Reviews

Heaven

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When my companion dog of 13 years died, my mother sent this book from England. Nicholas Allan's charming pictures and gentle story help ease the pain of losing a beloved pet.

Allan doesn't make death fun, or scary or even mysterious. One morning Lily find Dill packing to leave, and from the get-go it's clear she can't go along. But as with real death, the finality of parting is coupled with the hope that the loved one will somehow still be there, watching, caring and ultimately - waiting.

As Dill prepares his suitcase, Lily hears what he thinks Heaven will be like. And when she finally finds a new friend, she remembers Dill's words and puts them into practice.

This is a wonderful little book. One that still brings comfort and sweet memories, helps soothe the dull ache of loss and reinforces the belief that lessons learned lead to a better life.

Many years ago I found the hardcover edition of this book in a supermarket and fell in love with it on the spot. I don't even have a dog, but the story is so cleverly written that you appreciate it for dealing with a delicate matter in such a simple, human way. So many emotions are dealt with in such a short span. It takes you through the grieving process and leaves you smiling. I bought it to add to my book collection, but then found myself giving it to a friend shortly after as a gift to help her and her family cope with the loss of their pet. Recently, I found myself in search of the book again for another friend who is grieving over the loss of their beloved pet. I only found the paperback version but I'm glad that it's still in print. Although I fell in love with the hardcover edition first, I have come to appreciate the paperback version more because of the difference in the page size, the illustrations and the cover image. I even bought a used hardcover edition to compare it with the new paperback edition. The new paperback edition has a greater impact due to the different layout. Not just for kids, this book will make a great gift item for those in mourning. The two families I gave the book to said that they loved it and it did help them to cope with their loss and with their grieving. I would also recommend that any pet stores and Veterinary offices keep this book handy to help with those who are or about to experience the loss of a pet. Or, buy it just to add to your book collection just because it's good.

I first read this book not too long after my elementary school principal died. I figured that the book was about death because of many of the details. And I was right!