Customer Reviews

Humphrey Was Here: A Dog Owner's Story of Love, Loss, and Letting Go

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

 

 

I also own Mark Asher's Book "Old Friends" (wonderful) and was excited to read his memoir about the love and loss of his beloved dog Humphrey. Mark's story resonated with me in particular after the loss of my own dog, and I feel that dog owners everywhere can relate to the highs and lows Mark experienced as he progressed through the grief process. Honest and unsentimental, Mark deftly weaves the unfolding events of his own life with Humphrey's, demonstrating how intertwined our lives become with those of our canine friends. Mark evolved his grief into an opportunity to serve at Best Friends animal sanctuary and other shelters, a decision both inspiring and poignant. I appreciate how Mark doesn't "tell" readers how to feel about his experiences: rather he shares his story simply and honestly, allowing readers to complete the picture themselves. Thanks, Mark, for another wonderful contribution!

The author, Mark Asher takes you to a place where he shares through his own personal experience the loss of his beloved companion, Humphrey. His poignant story of his emotional roller coaster of overcoming guilt, grief, acceptance and learning to let go and love again is moving. For me the book brought back memories when confronted with having to let a family pet go and the emotions one goes through. Mark Asher does a wonderful job of telling his story and how he dealt with his grief by learning to give of himself to homeless animals and thereby overcoming his sadness. I highly recommend this book. The book would be an excellent gift to anyone who has recently lost a family pet.

The sound of Mark Asher''s voice through his words is irresistible. Though I am writing a review of Humphrey Was Here, I have to say that I fell in love with Mark's words in his first book, Old Friends - which celebrates the spirit and wisdom of the older dog, and captures so exquisitely, in words and photographs, what is good and delicious about a long-tem companion. It is a reminder to all of the importance of recognizing and celebrating what our old friends become -- in their own right and for us.

And so it is, that with my appreciation of Mark's ways, that I eagerly got my hands on his latest book about his beloved Humphrey. Ironically it comes out just as I am morning the loss of my own sweet father, which broke my heart into a million pieces. Loss is loss. As usual, Mark is charming and through his pain he delivers perspective and hope that goes directly to the soul.

You don't have to be sad or even a dog owner (I am not) to resonate with Mark's view of the world and the place that animals hold in it. He presents of world of people and animals sharing the planet that is compelling. It's personal. It has depth and meaning. These books have a kind of magic. They get a hold of your heart and don't let go.

Don't miss the opportunity to meet Mark through his canine friends or to invite yourself into his private world of joy and pain in his life with Humphrey. He makes you want to love those who are with you -more and better. But watch out- you might want to get a dog!

Having purchased several copies of Asher's beautiful photographic books for gifts, I was interested to hear his voice as an author. Reading this book was like enjoying a long letter from a dear friend. The writing is straight from the heart, and I couldn't put it down as I accompanied the author through his emotional journey. My husband and I are the companions/housemates/caregivers to two amazing canines and I deeply understand the connection Mark Asher speaks of, although you don't have to be a 'dog person' to enjoy the book. It is a sensitive narrative of what we all must face at some point in our lives, and one man's process in dealing with and moving through the loss of a dear friend. If you have no interest in reading this book, buy it anyway and give it to a friend in support of Mark Asher's work. He is a gem.

THIS IS A VERY TOUCHING WELL WRITTEN BOOK...IT IS SO HARD FOR ME WHEN A PRECIOUS PET PASSES AWAY...THE BOND I SHARE WITH ANIMALS IS NONE LIKE NO OTHER, IT IS BEYOND HEAVEN...I AM SO GLAD I READ MARK'S BOOK, BECAUSE IT GAVE ME COMFORT IN MY SORROW...I CAN NEVER LET GO, BUT IT'S GOOD TO KNOW OTHERS OUT THERE SHARE AND UNDERSTAND THIS HEARTBREAK IN SUCH A HEARTFELT MANNER...THE BOOK IS EXCELLENT AND LIKE HIS OTHERS SUCH AS "OLD FRIENDS", I HIGHLY RECCOMMEND THIS AUTHOR'S WORK...JULIE PISANI

I was captivated by the beautiful descriptive words that Asher used to help us feel the breezes and see the western mountains. like Asher, I too have lost that perfect dog. As a matter of fact, I have lost several dogs that at the time seemed to be the perfect dog in my lifetime. I am still mourning the loss of the best, fastest, never say quit ball-catching smooth fox terrier ever lived in my opinion. Life does go on. Time does make things better, but I still get tears in my eyes and an ache in my heart when I see her sunbeam empty on the dining room floor or when I see a blue raquette ball in the toy basket that our chubby little Chihuahua won't even smell. It never goes away, it just doesn't hurt all the time anymore.