Journey Through Pet Loss - Revised Edition 2000 [Audio Cassette]

MA Deborah Antinori (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2000

56 million US households have pets whom they consider to be a member of the family.This award-winning audiobook is a soulful outreach to pet owners who lose an animal companion through death or other circumstances.In an artful balance between helpful suggestions from her professional experience as a therapist and her personal experiences as a pet owner, Deborah covers coping with feelings, memorial tributes, the value of reminiscence, illness & death of a pet, grief phases, associations to other losses, what to tell children, issues for senior citizens and more.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

While some people recover relatively quickly from the death of a pet, many suffer intensely and often need assistance in coping. A drama therapist and hypnotherapist, Antinori's aim is to help those who go through a variety of possible phases and validate their feelings. After trying to explain why the loss hurts so much, she deals with the power of memories, tributes, euthanasia, burial, cremation, and phases of the grieving process. Her relatively thorough exploration of this topic includes discussion of the meaning of relationships with pets. The pet as an extended parent to the owner will likely seem extreme to many. Her voice, which is clear and lovely, occasionally seems condescending and tinged with forced empathy. Her tendency to talk so much about her own experiences makes the tapes seem based far more in catharsis for herself than she admits. A major flaw comes in the telling of her acquisition of Yoko from a pet store. When her veterinarian tells her that the animal is an unhealthy, defective puppy, she ignores his advice. Glorying in her purchase of this sick pet tends to make her seem less than credible. A small, helpful, but not all-inclusive booklet of various services and counseling resources is included. Only libraries that lack material in this area should consider.ACarolyn Alexander, Brigadoon Lib., Salinas, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Audio Cassette edition.

Review

" All of us are going to lose an animal close to our hearts, and at those times I urge you to listen to Journey Through Pet Loss. It wont replace your animal, but it will validate your feelings of having lost a family member." -- Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, Author When Elephants Weep and Dogs Never Lie About Love

"Journey Through Pet Loss is an insightful, creative, and heartfelt odyssey through the loss of a beloved companion animal. As an experienced drama therapist, Deborah understands the importance of using creativity and imagery to help move grief from the intellectual realm, to the emotional one. Anyone suffering from the loss of a special friend should experience Deborah's unique approach to healing. She provides valuable ideas in a way that feels very personal and meaningful." -- Dana Durrance, MA, Assistant Director Changes: The Support For People and Pets Program CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital

"Highly practical information with numerous options for homework which fit all personality types. Information given form the heart, from someone who has experienced the depth of pet loss herself. Deborah utilizes sound psychological principles in her work. Excellent referrals to additional resources. Everyone will find something they can use from this tape set and booklet." -- Ann Howie, ACSW Animal Assisted Therapy Service Manager Delta Society - Seattle, WA

"Journey Through Pet Loss is a two cassette collection in a lovely gift jacket, the work of Deborah Antinori. Don't tell anyone with a pet that those aren't special bonds. My dog is having a very minor procedure tomorrow and I am a nervous wreck. Pets are special relationships that often enable us to touch feelings (and the expression of those feelings) in ways that no person could possibly approach.

The recording is a collection of text/information, poetry and other contributions moved along with carefully selected transitional music. A wide range of subjects is covered, carefully organized so that listeners can skip around as their journey requires. Included is a helpful booklet with details on the contributions, an outline of the content and some resource information. This collection may be about pet loss, but it will be a gift that will open the door to deeper issues." -- The Rev. Fr. Richard B. Gilbert, Executive Director The World Pastoral Care Center, Valparaiso, IN

"This tape series is just wonderfula soothing balm, a healing compress during times of great loss. And for anyone who has ever loved an animal, we know that their leave-taking is a loss beyond compare. So many memories came to my mind as I traveled through Journey Through Pet Loss moments of joy and intimacy between me and my long-gone animal partners. The reverie was pure and nourishing andlike Deborahs programflowed gently and lovingly to heal many of the grief wounds I didnt even realize I was still carrying. If you have lost your animal companion and wonder how your heart could ever mend, please, take this loving and unique Journey Through Pet Loss." -- Susan Chernak McElroy, Author Animals as Teacher and Healers

The sudden shock of pet loss is a frequent problem for veterinarians. Getting owners to deal with their deep feelings of grief can often be difficult, and I'm glad, as a veterinarian that I now have a thorough resource that helps pet owners to deal with their grief, without stigma, at their own pace and in the privacy of their own homes. -- Hanan Caine, VMD --This text refers to an alternate Audio Cassette edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Relax...Intuit; Revised edition (June 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966884817
• ISBN-13: 978-0966884814
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,517,568 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sensitive help from one who has been there herself, June 21, 2001

By 

Carol Watkins "Psychiatrist" (Parkton, Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Journey Through Pet Loss - Revised Edition 2000 (Audio Cassette)

The author uses moving vignettes from the death of her own pet to help others review their own feelings of grief. After each topic, she encourages the listener to turn off the tape and reflect on his or her own memories and feelings.

She discusses pet memorials, stages of grief, euthanasia and hospice options. She emphasizes that each person has his or her own unique feelings. Different individuals might make different, equally valid choices for the beloved pet.

I liked the sections on complicated grief. Pet loss can often reactivate deeper feelings about past losses. The pet's death may be a chance to work through other life experiences.

Many of her general suggestions for dealing with pet loss could be useful for the entire family.

The section on children's reactions to pet loss could have been stronger. I had a sense that the author was more comfortable dealing with adults and their animals. However, she did bolster her section on children with quotes from other authors and gave useful references.

Carol E. Watkins, M.D.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pet Loss, August 28, 2006

By 

Bennet Pomerantz "Bennet Pomerantz, AUDIOWORLD" (College Park, Maryland) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Journey Through Pet Loss - Revised Edition 2000 (Audio Cassette)

Journey Through Pet Loss...takes us in the steps of grieving for a loved family pet. Deborah's audio also seems more personal to the listener. It touches you--because she understands the loss."

Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ways To Work Through Your Grief, April 24, 2002

By 

Bruce Boatner (Eagle, Idaho USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Journey Through Pet Loss - Revised Edition 2000 (Audio Cassette)

Sometimes losing a dear animal friend can seem more overwhelming than the loss of a human in our lives. This is one of the many things that complicate the grieving process. The author explains that there are many bounds set by society and our own inner voice that attempt to dictate how long and how much we should mourn a beloved companion's passing. She explains why the loss of an animal can be a much more raw experience than the loss of a family member, friend or relative because of the mixed feelings and complicated relationships that we have with other humans. That simple, loving animal spirit that was so close to you is suddenly gone. There is no buffering element, no memories of a heated exchange that soured your relationship - nothing to blunt the pain. This can bring feelings of confusion and guilt, or painful memories of the loss of a child or spouse, and many other emotions. The author does an excellent job of explaining the reasons for these feelings, and suggests many different ways of working through them. She explains the phases of the grieving process and where to find help if serious emotional states are triggered. She also explains that we frequently project a part of our own psyche onto our pets, which can unleash unexpected effects on their passing.

Despite the fact that I might have made this sound rather technical, it is not. The author puts forth a very gentle and concerned effort to do what the title implies - help you through the journey of pet loss.