Pet Loss: A Spiritual Guide [Paperback]

Julia Harris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2002

Millions of American households include animal companions. The grief that follows the death of an animal companion has only recently become recognized and in mental health field. While it is absolutely normal and healthy to mourn a deceased pet, the grieving process can be crippling emotionally, mentally, and even physically.

This insightful and helpful book will help anyone:

Discover the many emotional reactions and responses to the loss of a pet.

Learn what happens at a pet cemetery burial, cremation, or home burial.

Find out arrangements that are legally available that your veterinarian may not tell you.

Follow the rituals provided or get ideas for developing your own ceremony to honor your pet.

Cope with the trauma of a terminally ill or runaway pet.

Assist your children in coping with and recovering from their loss.

Understand how different spiritual belief systems recognize and counsel pet loss.

Readers will learn the psychological facts about the human and animal bond and how to deal with the initial shock of their loss, as well as the anger, guilt, and sadness they may feel. Extremely practical, Pet Loss also offers the gift of understanding for those who may feel they are alone in their sorrow.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

My roommate laughed when he saw that I was reviewing this book, but after I pointed out how close he is to his cat, he looked at the book more seriously. Sometimes as "pet owners" we don't realize how close we are to our animal companions until we loose them, and even then we're afraid or ashamed to openly mourn and memorialize them. In Pet Loss, Eleanor Harris offers valuable advice on handling this feeling of awkwardness. Rather than repressing the emotions that surround a pet's death, Harris encourages her readers to express the pain they feel and the love they remember. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Julia Harris is a pet bereavement counselor, author, a board member of Recognition of Animal Rights, Orange County, New York, and a member of The Authors Guild.

Product Details

• Paperback: 219 pages
• Publisher: Lantern Books (October 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590560280
• ISBN-13: 978-1590560280
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,879,432 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have book for pet lovers & guardians, June 9, 2003

By 

Phil (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pet Loss: A Spiritual Guide (Paperback)

When my German Shepherd died I was given three books. This was one, and the best. I'm married man with two kids. The kids were devastated, as was my wife & I. This author writes from the heart. There is a special chapter on the difficult decision of euthansia, which we needed because Teg had cancer, and a chapter on how-to help children cope. What sets this book a part from the others is that there is no psycho-babble. No new age theatrics. The author writes from a generic spiritual angle that allows you to tap into your own spirituality, even if you feel that you have none. She presents how different world religions view pet loss and how they counsel their congregations. This is just a great book that should be on every pet lover's shelf. One word of caution - make sure you get the book by JULIA Harris. It was released 2003 by Lantern Books. There is an older book by the same title written by Eleanor Harris and it's different.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Coping Resource for Adults and Children!, January 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Pet Loss: A Spiritual Guide (Paperback)

Having lost my beloved dog, Sasha, I read three books on pet loss. This was the only book which truly comforted my children and myself. It offers spiritual viewpoints from global religions. Doesn't matter if your Christian, Buddhist, Native American, Jewish - the author offers wisdom taken from all paths. A beautiful book which guides you through helping children cope, the difficult decision of euthansia, terminally ill or injured pets - even stolen or runaway pets. I highly recommend this book. You won't be disappointed.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, touching, spiritual!, November 30, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Pet Loss: A Spiritual Guide (Paperback)

I found this book two days after my beloved Amanda kitty left this world. It is a fabulous reference for grief and letting go of the pain. The rituals and exercises are touching and have really helped me. I am so glad that there is a book like this to help me know that I am not alone in my deep love for my companion animals. I am so happy that this book speaks to my religious beliefs as well. I recommend this book to anyone, whatever their religious background, but particularly those who follow a neo-pagan path.