Synopsis:
Written in the form of a letter from the dog to the boy, the letter shares relatable, real life examples of how the boy (and therefore anybody who has lost a dear pet) may be feeling and suggestions on what he can do to help himself get through this most difficult time. The letter also touches on simple acts of kindness that can follow the reader throughout his or her lifetime. The message in this story is applicable to young and old, girl or boy, and to any family pet that has stolen your heart
My review:
For anyone that has ever lost a pet, this book is a sweet story. It is meant for children but I think adults could read it and still gain the strength of it. As the synopsis says, it is written as a letter from the boy's beloved dog that has obviously just passed away. The dog helps the boy through his grief and beyond.
The author gave good advice in how to maybe honor the beloved pet by planting trees or flowers or donating the pet's items to the humane society. These were really great ideas and spoke to the author's years as a grief counselor for lost pets.
I had only two issues with this book. The first is in the middle of the book the story went off into a direction of what it looked like in doggie (animal) "heaven". This was meant to let the reader know that all the animals 'there" are getting along and enjoying their time 'there." I understood what the author was trying to do but, I felt like that might give a false illusion to children as we really have no idea what that might look like. Up until that point, the book seemed more nonfiction. I felt like this section could have been left out and still made the book fantastic.
My second issue was I would have liked to have seen this book more multicultural and girls put into the story or at very least make a girl version. Maybe it could have been a brother/sister that lost the pet. I think it would make the book more rounded.
In spite of those two issues, I really did love this book and think it would be a great resource for children who are grieving the loss of a pet. I loved that there are pages in the back where a child could write to and draw about their beloved pet. A resource in the back is about a dog constellation that can be seen in the sky. That was a neat addition as well.
I would have given this book 5 stars if it had not been for the two items above. None-the-less, I am still giving it 4 1/2 stars.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author. The views here are !00% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle
Where to find the author:
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Leigh Ann Gerk MA, LPC has been in the counseling field for over eleven years. She is certified in Pet Loss & Grief Companioning and the founder and owner of Mourning to Light Pet Loss providing individual and family counseling for anyone grieving the loss of a pet. She currently offers 3 free pet loss support groups in Northern Colorado and is excited to branch out and offer more. Having grown up on a farm, Leigh Ann's childhood playmates included baby calves, horses, bunnies, dogs, and 32 cats that set up house in a boxcar that also served as her playhouse. This upbringing introduced her, at a very young age, to the human-animal bond and instilled in her a deep understanding of, and love for, this extraordinary relationship. Leigh Ann and her husband, Andy, live in Loveland, Colorado, and are the proud parents of identical twin daughters, Heather and Heidi. Their family is made complete by their first grandchild and their cherished therapy dog, Gracie.
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1 comment:
Thank you so much Michelle aka Naila Moon for joining my book tour and for your heartfelt feedback.
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