Jeannie H. (ilovebooksanddogs) -
Helpful Score: 3
This was a hard book for me to read and I had to put it aside for over a week after reading the part where they lost all their pets in a fire. The author poured all his grief into this book (grief I myself have felt) but not on a scale such as his. To lose 5 beloved pets at one time is heart-wrenching but to read how they handled their grief, how they handled people who just "didn't get it" re-enforced for me that there are others who do understand. When we open up our hearts to an animal we also open up the knowledge that the day will come when we must say goodbye. A very sad read but one I don't regret reading.
Eva Marie L. (babyjulie) -
Helpful Score: 1
I'm ending up impressed with this book and David Congalton. I wasn't planning on reading this right now, I thought it was still too raw for me, but it called to me and I picked it up. It's on the top three list for the saddest books I've ever read. I read a lot of sad books so that says something. Even through all the sadness the love this couple, David and his wife Charlotte, have for their animals is undeniable.
I think he's working, and working hard, to make grieving for a pet more acceptable. Many people out there who don't have pets or who don't see their pets as some of us others do, don't understand why it takes, weeks, months, years, and sometimes lifetimes to grieve but it is what it is. And that's it.
I put this down like it was on fire a few times. You know, when you feel that first burn when the tears start to come. I would have thrown it had it been another book but even while I wanted it away from me for the tim being I couldn't actually toss it aside.
The cover is made with pictures of his animals, the ones he lost. I knew each one by the very beginning of the book and could picture everything.
I'll be the first to admit though- this is NOT for everyone. My Mom is a pet lover to the fullest...but she's also very emotional about certain things. This wouldn't be the book for her. Maybe there is help inside but it's still not for her. It would hurt her more than help and I know that. That doesn't mean she loves her pets or animals in general more than I do and it doesn't mean I love them more. We're just different.
This is the kind of book people have to trust their judgement on. I'm happy I read it and I can't part with it, at least not right now. That says something also as I hardly ever keep a book anymore.
(Jeannie- I know why you wanted to keep your copy now! :)
I think he's working, and working hard, to make grieving for a pet more acceptable. Many people out there who don't have pets or who don't see their pets as some of us others do, don't understand why it takes, weeks, months, years, and sometimes lifetimes to grieve but it is what it is. And that's it.
I put this down like it was on fire a few times. You know, when you feel that first burn when the tears start to come. I would have thrown it had it been another book but even while I wanted it away from me for the tim being I couldn't actually toss it aside.
The cover is made with pictures of his animals, the ones he lost. I knew each one by the very beginning of the book and could picture everything.
I'll be the first to admit though- this is NOT for everyone. My Mom is a pet lover to the fullest...but she's also very emotional about certain things. This wouldn't be the book for her. Maybe there is help inside but it's still not for her. It would hurt her more than help and I know that. That doesn't mean she loves her pets or animals in general more than I do and it doesn't mean I love them more. We're just different.
This is the kind of book people have to trust their judgement on. I'm happy I read it and I can't part with it, at least not right now. That says something also as I hardly ever keep a book anymore.
(Jeannie- I know why you wanted to keep your copy now! :)
