Rating: 
Summary: Very Good Book
Review: I recommend this book to anyone who needs help through the stages of grief. It is practical and insightful.
Rating: 
Summary: "Must" listening for all dedicated pet owners & companions.
Review: In Journey Through Pet Loss, Deborah Antinori address every aspect of losing a beloved family pet including coping with feelings, memorial tributes for animals, burial and cremation issues, grief phases and tasks, complicated mourning, associations to other losses, what to tell children, and other forms of pet loss such as lost pets and pets who must be given away. This two-cassette, three hour, audiobook production is technically flawless and will prove to be an invaluable and much appreciated addition to personal, school, and public library collections.
Rating:
Summary: Insightful, creative, and heartfelt.
Review: 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 Antinori 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.
Rating:
Summary: Ways To Work Through Your Grief
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Ways To Work Through Your Grief
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Sensitive help from one who has been there herself
Review: 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.
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