<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Not What I Was Needing
Review: After the death of our beloved dog-child Ruffy, this was the only book on pet grief I could find at my bookstore. My heart was, and still is,bleeding and I took it home and devoured it in a matter of days. It is written more to those who counsel the grieving in my opinion and did not minister to my pain. It is too technical and black and white. I felt it left out heartfelt emotion and soul. I am still searching for a book to touch my heart.
Rating: 
Summary: Extremely helpful at a very emotional and vulnerable time!
Review: As an RN, MA, I was devastated at the loss of my beloved pet.Dr. Sife's book helped me enormously to understand the grief processas it relates to pet loss. It is written in a compassionate and very knowledgeable way. If you only can buy one book on pet bereavement, this is it. And if you have lost a pet, or know someone who has, this book will help you. I also highly recommend that you visit the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement website, which organization Dr. Sife is President of. Grief over the loss of a pet is a normal response, and Dr. Sife makes this very clear. END
Rating: 
Summary: Very clinical
Review: I have to admit that this is one of the better books out there on pet loss however it is very clinical. When you're in a bunch of pain that clinical tone is a bit too impersonal and doesn't convey a whole lot of empathy. In fact the book contains several examples of case studies of pet owners who were too attached to their pets and needed counseling. The part that was the most helpful to me was the suggestions on what to do to feel better, there's a list offered towards the end of the book. One suggestion was writing down remote memories that seem to surge in the days immediately after the death of your pet. The chapter on feeling angry was a good kick in the pants. It's a good book but it has more of a tough love approach. I didn't feel a whole lot of comfort reading it but it did have some solid suggestions that helped. It's kind of practical. It is very informational talks about a lot of issues and practical stuff like pet cemetaries, counseling, etc. Author does have a few soap boxes.
Rating:
Summary: A huge help
Review: I just lost my dog two weeks ago. He was 16 years old. I'm heartbroken. I started reading this book a few days ago and it immediately began to help me. It's so hard to deal with the loss of a pet because so many people do not understand. This book lets you know that everything you're feeling is normal and Dr. Sife really and truly does understand. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who just lost their pet.
Rating:
Summary: Nothing less than essential
Review: No one should experience the loss of a pet without this book to guide and comfort them throughout the grieving process. Dr Sife speaks to the mourning pet lover with a gentle, conversational tone that reads easily and does much to heal the soul.I was disconsolate after the loss of my Great Dane and this book helped me understand what I was feeling and why. If you love someone who has lost a pet, get them this book. I am donating several copies to my vets office in the name of my dog.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Source of Help
Review: There are many books on what I term "grief relief", which take the reader through the many stages or phases of grief. I have never reviewed any that were not good, but Wallace's book is a very good book that I can recommend. Having talked with Wallace on several occasions years ago on his philosophy of healing, I can attest to the fact that he cares about people and that his work reflects that. You have only to read the reviews of those who needed his help to see they received it. This book is a good source of help.
Rating: 
Summary: Definitely not what I needed, either...
Review: This guy is so cold, clinical and at times even takes on a judgmental tone; I couldn't even finish the book. I just lost my beloved pit bull mix to osteosarcoma and after reading in this book for the third time the implication that people who get too emotionally attached to their pets are somehow less than mentally healthy, it was just too much to take. I happen to love my pets. More than a lot of humans I know. Pets don't judge, they are always there for you and never let you down. So I'm crazy because of this? Or less than what the author deems 'normal'?? That's a ridiculous assumption. Don't buy the book, unless you're a cold fish and only want the clinical, judgmental side...a far superior book for the grief-stricken is "Goodbye, friend" by Gary Kowalski.
Rating:
Summary: Getting Help with the Grief
Review: Three weeks ago, we lost our 8-year old Boxer, Taylor, to Lymphosarcoma. We took her to the very best Oncologists(several of them), spent thousands of dollars in trying to keep her with us for as long as possible, but in the end we knew it was time for us to let go. Not having children, the pain of losing such a loving animal was beyond my expectation of grief. When I researched the list of books on pet loss, I was looking for facts on how to deal with this agony and pain. Dr. Sife's introduction and chapters on this subject matter was a validation that what me and my husband were feeling and going through were normal. Dr. Sife's case histories throughout the book were very helpful in applying what other people have experienced and what we were going through. For anyone who has recently lost a pet and is looking for some insight on the feelings they are experiencing, I highly recommend this book. He is very factual. If you are looking for a spiritual or religious aspect, this is not the book. Although Dr. Sife does touch on this subject in a chapter, the basis for the book is the psychological aspects of losing a member of your family.
<< 1 >>
| 
