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Summary: A spiritual collection of stories about the animals
Review: Author Rita Reynolds draws upon more than twenty years of experience working with sick and dying animals to alleviate their suffering in her new book, Blessing The Bridge: What Animals Teach Us About Death, Dying, And Beyond, a spiritual collection of stories about the animals that touched her life. This is more than a volume of advice for grieving the loss of a pet; Blessing The Bridge is a pioneer journey toward deeper understanding between animals and humans. With a nonsecular perspective on death and renewal, inspirational stories, and unlimited compassion, Blessing The Bridge is a memorable and gentle work of heartfelt emotion.
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Summary: Blessing the Bridge
Review: Blessing the Bridge not only explores what animals teach us about dying, it celebrates the life of many beings--from a spider who appreciates good music to a duck who teaches a powerful lesson in letting go. Sandwiched inbetween are tales of beloved dogs and other companion animals--each bears a gift the author accepts and shares with the readers of this book. Blessing the Bridge will fill your heart with joy and your brain with practical ways to cross that bridge when you come to it. I highly recommend this book!
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Summary: More than touching...
Review: Everyone who has lost a beloved pet will relate to this books.Before starting reading it, get a new supply of tissues. It is very emotional and sad at times. The stories of the animal posted here will break the heart of the most brave human. At the same time, this book is very refreshing, showing us that even in death one can see beauty. Nothing can prepare you for the death of a trusted friend. But having read this book, you will find yourself with a new point of view, and when the time comes, you will have a good chance to deal with a pet loss in a better way than most. Helping your pet cross over is the hardest and most important task of an animal gueardian. This books guides you through it. May you rarely need it.
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Summary: A MUST READ FOR ANYONE WHO HAS LOVED AN ANIMAL COMPANION
Review: I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has or had a beloved animal companion in their life. It has given me an inner peace and courage to let them go, when the time comes.
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Summary: Blessings Abound
Review: Rita Reynolds has done us all a great favor in writing this book. Her matter-of-fact yet compassionate approach toward the process of dying is a cleansing breeze blowing away the cobwebs of fear and mystery that our society has woven around death. There are many ways of dying, and the author shows us that they all deserve respect and an attitude of love and hope. While I was reading this book, my own mother became ill and soon passed away, giving those around her an extraordinary demonstration of courage and determination. Having "Blessing" at hand was a special blessing to me and to my family, as we used some of the suggestions at the end to celebrate our mother's life and death. Ms. Reynolds' work encompasses all species and all circumstances. Death is something we all face, for ourselves as well as our loved ones, and this wonderful book can be of great assistance in the process.
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Summary: Healing Balm for the Soul
Review: Rita Reynolds offers solace to anyone who has had a beloved pet and has had to face, or anticipates facing, the loss of their beloved's physical presence and companionship when the cycle of death and dying arrive. My husband and I just went through this experience with our beautiful 11 year old Golden Retriever and it was a heartwrenching experience, though it opened many avenues for emotional and spiritual growth. I had already set the intention for healing and growth for myself through this deeply painful experience when a client of mine gave me Rita's book. Her book beautifully validated in my mind what is possible when we move into the pain of loss with our beloved animal friends and use the experience to deepen our connection to life. Rita is an incredibly compassionate person and writes her beautiful story with an amazingly open and expansive heart. Thank you Rita for choosing to share your love and inspiration to support us on our journeys with our pets.
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Summary: A spiritually and practically helpful book
Review: Rita Reynolds' book is kind and thorough. The book should appeal to anyone who lives with animals. It will definitely help to create a deeper understanding of death and ease the transition for both the dying and those left behind. Reynolds is both practical and spiritual, with lots of well-earned advice from the many animal deaths she has witnessed at her no-kill shelter. I can't recommend this book highly enough; it's generous and comforting.
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Summary: NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP...
Review: The above lines are ones most Christians have heard in early childhood as part of a nightly prayer. They also conjure up thoughts and emotions as we lay our beloved animals down to sleep when age, pain and suffering come to much to bear. We can acquire insight and knowledge from animals, whether they are animals in the wild or the devoted canine who sits faithfully by our side, fearless and ever ready at our command. We can learn much of the process of dying, but we can also learn an incredible amount on the quality of living. Our companions ask for little. They seldom complain, they have no need for materialistic wants, they possess a natural, inbred-ability to balance time without a course in time management. As long as they are given food, water, warm, dry shelter, and are treated with love and kindness...they have all they ever need. They raise families, face life's obstacles and dangers, and do not have to climb the corporate ladder or keep up with friends and neighbours to live happy, fulfilling lives. But, "they don't have to work for a living," you say. When is the last time you had to hunt for food to survive, pull a tractor around a field from sunup till sundown, or haul a dog-sled through miles of relentless snow and ice? How many of us would be content with a pat on the head for a paycheque? I absolutely loved this sensitive, touching book. "Blessing the Bridge" is not only about death and beyond, is about living. Spider, duck, fly, horse or lion, they are all creatures of the universe, with challenges, feelings and...souls. It is against Buddhist belief to take the life of any living being. In Tibet, monks and nuns in monastic life sweep the pathway with brooms rather than risk taking the life of an insect by inadvertantly stepping on it. We, as humans, can learn the difference of what is truly important in our life, and what is nothing more than a conceptual illusion of what we "perceive" will make us happy. I give the author extreme credit for the insight, research and knowledge contained in this dramatic and beautifully written book. If the does not succeed in touching your heart...little in this lifetime will.
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Summary: NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP...
Review: The above lines are ones most Christians have heard in early childhood as part of a nightly prayer. They also conjure up thoughts and emotions as we lay our beloved animals down to sleep when age, pain and suffering come to much to bear. We can acquire insight and knowledge from animals, whether they are animals in the wild or the devoted canine who sits faithfully by our side, fearless and ever ready at our command. We can learn much of the process of dying, but we can also learn an incredible amount on the quality of living. Our companions ask for little. They seldom complain, they have no need for materialistic wants, they possess a natural, inbred-ability to balance time without a course in time management. As long as they are given food, water, warm, dry shelter, and are treated with love and kindness...they have all they ever need. They raise families, face life's obstacles and dangers, and do not have to climb the corporate ladder or keep up with friends and neighbours to live happy, fulfilling lives. But, "they don't have to work for a living," you say. When is the last time you had to hunt for food to survive, pull a tractor around a field from sunup till sundown, or haul a dog-sled through miles of relentless snow and ice? How many of us would be content with a pat on the head for a paycheque? I absolutely loved this sensitive, touching book. "Blessing the Bridge" is not only about death and beyond, is about living. Spider, duck, fly, horse or lion, they are all creatures of the universe, with challenges, feelings and...souls. It is against Buddhist belief to take the life of any living being. In Tibet, monks and nuns in monastic life sweep the pathway with brooms rather than risk taking the life of an insect by inadvertantly stepping on it. We, as humans, can learn the difference of what is truly important in our life, and what is nothing more than a conceptual illusion of what we "perceive" will make us happy. I give the author extreme credit for the insight, research and knowledge contained in this dramatic and beautifully written book. If the does not succeed in touching your heart...little in this lifetime will.
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Summary: BLESSINGS THE BRIDGE
Review: THIS BOOK WAS JUST AMAZING. I HAVE READ SO MANY DOG RELATED BOOKS BUT THIS ONE OUT SHINES THEM ALL. I HAD LOST MY 14 YEAR OLD BASSET HOUND TO CANCER AND A YEAR AFTER HER DEATH I BOUGHT THIS BOOK. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT ALL THE SIGNS AND SIGNALS SHE WAS SENDING ME WERE CONFIRMED IN RITA'S WRITINGS. YOU WOULD NO BE DOING YOURSELF JUSTICE BY NOT READING THIS BOOK. THANK YOU
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