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Flash's Song: How One Small Dog Turned into One Big Miracle
What if most people have it wrong, and miracles are not the exception but the norm? Flash’s Song is the true account of how one person discovered the secret of miracles. It is a story of the power of laughter, the power of family, and, ultimately, the power of love to get us through life.
Freelance writer Kay Pfaltz was living a quiet, simple life with her three beloved dogs when suddenly her life turns upside down. Coming to terms with a failed relationship, she must now take her ailing dachshund, Flash, in for back surgery. But when the vet tells Kay that Flash’s problem is not a disc but in fact a tumor growing on his spine and Flash has, at most, three weeks to live, Kay is devastated. From here begins a journey of self-discovery and recovery that will open Kay’s heart to the greatest miracle of all.
Flash’s Song tells the story of amazing canine courage and remission against all odds. It is a ballad of love and redemption, and a moving account of how Flash’s three-week prognosis became five and a half miraculous months of learning, loving, and finally accepting.
Written in luminous prose, accompanied by poignant photos, and filled with keen insight into love, faith, and the power of forgiveness, Flash’s Song is not only a heartwarming ode to a little dog, but also a tribute to life and an invitation to cherish every moment of it.
Freelance writer Kay Pfaltz was living a quiet, simple life with her three beloved dogs when suddenly her life turns upside down. Coming to terms with a failed relationship, she must now take her ailing dachshund, Flash, in for back surgery. But when the vet tells Kay that Flash’s problem is not a disc but in fact a tumor growing on his spine and Flash has, at most, three weeks to live, Kay is devastated. From here begins a journey of self-discovery and recovery that will open Kay’s heart to the greatest miracle of all.
Flash’s Song tells the story of amazing canine courage and remission against all odds. It is a ballad of love and redemption, and a moving account of how Flash’s three-week prognosis became five and a half miraculous months of learning, loving, and finally accepting.
Written in luminous prose, accompanied by poignant photos, and filled with keen insight into love, faith, and the power of forgiveness, Flash’s Song is not only a heartwarming ode to a little dog, but also a tribute to life and an invitation to cherish every moment of it.
- GenresAnimalsDogsNonfiction
248 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 6, 2013
Pflatz's memoir of her Dachsund Flash carries us into the pain and emotional suffering so many of us have endured when our beloved pets are reaching their final destinations. An intelligent writer, Pflatz takes us deep into the meaning of love, faith and hope.
September 23, 2014
Loved reading this book! Not only was it a heartfelt story about the beauty of the unconditional love between an owner and a pet, but it was also a reminder of opening your heart and enjoying the simple things. It helped reinforce the meaning of a memory of mine. When I lost my first dachshund 20 years ago, I was leaving the vet office devastated and just then James Taylor's song "Secret O' Life" came on the radio and put everything in proper perspective. This book reminds you that you don't have to live some over the top, out of control life to be happy. Sometimes all you need to do is be with the one's you love and take in all the quiet beauty around you. This is where you will find love and happiness. This is where you will feel "home".
July 6, 2013
I do love a dog memoir, and this was a good one. As is often the case with shelter dogs and their owners it is hard to tell who rescues who in this bittersweet story.
This review is based on an ARC provided to me by the publisher.
This review is based on an ARC provided to me by the publisher.
February 5, 2018
I usually don’t write on here but this book is great.
Well I really loved the book.
Some parts of it was a little hard to read with out crying.
It was such a good book I read it in 3 days.
Well I really loved the book.
Some parts of it was a little hard to read with out crying.
It was such a good book I read it in 3 days.
August 31, 2016
Mortality is a sentence passed on all of us, two- and four-footed alike. There are temporary reprieves, but there are no pardons.
If we read a book and really like the protagonist, we hope that the sentence won't be carried out while we're watching. We can pretend that time is frozen when we turn the last page.
So let's make it clear right now – and it's scarcely a spoiler – that we don't get our wish when we read "Flash's Song: How One Small Dog Turned into One Big Miracle" by Kay Pfaltz. But the subtitle is accurate. Mortality does not preclude miracles. Kay Pfaltz lets us watch them happen.
"I don't ever want another dog." Many of us have said that after the death of a much loved dog. That's where Ms. Pfaltz is in her life when the book begins. But she has a sister who knows better than that, which is how, one October day, she finds herself in the parking lot of a Barnes & Noble accepting delivery of a smooth black dachshund, resembling "a large salamander," who had been flown to Virginia from Arizona, where he had been dumped for a car. And, as one of the customers in her shop/café says, "I guess we find love where we can. And love finds us when it's right."
Flash joins Ms. Pfaltz in a period of emotional turmoil for her, and, as dogs are wont to do, he makes the turmoil easier to bear, sometimes by just plain love and sometimes by being enough trouble to take her mind off her other concerns.
Then, one November day, Flash is rushed to a clinic for back surgery. What was supposed to be normal IVDD turns out, instead, to be an inoperable tumor. And sentence is passed. Flash will live another two weeks. Three at most.
And that's where the path to miracles begins. You know that the word "miracle" is in book's title, and you want, desperately want, the fairy tale ending, even though you know that the book is non-fiction. And you get miracles, even if not the one you want. The miracles come slowly, as Ms. Pfaltz explores various purported homeopathic cures and gratefully accepts the days that are given to her to be with her beloved boy. He makes it to Thanksgiving. He makes it to Christmas. She wants him to see the flowers bloom in her backyard in the spring, but that seems so much to ask.
This is not a suspense novel, but we will still allow you to follow the spiritual journey – for this is a deeply spiritual book – of Ms. Pfaltz and Flash for yourselves. On the journey, she discovers, accepts and embraces her own feelings and destiny, just as she does for Flash.
Flash loved to sing, and in this book you will hear his song in happy times and sad. You will hear it still once you've closed the book.
If we read a book and really like the protagonist, we hope that the sentence won't be carried out while we're watching. We can pretend that time is frozen when we turn the last page.
So let's make it clear right now – and it's scarcely a spoiler – that we don't get our wish when we read "Flash's Song: How One Small Dog Turned into One Big Miracle" by Kay Pfaltz. But the subtitle is accurate. Mortality does not preclude miracles. Kay Pfaltz lets us watch them happen.
"I don't ever want another dog." Many of us have said that after the death of a much loved dog. That's where Ms. Pfaltz is in her life when the book begins. But she has a sister who knows better than that, which is how, one October day, she finds herself in the parking lot of a Barnes & Noble accepting delivery of a smooth black dachshund, resembling "a large salamander," who had been flown to Virginia from Arizona, where he had been dumped for a car. And, as one of the customers in her shop/café says, "I guess we find love where we can. And love finds us when it's right."
Flash joins Ms. Pfaltz in a period of emotional turmoil for her, and, as dogs are wont to do, he makes the turmoil easier to bear, sometimes by just plain love and sometimes by being enough trouble to take her mind off her other concerns.
Then, one November day, Flash is rushed to a clinic for back surgery. What was supposed to be normal IVDD turns out, instead, to be an inoperable tumor. And sentence is passed. Flash will live another two weeks. Three at most.
And that's where the path to miracles begins. You know that the word "miracle" is in book's title, and you want, desperately want, the fairy tale ending, even though you know that the book is non-fiction. And you get miracles, even if not the one you want. The miracles come slowly, as Ms. Pfaltz explores various purported homeopathic cures and gratefully accepts the days that are given to her to be with her beloved boy. He makes it to Thanksgiving. He makes it to Christmas. She wants him to see the flowers bloom in her backyard in the spring, but that seems so much to ask.
This is not a suspense novel, but we will still allow you to follow the spiritual journey – for this is a deeply spiritual book – of Ms. Pfaltz and Flash for yourselves. On the journey, she discovers, accepts and embraces her own feelings and destiny, just as she does for Flash.
Flash loved to sing, and in this book you will hear his song in happy times and sad. You will hear it still once you've closed the book.
October 22, 2014
A deep emotional book,that makes you feel the compassion and sensibility thru the writters love to her dogs...
Flash's song is a journey that takes you from joy to sadness...passing thru the faith and believe that humans beings can have for another beings..... Every word in this book have a pragmatic melody of pure sense that can make you build an emotional landscape towards reality.....I just couldn't have enough of this wonderful book!
Besides it makes you want to go to Paris, the description of every corner is indeed magic!
Highly recommended for those who love and respect animals lives, and for those who are willing to travel to France!
Amazing wonderful......
Xxxxx
Flash's song is a journey that takes you from joy to sadness...passing thru the faith and believe that humans beings can have for another beings..... Every word in this book have a pragmatic melody of pure sense that can make you build an emotional landscape towards reality.....I just couldn't have enough of this wonderful book!
Besides it makes you want to go to Paris, the description of every corner is indeed magic!
Highly recommended for those who love and respect animals lives, and for those who are willing to travel to France!
Amazing wonderful......
Xxxxx
November 11, 2013
Heartfelt story of a rescue dog who slowly takes over his new owner's heart. After time Flash is diagnosed with a deadly disease and the strength and spirituality of the owner and those around her shines a new light on their world, enabling them to say goodbye to Flash with grace and dignity.
February 16, 2014
How loving a dog through his final days broke open the author's heart to love.
December 18, 2015
It was an ok read
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews