Saying Goodbye to Your Angel Animals: Finding Comfort after Losing Your Pet

by Allen Anderson, Linda Anderson

In this thoughtful book, Allen and Linda Anderson walk you through the numbing pain and dreadful sense of loss that arise when a beloved animal dies. They offer solace to help you deal with grief, remember and honor key moments in the animal’s life, find comfort through groups and with professionals, and get past the depression. They also include exercises, affirmations, and meditations to use through the various stages of grief. The Andersons’ caring, practical advice covers all aspects of pet loss, offering guidance

helping children grieve :: honoring your religious beliefs :: grieving for runaway pets :: helping others know what to say or do to console you :: planning an appropriate memorial ceremony or tribute

The book also explores the concept of after-death experiences of departed companion animals and relates many beautiful stories, including the Rainbow Bridge story, that reinforce the love and sense of peace that come from honoring the place animals hold in our lives.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Psychology, Animals

176 pages, Paperback

First published July 28, 2008

About the author

New York Times Best-Selling authors, Allen and Linda Anderson, are pet experts, keynote speakers, and founders of the Angel Animals Network. They help people discover and benefit from the miraculous powers of animals.

Dedicated to promoting human-animal companionship, Allen and Linda donate a portion of proceeds from their work to animal rescue organizations and do fundraising activities.

The Andersons believe that whenever you connect spiritually with animals, thousands of new doors open. Through their books, newsletters, presentations, and insights, they show portals into a whole new world where animals are guides, healers, and friends.

With pets in 70% of American homes, it's crucial to consider animals as wisdom partners and appreciate the benefits of tapping into their hidden talents.

Reviews

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Losing a Pet is a difficult thing. Often we depend upon our animal friends to comfort us after a long hard day at work and to love us unconditionally when the world seems harsh. In the process, our pets become something more than just animals. Therefore, when we lose them or have to make the decision to end their pain or suffering, it’s like losing a part of the family.

Grief for any loved one doesn’t always look the way that other people think we should react. There are always those who are uncomfortable with emotions, those who insist that you should just get over it already. It’s just an animal after all.

Saying Goodbye to Your Angel Animals is meant to help you through the process of loss. Through various exercises and meditations, readers will come to grips with their sadness, anger, and guilt so that they can hold only the good memories to their heart.

[Melissa Battles · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a saying about listening to sermons: chew the meat, and spit out the bones. I took what I needed from this book, and left the rest for others.

[Trent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a few of these after my pup died at 2.5 years old right in front of me. She was hit by a car and it just crushed me and my wife. Most people think we are crazy for being so upset, but we have no kids and she was like a child to us anyway. It's been well over a year later now. I have a new pup and she's great, and time helps, but to all those who don't get it or think it's weird to mourn a pet, I just feel sorry for you to not know what it's like to love something that much... Anyway, these books helped a little bit during the process. I don't think every pet you have is your "forever dog" but every once in a while one will come a long that just bonds with you and it hurts to lose them. Especially the way I lost mine.

I recommend it. Also a few more will tug at your heart strings. Message me for the titles. I don't really want to find them all on here. Some probably aren't even on here anyway.

[Ghanimatrix · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was helpful to me. I recently lost my dog after 14 years together. Being hugely pregnant and busy with a toddler, I needed something to help me work through my feelings when I had the time to spare. As an atheist, I found myself glossing over a paragraph or two, but overall this book was very helpful and I valued some of the exercises. Didn't find it too cheesy. I would recommend it to anyone who wants some help exploring their feelings of grief after losing a beloved pet.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book. It not only offers exercises, but also mentions books / authors throughout that might be helpful.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very helpful after the lost of a dear pet.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I pretty much skimmed through this book, I did get a couple of things out of it.

I am surprised at the intensity with which I still miss my Golden Retriever. This book made me think about the different roles Sunny played in my life (substitute child, protector, comic relief and -selfishly, I know - someone to listen to me and adore me unquestioningly!) and that helps explain why there is such a big hole.

The book was well laid out with the different stages of grieving outlined and explored the emotional, religious, etc. issues you might come across. It gives meditations, exercises to help you work through various things, even "scripts" for ceremonies, etc.. While some of it was too in-depth for me, I could see where some people might really get a lot out of that.

[Laren · Rating 1 out of 5]

OK, I changed to skimming as soon as I got to the explanation of "organic grief" in chapter 2. I think the entire book can best be explained by a random quote from page 91 which is supposed to be an example of you, the animal griever, journaling to your beloved dead pet:

"Know that I release you into the shimmering Light. I drift with you into the blissful sound."

Do I really need to explain anymore why I hated this book? It was utterly useless, and a complete waste of time (unless you count the fact that I pictured my beloved deceased cat laughing really hard at me for even picking this up in the first place!)

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was way more mystical than what I was looking for. Spends some time with the stages of grief (which it equates with the colors of the rainbow). Some of the journaling prompts were thought-provoking. I thought I'd find the ideas for memorializing pets useful, but most of that chapter was scripts that I can't imagine using. Not the practical book I was hoping for.

[Felix · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good guide to those who have lost a beloved pet. Explained the stages of grief and had lots of suggestions on how to recover from the loss. Very much recommended to those trying to find comfort after losing their beloved pet.