Parting Words/Parting Ways: Saying Good-Bye to Your Pet

by Laura Ritter Carlson

It's always hard to say good-bye to one we love. When that loved one is a pet, intense feelings of responsibility and guilt can make our good-byes even more painful. Laura Ritter Carlson offers... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1882897625
• ISBN13: 9781882897629
• Release Date: February 2002
• Publisher: Lost Coast Press
• Length: 229 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.6" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Working through the pain of loss of a pet

In our society we have various acceptable ways to deal with the loss of a loved one. Everyone knows what is expected of them and the rituals that we go through to help us to work through the grief. However, the loss of a family pet can be very devastating and leaves the pet owner with no set of rituals to help move pass the pain. "Parting Words/Parting Ways: Saying Good-Bye to Your Pet" fills that void. In the first part of the book Laura Carlson discusses the five stages of grief, the five stages of healing, memorial services and memorializing your pet. Throughout the book one thing stands out, that it is okay to grieve over the loss of a pet and there are ways to work through the grief.The second part of the book contains many letters from pet owners who have lost a pet. The letters are written to the pets and show the deep emotions involved with the loss of a loyal companion. Reading the many letters one comes to realize the strength of the bond between many pet owners and their pets and the depth of grief that many go through. Recommended for those going through such a loss as it offers constructive methods of working through the loss and validation of their feelings.

parting word parting ways

Laura Carlson is an excellent author.This book is very well written and it helps you so much in the understanding of how to deal with the loss of your beloved pet.It takes alot of strength and courage to be able to exspress such a personal exsperence as hers.The book just grabs you by the heart from the very begining and doesnt let go till the very end.I have lost so many pets over the years and never had the courage to deal with the loss till I read this book.The people who wrote there stories of there losses along with Lauras losses will help alot of people overcome there grief and heal.I am so glad to have had the oppourtunity to have read this book.I hope it helps anyone who has ever lost a pet as it has help me.Thankyou Laura for sharing such a personal exsperence and allowing people a way to remember there beloved pets and for giving them a chance to heal.

Wonderful Support & Validation!

This is the first book on pet loss I've found that is actually a support group on paper! The letters from people all over the world are so touching and soul-baring, it's amazing that writing a letter like this can help heal a person, but I've done it now, and it does help. Before I read this book, I didn't feel ready to actually talk about my feelings to other people. I know there are support groups for people who have lost a pet, although few and far between, but somehow voicing my innermost feelings and crying in front of people wasn't something I felt comfortable doing. Now that Laura (I feel like I can be on a first-name basis with this author!) explained ways to process the myriad of feelings that accompany losing a pet, and the letters have made me feel like there are people who really do understand how devastating this kind of loss can be, I feel ready to move along the path of healing. THANK YOU!

A touching collection of letters to pets.

I was very anxious to receive this book, and had it pre-ordered for some time. I was mainly interested in seeing my pet letter in the book. I had written a story about my feelings about losing my dog Seger on a website some time ago. I was honored to be contacted and asked if it could be included in a book. I thought this could help people and I was touched to have Seger memorialized in such a special way. I knew nothing more than that until the book recently arrived. What I didn't know was how touching and comforting I have found this book of letters, written by people from all over, men, women, and children. No matter what walk of life they have come from we all share a common thread...the love of our pets and the pain of losing them. I also did not know how dedicated the author was, and how she has helped so many animals. I have never met her and although I assumed she was a wonderful person to take on this project..after reading the book..I now know she is a wonderful person. I was surprised and happy to know that proceeds will go to help animals. I have already given copies to friends and family who have lost pets, and plan on giving one to my vet. I had no idea of the real format or outcome of this book, and I think it is unique and amazing. I have been touched by the stories, and the personal way each person handles it. I hope this helps others the way it has helped me.

A heartwarming collection of loving people

I found this book to be a beautiful and tenderly loving approach to supporting anyone who is experiencing the painful feelings of losing a beloved pet. Or someone who must prepare themselves to face the difficult decision of letting-go of an ill or elderly pet. Laura lets you know you are not alone. She is a warm and loving woman who speaks from the heart of someone who has been there. I felt as if I were wrapped in a blanket of safe-love that allowed me to go to the heart of my grief and cry the cleansing tears of release that I so needed to do. This is a book for healing the heart. I found it encouraging to know that Laura and a world wide community of many other "animal angel's" are alive and well on the planet. Thank you Laura! I highly recommend this book.