DEAR BRAVE FRIEND by Leigh Ann Gerk
Book Details:
Book Title: Dear Brave Friend by Leigh Ann Gerk
Category: Middle-Grade Non-Fiction (8 to 12) , 49 pages
Genre: Self-Help
Publisher: Golden Harvest Publishers
Release date: August 2019
Content Rating: This non-fiction, self-help book is rated G. Appropriate for all audiences.
This gentle and heartwarming story captures the love between a boy and his dog, and the sadness that follows after his cherished dog passes away. Written in the form of a letter from the dog to the boy, the letter shares relatable, real life examples of how the boy (and therefore anybody who has lost a dear pet) may be feeling and suggestions on what he can do to help himself get through this most difficult time. The letter also touches on simple acts of kindness that can follow the reader throughout his or her lifetime. The message in this story is applicable to young and old, girl or boy, and to any family pet that has stolen your heart. Story starters, drawing pages, and a place to add pictures of your own beloved pet are also included in the back of the book.
Grieving Pet Loss During the Pandemic
These are tough times for everyone. All of us are experiencing higher degrees of stress and worry; everyone is facing the realities of the pandemic. One of the issues of the pandemic is that plenty of people are now working from home, which is both a blessing and a curse. Many people have the pleasure of enjoying more time and consistency with their pets while working from home. We’ve all enjoyed pictures of cats sitting on a keyboard or dogs sleeping peacefully next to the makeshift workstation in the living room or at the kitchen table.
uring this difficult time, our pets have played a huge
role. They are the ones who look at us
with love and affection regardless of the challenges we are facing. They are the stable, loving force that keeps
us grounded in our routines of feeding and walking them when everything else
feels discombobulated.
For those who live alone, the pandemic has strengthened
the bond between pets and their “parents,” as their pets are their only source
of connection while isolated from others. However, this circumstance also
intensifies the loss people feel when their cherished pet passes.
The loss of a pet can be dramatic and significant in any
circumstance, but for those living alone during the pandemic, it is
extreme. One of the coping strategies
that used to be standard was to go to work and ‘lose yourself’ in your work.
Not only does going to work provide a much-needed distraction from the grief,
it also generally provides some social interaction so people can express and
share their grief.
Now, people are left
home alone, and they are often experiencing tremendous loneliness on top of
their grief.
There are a few strategies that might help.
Go outside.
Research supports what many of us already know, that being in nature is
healing. Some people benefit from buying
a stuffed animal that they can hold and even pet to relieve the angst. Many people feel relief by writing a letter
or two to their departed pet, sharing their love and loneliness.
It is okay to leave your beloved pet’s bowl
and toys out where they’ve always been if it brings you comfort; just the
presence of their things can offer a small degree of relief. One thing is certain – there are no rules for
grieving. Especially during these difficult times, each person must do whatever
brings them any degree of peace.
The muted colors and soft edges on each page encourage the reader or listener to relax.
There is even a special surprise hidden within the images to find upon repeated enjoyment.
I give it 5 of 5 stars
Leigh Ann Gerk MA, LPC has been in the counseling field for over eleven years. She is certified in Pet Loss & Grief Companioning and the founder and owner of Mourning to Light Pet Loss providing individual and family counseling for anyone grieving the loss of a pet. She currently offers 3 free pet loss support groups in Northern Colorado and is excited to branch out and offer more. Having grown up on a farm, Leigh Ann's childhood playmates included baby calves, horses, bunnies, dogs, and 32 cats that set up house in a boxcar that also served as her playhouse. This upbringing introduced her, at a very young age, to the human-animal bond and instilled in her a deep understanding of, and love for, this extraordinary relationship. Leigh Ann and her husband, Andy, live in Loveland, Colorado, and are the proud parents of identical twin daughters, Heather and Heidi. Their family is made complete by their first grandchild and their cherished therapy dog, Gracie. Visit Leigh Ann online at MourningToLightPetLoss.com.
connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ goodreads
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Dear Laura,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your lovely review. I especially loved how you described Dear Brave Friend as "a love letter of reassurance from a dear friend."