Blessing the Bridge: What Animals Teach Us About Death and Dying

by Rita M. Reynolds, Gary Kowalski (Foreword)

A pioneer in working with sick and dying animals, Rita Reynolds offers a spiritual perspective on the final stages that moves beyond fear and grief. She draws on 20 years of working with animals at her sanctuary, Howling Success, and includes inspirational stories and suggestions on how to be involved with an animal during the transition into death and beyond.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals

168 pages, Paperback

First published December 29, 2000

About the author

Rita Reynolds is the Founder of the Animals’ Peace Garden. She is the author of Blessing the Bridge, What Animals Teach us About Death, Dying and Beyond and Ask the Cow, A Gentle Guide to Finding Peace. She also edits and publishes the internationally distributed quarterly journal Lajoie and has been rescuing and tending to creatures since she was a small child. When she, her husband, and two young sons, Michael and Tim, moved to Virginia in 1978, they brought with them two dogs and two cats and the sanctuary continued to grow from there. The Animals’ Peace Garden works with all beings, most notably animals moving through illness, dying, and beyond death, with our philosophy based on Dr. Albert Schweitzer’s famous ethic of Reverence For Life: a way of living that likewise offers a compassionate “place” for people to share their grief over their loss of an animal companion.

Reviews

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I don't necessarily agree with everything in this book, it was still a comfort to me as I mourn the loss of a beloved cat. The author runs an animal sanctuary and has a lot of experience nursing (and losing) a wide variety of pets--goats, dogs, cats, rabbits, ducks, and hens. All of her stories are tear-jerkers. I wish that I had read this book while my pets were well; it would have been a help as I considered things like euthanasia and trying to figure out when to have my cat put to sleep. The author suggests that animals are aware of death. She also believes that it's possible to enter into a dialogue with a pet and that the pet will tell you when it's their time to go. When I found out my cat had cancer, I agonized over whether or not she "knew" that she was going to die, and debated whether or not a cat can even fathom the concept of death. At the time, I felt like I had to do everything I could to keep my cat from believing that the end was near. I wanted her to think she would get better, even though I knew as soon as she got worse that I would have to bring her in to be euthanized. When she was home, I refused to cry in front of her because I didn't want to worry her. Even at the vet's office, I did everything I could to make her think she was going to get better and kept telling her she was going to feel better soon. And yes, now that she is gone I know she is "better" because she isn't suffering anymore. But, reading this book made me question my tactics for dealing with my cat's illness and death. They might have been what was best for me, but was it what was best for her? Honestly, I don't know that I believe in angels or guardian spirits. I want to believe, but don't know if I can. Still, this book was a help to me. There are some things I don't buy at all, such as the story about the sickly spider who responded to Pachelbel, or things like "color therapy" and flower essences as methods of healing. But I would still recommend this for anyone with pets and especially someone who is mourning the loss of a pet.

[Leila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I began reading this book in the early hours of today and read right through until the end. I will be reading it again more slowly as there is so much to glean from it.I was saddened, touched, deeply moved and entranced by this beautiful book. If you love animals and believe in their spirituality and connection with the humans they interact with so closely; read it. It is not always an easy read as it does deal with the sick and the dying but if you can get past that I recommend it unreservedly. Having recently lost a deeply loved little cat it spoke to me in a special way.

[Raina · Rating 5 out of 5]

More woo-woo. Indi died one month ago today. This book was given to me by Berkeley, who is a nurse. One of her favorite patients is the publisher of this book. Berkeley saw her reading it and they started talking. She told her that my beloved dog died and I am making my way through the grieving process. This woman gave Berkeley the book to give to me.
I can not put it down. It is everything I believe and love and need. Reynolds, the author, tells the stories of the animals she has known and helped cross the bridge to the spirit world. Reynolds learned that her work, her calling, is to care for animals as they leave for the next life.
Candidly written and effortlessly captivating, Blessing the Bridge is blessing to me, helping me wade through my heart break. I recommend it to anyone who has loved an animal.

[Pat Muccigrosso · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me through the death of a dog that I was connected to on so many levels. Barney died in 2006 but I still think of him and sometimes, I see him -- on the patio, in the yard, turning the corner to go upstairs to bed.

Rita Reynolds' book made it possible for me to help my dog die with dignity, in my arms and at home. Her book and her warm insightful and practical advice made Barney's death easier to walk through. Her advice is what I turn to, now, whenever I have an pet that is ailing, aging or dying.

Ms. Reynolds, who has worked with senior pets and helped many of them cross the bridge, is probably one of the best sources for insight and information into what a dying animal is asking us to do at the end. I love this book and I love this author.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An old long lost friend recommended this book to me after putting my dog down after a brief illness. This book helped me to process my grief and has helped me in my healing. It was comforting to know that animals have much more insight into what's happening to them, and that they have a process of their own in which they go through when approaching the life beyond. The stories that Rita shared helped to confirm what I already knew. That our companions move to a happy and peaceful place, and they are always with us in spirit. This is one of the books that will always have a permanent spot on my bookshelves.

[Tim Doughty · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are two types of people in the world: those who get messages from angels, are contacted by deceased pets, and occasionally see the souls of their animals leave the body -- and those like me. Called "concrete heads" in my circles, what we see is what we get. We may want to experience the mystical but for some reason we don't. The author is in the first group, and readers of her type will get the most from this book. There were one or two things which might be of help in lessening grief, which is what I was looking for.

[Luminea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a deeply wise and moving book about pet loss, written by a woman who has run a sanctuary and hospice for animals out of her home for over 35 years. Rita offers poignant stories, heart-felt prayers, helpful suggestions, comforting words, and candid reflections in this beautiful book. The experiences she shared left me feeling greatly enriched, and took my beliefs about the intelligence and emotional lives of animals to an even deeper level. All creatures have souls, and yours will be touched by this powerful book!

[Grace]

This didn't give advice as overtly as I wanted it to (specifically, about helping other animals process their grief, for the cat I catsit), and had more stuff about angelic influences and touching stories than I was comfortable with/wanting to read right now.

[Tink Bastian · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could have given this book 10 stars I would have. This book was instrumental in understanding the passing of my heart and therapy dog Gwen. The grieving was profound and deep, this book helped me to come to an understanding that makes it possible for me to go on without her.

[Kelly]

I call this book my Bible

[Jacqueline Landry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This got me through a very dark period in my life following the death of my therapy companion, Sonny-Bunny at 19 years. Highly recommended read when it's time to let them go.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book that helped me through the last few months with my precious goldendoodle Ivey.

[J Crossley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The author has the ability to "read" animals, and she learned much about loving and passing on through the animals on her farm/animal sanctuary.