Stay: Lessons My Dogs Taught Me about Life, Loss, and Grace

by Dave Burchett

Amazing (Furry) Lessons from a Dog's LifeYou'll be enthralled by this story of a man and his lovable Labrador retriever, Hannah, and what their canine friendship can show us about life, grace, and long walks in the park.Hannah was Dave's best friend. He couldn't imagine starting a day without her tail wagging an energetic greeting, her body wiggling with sheer gratitude when her food dish was filled, and her unbridled enthusiasm for tennis balls. (How she fit three tennis balls in her mouth at once he'll never know.)So when Dave first learned of Hannah's cancer diagnosis, he decided to take whatever time he had left with Hannah to cherish the moments and capture his thoughts in a journal. As he wrote about his canine friend, he soon realized that Hannah was an able (and furry) mentor of faith, grace, kindness, and forgiveness. The lessons were invaluable: from "being present" to "trusting the master." When Hannah lived well past the expected time frame, Dave started to see that the insights he was gaining were more than just journal entries about a family pet. Through Hannah's antics, God was preparing Dave for life itself.You won't want to miss this heartwarming tale of a dog who knew how to live . . . and showed her owner how.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Christian, Dogs

256 pages, Hardcover

First published February 24, 2015

About the author

Dave Burchett is a successful television sports director with experiences that include the Olympic Games as well as professional and collegiate sports. Dave has directed television coverage of Texas Rangers baseball for over thirty years, earning a national Emmy and two local Emmy’s throughout his career. He is the author of When Bad Christians Happen to Good People and Bring ‘Em Back Alive. Dave has developed a speaking ministry as well as regularly blogs at DaveBurchett.com. Dave is married and has three grown sons, several grandchildren and another rescued Lab.

Reviews

[Holly McIntyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for a dog-loving Christian!

Upon learning that his lab-mix dog-friend Hannah had terminal cancer, Burchett began to reflect upon how much he had learned from her that pertained to his own life as a follower of Jesus -- the joy of trust and the freedom of obedience, to sit in grace and stay in full recognition of the Master's love. For readers who "speak" both Christianity and Love of Dogs, this is a great reminder of God's Good News in the New Testament. Readers who love Jesus or love dogs but not both, might find it interesting; readers who love neither should give it a miss. The message is grace-filled, uplifting, and in my point of view right on target, but it is definitely Christian and that may not be your cup of tea. It would be a an interesting and useful selection for a church-based book club or discussion group.

Note: I received an advance reader's copy of this book through Netgalley.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful book about unconditional love from our furry friends and our heavenly father.

[Savannah Hendricks · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are two paths focused on in this book, yet both equal and connected. Full of Bible verses and lessons, and understanding your relationship with your dog and how your life connects to it all. While the subject of this non-fiction novel is about life, loss, and grace. Thankfully it focuses on life and grace the most because there is no way to make loss easier, regardless of the path.

[Diane Zimmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Fran Farrelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those of us who own dogs or simply know of dogs recognize that there is something about the canine species that can make you believe that dogs were put on earth to show their oft-erring human companions that there is a better way to be and to live. How many of us as dog owners often pause and think, “if only I were as [fill in the blank] as my dog”?

Well, this book, in a delightful and thought-provoking way, fills in that blank one chapter at a time, as Dave reflected on the qualities his dogs Hannah and Maggie were demonstrating about how to live life better. Dave relates how when he received the news that his beloved Hannah had cancer, he took to heart the message conveyed to him by his vet: “Hannah does not know she is sick. Dogs have no fear of death, so they live in the moment. Enjoy each moment that you have.” At this point, Dave says, “I decided to experience fully the final journey Hannah and I had begun together and live fully in each moment.” The result was a journal which has now become a book, as Dave considered how many and varied were the lessons he was gleaning from the quality of life seen in a dog who lives in the moment. As a believer in Christ, Dave sprinkles each chapter with spiritual insights. “I began to learn that part of being content on the journey with Jesus is simply trusting Him one day at a time. You can’t live in regret of the past. It is forgiven. You can’t live in fear of the future. It is in God’s hands. Without regret or fear you are free to live in the moment. Or as C.S. Lewis put it, ‘where, except in the present, can the Eternal be met?’” … and then, “It was true. Worrying would not add a single moment to my life or to the life of my friend Hannah. Thanks to a kind and wise veterinarian I experienced a spiritual epiphany” … Hannah was a living example of the quality of a life that simply enjoyed what she had at the present moment without fear or regret.

So happily, be assured that this is not just another sad book laden down with the grief of a dog lover knowing his beloved friend has a terminal disease. Of course there is grief in that, and Dave gently for a time takes us through it, but there is so much more that is joyful and life-affirming. You will love the tidbits taken from the life and mindset of a dog and even more, how Dave seamlessly turns each vignette into a lesson for us to take to heart in our own walk through life. First there are the tales of faithful life-affirming Hannah, and then stories of Dave’s next dog Maggie, a lovable but rowdy rescue who had an entirely different set of lessons to teach.

Twenty three chapters, each with a different lesson in life from Hannah or Maggie, with titles such as “Always There”, “Be Present”, “Live in the Moment”, “Unleashed!”, “Run to the Master”, “Shake Off the Lies”, “Trust … the Currency of Love”, “Live Out of Who You Are”, “Gently Leading”. “Sit! Stay!” (my favorite and presumably the inspiration for the book title); that’s just a few, there’s plenty more.

Whether you read the book in bite sized portions one chapter at a time, or feast on the whole in one sitting, you will enjoy it either way. Highly recommended for an enjoyable read which will also provide food for your spiritual journey in a very novel and entertaining way. I fully expect to go back to this book for review when I feel my human side is pulling me too far away from the lessons our dogs would really like us to remember.

Stay: Lessons My Dogs Taught Me about Life, Loss, and Grace

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

In an odd twist of fate, I am very glad that I didn’t read this book when I first received it. Several weeks ago my dog Jack, a lab mix, received the very same prognosis as Hannah – a large mass on his spleen. What we had assumed to be a pot belly from perhaps excessive late-night snacking turned out to be an 11 lb tumor (no joke). The vets had never seen a tumor this large in a dog his size before.

The fact that Jack’s spleen hadn’t ruptured was in and of itself a miracle. Time dragged on for what felt like eternity as we waited for the results of his several-hours-long surgery, and then days thereafter for the prognosis of the tumor. The weeks-long recovery from having lost more than half of his blood was absolutely terrifying. Learning that the tumor was benign was a blessing beyond anything I dared hope.

Unfortunately Hannah had not been so fortunate. In the midst of all the uncertainty and fervent prayers, it would have destroyed me to have read Hannah’s plight prior to our incredibly blessed and happy outcome. I feel so fortunate, and as a result of my own experience down the same road with Jack, this book tugged at my heart more than I could ever tell you.

Stay follows TV sports director Dave Burchett’s journey with his dog Hannah, a beautiful yellow lab, from her puppyhood to the final weeks of her battle with cancer. In this beautifully heart-wrenching story, Burchett examines the inspiring life-lessons he learned from his faithful companion, exploring the surprising similarities between a dog’s relationship with his master and our relationship with Christ, and how we can use these lessons to grow closer to God.

I found the life lessons in this book, dog experiences I’ve been through countless times without giving a second thought, become surprisingly more meaningful and instructional when viewed through the lens of scripture. Burchett’s focus on Christ as our caring and loving master, along with a wonderful emphasis on grace, create a powerfully inspiring read that should be on the TBR list of every dog lover!

I have received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Check out this review on my blog: EpicBookQuest.com


Jack on his way home from surgery. He has since made a full recovery :-)

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was given to me as a birthday present and I hesitated to even read it because I can't bear sad animal stories. My friend urged me to read it because there is much happiness in it as well. I'm only on page 30, but I've read so many good things that I'm going to continue on with it, even though I know it will get really sad. I plan to make notes as I read things I want to remember. First one is a quote from page 31, and it's what their vet told them concerning their beloved dog Hannah who just had a tumor removed and was about to be sent home to recover:
"Hannah does not know she is sick. Dogs have no fear of death, so they live in the moment. Enjoy each moment that you have."
I love that! 8/25/15
8/28/15~chapter 15 Good-Bye: (page 141)
When a beloved pet dies, the question is often raised do you think we will be reunited with our pets in heaven? Job wrote that"The soul of every living thing is in the hand of God". I love what Reverend Billy Graham said: "heaven will be a place of perfect happiness for us-and if we need animals around us to make our happiness complete, then you can be sure God will have them there."
I. Love. This!!!

This book was so good, and I gleaned so much from it. I plan to share it with several friends who are dog lovers and also have a walk with Jesus.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life lessons come from unexpected places, sometimes. In Dave Burchett's case, the biggest lessons on grace and love came from his Labrador, Hannah. In Stay: Lessons My Dog Taught Me About Life, Loss, and Grace, Burchett describes how Hannah's cancer diagnosis changed his view on life, God, and faith. By learning to take life in the moment - like a dog - he learnt to appreciate the love and blessings God has given us.

As the mom of a Labrador, I thought this book would be hard to read. I don't want to think about ever losing my dog. But instead of focusing on Hannah's illness, Burchett focused on the grace a dog expresses. In her simple joys, her unconditional love, and her simply acceptance of him (flaws and all) he saw a model of how God wants us to live. Yes, I cried. But I also learned how to appreciate every day...and every moment with my dog.

This book is perfect for any dog lover. The cancer struggles may be a bit much for younger readers, so I wouldn't recommend it for anyone younger than fourteen.

[Jamie Fuentes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great book. I really enjoyed reading this book. It is full of emotion and easy to read. I found myself smiling, laughing and even crying at times. The author does a great job of painting the picture of his life for you. He explains things in a way that I could easily understand and grab a hold of. My family has been following Christ for many years and have recently heard the message of God's grace. This book has helped open my eyes to God's grace even more. I am having my teenager read it for homeschool. I highly recommend it. Even if you don't agree with everything the author says it has some great nuggets in there to get you thinking. Also you will get to read the beautiful story of how through his dog, Dave learned about God's grace.
I received this book free from the publisher for my honest review.

[Ruth Glover · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like dogs (and I do), you'll like the book. Dave does an excellent job of making the reader feel as if s/he knows his dogs. We've been there with the different personalities of our dogs, learning their quirks and ways to joy. He weaves the parallels to Christianity in unique ways. Thought-provoking at times, sad at time...it ran the gamut of emotions. I'm glad I took time to read it, as it is a good reminder of Christian principles.

[Brandy Mcdevitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love dogs so it's no surprise that I liked this book. Dogs teach us so many things about life- how to slow down, how to forgive, how to love unconditionally. This book reflected so many of those truths.

[Annabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reflections on life with dogs and the wonderful gifts they are. Slightly different theology, but solid overall

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot love this one enough! Or recommend it enough! I am a lab owner (many actually). I love how the author shows us things in ways our beloved dogs do or feel and compares it to our own actions with God. Lots of toes might be stepped on so to speak in so much we can improve on with our relationship with God. I could so relate to it and will listen to it over again. I listened on Audible (excellent) but will be purchasing the book so I can highlight a lot! Thanks to my author friend Savannah Hendricks for recommending this book.

[Kris Lodwig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved how the author uses his observations with his dogs to point out how we can learn from our best furry friends what our own relationship with God should/could look like. I think in my heart I already knew it, but Burchett puts it into words what I was feeling.

[Michele Morin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not intend to have a dog in my home who is so tall that he can rest his chinRSCN0246 on the dining room table. It was never my intention to take walks with one hundred and fifty pounds of dog on the other end of a leash, and I certainly did not plan to love that long-haired slobber factory named Tucker. My heart has been hi-jacked by a dog.

Dave Burchett, author of Stay: Lessons My Dogs Taught Me About Life, Loss, and Grace, is the victim of a similar hi-jacking, and he did not intend to write a book about the dogs in his life until his four-year-old yellow Lab, Hannah, was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor. With a survival prediction of three months or less, Hannah’s time with the Burchett family was suddenly at a premium, and Dave began to realize that Hannah’s tail-wagging, ball-chasing enthusiasm for life was a source of daily inspiration. So, with Hannah as mentor, Dave opens his journal and his photo album and shares his heart-warming memoir of Hannah’s last days. With humor, candor, and a conversational style, each chapter unpacks an “ah-ha” moment that Dave experienced with Hannah and the other furry teachers who have blessed his life.

The lesson which most impressed me was this: dogs live in the moment. They don’t waste their energy worrying about the future or regretting the past. They are relational experts, dispensing unconditional acceptance, forgiveness, and trust (whether their owners deserve it or not). Hannah’s big brown eyes were a constant source of comfort to Dave during his wife’s battle with breast cancer — not because she was a fountain of wisdom or theological insight, but because she continually offered the gift of presence.

A memoir of living through loss and reaching toward joy, Stay could just as well have been titled All I Need to Know about Relationships, I Learned from Watching My Dog.

This book was provided by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. in exchange for my unbiased review.

[Andrew]

I gave up on this book about 20% of the way through. The blurb and promotional materials talk about dogs, but the text itself spends a lot of time talking about the author's (and by extension, the reader's) relationship with G-d, including a lot of scripture references.

There is nothing wrong with that kind of book - I've read and enjoyed several over the years and posted enthusiastic reviews - but it's not the one I expected to be reading / reviewing based on the information provided. I have "cute animal stories with a moral" on my (informal) reading planner, not "morality with some cute animal stuff".

RATING: Not assigning a rating. It would not be fair - the author didn't write the marketing stuff, so it's not his fault the book isn't what was billed.

DISCLOSURE: I won a copy of this book via Goodreads FirstReads. As such, I felt an obligation to attempt to read and review. Hence this formal documentation of my thoughts, rather than simply going away quietly.

[Catherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

A perfect good book about life, love and acceptance as told through a great dog story -- completely ruined by a lot of religious rhetoric. At the start, I knew there would be some spiritual/ religious reflecting but I had no idea the author could not sustain his own thoughts without including passages/ directives from the bible. The only reason I give it one star is for the sweet pictures of the doggie.

[Rick Theule · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding book. A couple of lines really stand out for me.
"Sit. Stay. Abide. Eyes on Jesus. When we quit fighting to get better and do those four simple things, something amazing happens. We get better."

"When the Father looks at me on my very worst day, this is who He sees: Jesus."

The picture of Hannah on the cover pulled me in, the great words by Dave Burchett kept me reading.

[Joe Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple book with messages of humility and love that are easily missed but are great examples of how to live, and love. I am a dog lover, and believe that they are a blessing from God in a real life example of what it means to be selfless and unconditional in your love and trust. A good and quick read with biblical nuggets that cause you to stop, think and likely change how we view things.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely amazing story that will make you tear up. You won't be able to put this story down till the end. As a big animal lover I have enjoyed & I sympathize with the loss of a real friend. Lovely story.


Book aquired tru Good Reads Giveaways.
Thank you Good Reads !!!! :))

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is not really about a dog at all. It is about 90% religious pontificating. I couldn't even get through it. I feel like it was religious literature disguised as a book about a dog. Nothing wrong with religious texts but that's not what I signed up for.

[Stacy Vogeltanz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Any book about dogs makes me cry. This one started with a dog dying and then the book was actually about his second dog dying of cancer. It was an interesting concept to think about living life more like a dog does, but I didn't care for the comparison of dog and master to human and jesus.

[Jora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the endearing references and descriptions of his dogs, his life, and imperfections. I thought that the Christian end of the book was thoughtful, but too strong. I liked the pictures and antics of his dogs; they were so touching that I found myself crying as well as laughing.

[Catherine Yocum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dog Story with a Religious Tone

This book was Beautiful. The religious undertaking added so much to this story. I really enjoyed this book and so will You

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only read this book if you know what it means to have a loving 4 legged friend.

[Nicole Kristen French · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book!

[Taryn Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent book about how we can learn about life and faithful living from our canine companions.

[Lona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the few books I'll probably read again. I loved every chapter except one. This book is accessible, fun, and inspiring.

[Karen Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love your dog you'll really like this book!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If only I could give more stars! I loved this book from the very first page to the very last. Maybe it had to do with the fact that I love dogs. Well, I love animals. But I believe it was more because this guy is a fantastic author, dog lover, lover of life and a child of God. He has a fantastic way with words that make the pages flow smoothly. The lessons he learned from his dogs are the same lessons I need to remember as a child of God. Life gets hard and it's natural for us to try and take the burden on our own shoulders. But we don't have to. God never leaves us. I have a list of favorite books, 1. My Bible 2. Heaven by Randy Alcorn and now 3. Stay by Dave Burchett. I very highly recommend this book. I have always believed there are animals in Heaven and so do Randy Alcorn and Dave Burchett! That's pretty good company to be in.