Love Can Be: A Literary Collection about Our Animals

by Louisa McCune (Editor), Teresa Miller (Editor)

“ Love can be, and sure enough is, moving in all things, in all places, in all forms of life at the same snap of your finger .”—Woody Guthrie

Oklahoma native Woody Guthrie said it first and best. This new anthology of poems and prose, Love Can A Literary Collection About Our Animals , is proof of what love can be, as thirty acclaimed authors join together to champion life in all its forms. This is their gift to the world, not just the artistry of their words, but their vision of an extended community that includes cats, birds, frogs, butterflies, bears, dogs, raccoons, horses—a full-out menagerie of being that enriches us all.

This broad-hearted vision comes with responsibility, and that responsibility speaks to the mission of the Kirkpatrick Foundation, publisher of the book. The Kirkpatrick Foundation will donate all net proceeds of sales of this volume to animal charities in Oklahoma as well as honoraria donated to the contributors’ selected animal charities.

Authors featured in the collection are Julia Alvarez, Blake Bailey, Rick Bass, P. C. Cast, Wayne Coyne, Kim Doner, Delia Ephron, Reyna Grande, Joy Harjo, Amy Hempel, Juan Felipe Herrera, S. E. Hinton, Brandon Hobson, Dean Koontz, Ursula K. Le Guin, Jill McCorkle, Teresa Miller, N. Scott Momaday, Joyce Carol Oates, Susan Orlean, Ron Padgett, Elise Paschen, Diane Rehm, Jewell Parker Rhodes, Wade Rouse, Alexander McCall Smith, Lalita Tademy, Clifton Taulbert, Michael Wallis, and Mary Logan Wolf.

Special contributions
* “The Cat,” one of the final original poems by the legendary Ursula K. Le Guin.
* A memorial tribute to Sudan, the last male white rhino, by former U.S. poet laureate Juan Felipe Herrera.
* An essay by noted novelist Alexander McCall Smith, who celebrates the whimsical link between baboons and opera.
* An essay on love, grief, and resilience by Peabody Award–winning journalist Diane Rehm.
* A classic, “Jubilate,” by Joyce Carol Oates.

240 pages, Paperback

Published November 13, 2018

Reviews

[Teddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was offered a copy of this book review I of course, accepted.  Everyone knows about my love for animals. At first I thought it was a collection of stories about the contributing authors pets however, there are also stories about encounters with wild animals as well.  There are a great variety of animals written about which makes this book more exciting.  I have to say however, that I found a few of the stories just plain boring.  That said, I did enjoy most of the stories and there were quite a few that had me in tears.

‘Love Can Be’ is dedicated in memory of Joan Kirkpatrick, an Oklahoma animal advocate and daughter of the founders of the Kirkpatrick Foundation. She passed away in 2009 but the foundation is still going strong.  The processed for this book will go to animal rescue organizations in Oklahoma and other animal related organizations.  There are a lot of pets and wildlife in need so be sure to pick up a copy of this book and donate to your favorite animal welfare organizations, if you can.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thirty well-known authors have come together to share stories of their love of animals. You'll find stories about beloved dogs and cats, but there are also stories about frogs, butterflies, horses, raccoons, and many more. Authors you may recognize from this collection include Joyce Carole Oates, Delia Ephron, Alexander McCall Smith, Dean Koontz, S.E. Hinton, and Jewell Parker Rhodes. Each author takes a few pages to celebrate a favorite pet, a chance encounter, or pay tribute to a beloved animal through poems or short stories.

Some favorites included Reyna Grande's tribute to monarch butterflies and her connection to their migration and her immigration to the United States. Wayne Coyne's shared a story from his childhood of rescuing frogs and helping them across the streets. As an adult, he attempted to help a turtle across a busy highway in the same way, with a different result. P.C. Cast shares her story of being stalked by a fan and needing to get a protection dog. The story begins with her fear of being followed and tracked by this fan on a daily basis and then the experience of meeting, training, and feeling completely protected by her dog, Badger. Unfortunately, she never tells the reader what happened to the stalker. Many of these stories were personal and the authors share special moments with animals that many of us can identify with. Kim Doner's story of a car ride with a raccoon reminded me of my aunt who has rescued and raised many raccoons (as well as many other animals) who have crossed her path needing a new mother. She is truly an animal whisperer and this book reminds me of her devotion to all animals.

For all readers that have that had a beloved pet, a chance encounter with an animal, or feel strongly about supporting animal shelters, this is a book that will warm your heart and remind you of the great joy animals can bring into our lives.

This collection of stories was made possible by the Kirkpatrick Foundation. The book is dedicated in memory of Joan Kirkpatrick, an Oklahoma animal advocate and daughter of the founders of the Kirkpatrick Foundation who died in 2009. Joan Kirkpatrick had a great love for all animals and felt strongly about veterinary sciences and saving rescued animals. This book is entirely a philanthropic endeavor and the proceeds will go directly towards a number of Oklahoma animal welfare organizations as well as a host of organizations chosen by each author.

[Katie (DoomKittieKhan) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring collection of stories that showcase the relationship between people and their pets. The themes of the books range from authors talking about their favorite pet, childhood memories of animals, to a eulogy for Sudan - the last male white rhino. A vast collection of poetry and prose as intriguing as the list of authors who contributed to this volume. Authors include Ursula K. Le Guin, Julia Alvarez, Delia Ephron, Joy Harjo, S. E. Hinton, Dean Koontz, Brandon Hobson, N. Scott Momaday, Joyce Carol Oates, Alexander McCall Smith, and Diane Rehm to name just a handful. The volume includes charming color photographs to accompany each featured work. The book is published by the Kirkpatrick Foundation of Oklahoma and is published in part to promote their Safe and Humane Initiative which is to make Oklahoma the safest and most humane place to be an animal by the year 2032. To that end, the Kirkpatrick Foundation will donate all net proceeds of sales of this volume to animal charities in Oklahoma as well as honoraria donated to the contributors’ selected animal charities. So...that's awesome.

[Sassafras Patterdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic book. the range of voices in this collection of touching stories was really strong. this is one to cherish

[Sandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology talks about the ways pets and animals in general enrich our lives. It was sponsored by the Kirkpatrick Foundation so that all money generated can be donated to pet charities. There are articles by various authors as well as poetry and sketches of the animals. Some of the animals written about include cats, dogs, horses, bears and birds.

Authors include the following: Ursula K. Le Guin, Julia Alvarez, Blake Bailey, Rick Bass, P. C. Cast, Wayne Coyne, Kim Doner, Delia Ephron, Reyna Grande, Joy Harjo, Amy Hempel, Juan Felipe Herrera, S. E. Hinton, Brandon Hobson, Dean Koontz, Jill McCorkle, Teresa Miller, N. Scott Momaday, Joyce Carol Oates, Susan Orlean, Ron Padgett, Elise Paschen, Diane Rehm, Jewell Parker Rhodes, Wade Rouse, Alexander McCall Smith, Lalita Tademy, Clifton taulbert, Michael Wallis and Mary Logan Wolf. This book is recommended for nonfiction readers who love animals.

[Dominique King · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice quick read that I picked up at the library to take with me to hospital for something to read as I waited for someone's surgery and doctors' appointments over a couple of days. I enjoyed this collection, which included poetry and short stories (mostly about dogs or cats, but also included a few others like butterflies and bears!).

A fun read for those who enjoy animals and learning about how they support and help their human companions emotionally and in addressing loneliness. A wide variety of writers (many with some Oklahoma connection) donated stories and designated the proceeds to benefit a number of animal causes and support groups.

Some really well-known writers like Dean Koontz and Joyce Carol Oates...and a number that were new to me. I'm not a big fan of poetry, but this was a nice mix that kept me interested.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stories but some are very sad. Will make you want to hug your best friend(s)