A Thousand Lifetimes: The Story of a Woman and Her Dog: Both Sides of the Tale

by Maria Reich

If you ever loved a dog… If you ever sought a cure…If you ever believed in a power beyond your understanding… A Thousand Lifetimes will resonate with everything you knew, and hoped, was true. Here is the very real story of one woman’s life with rescue animals, and in particular, Celeste — a beloved canine who found a home in the author’s heart and never left. Celeste was plagued with a number of mysterious health problems. But despite being deaf, and being a dog, Celeste was able to communicate everything she was experiencing, thinking, and feeling through Carol, a professional Animal Communicator with the ability to converse with animals telepathically. Together, Celeste and Maria, her human companion, narrate their heroic journey together as spirits intertwined in this lifetime. For those who don’t believe in telepathic communication with animals, don’t worry. A Thousand Lifetimes will burrow right into your soul and find where your truth is buried.

514 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 17, 2019

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m a huge dog lover but this book was a slog for me to get through. If it had just been about her and her dog and the bond that they shared I think I would’ve felt differently. But it was more the author’s life story - down to the tiny, minute details - than that bond. We could’ve cut at least 100 pages by taking out unnecessary side storylines and details. I also didn’t agree with the authors extremely judgmental opinions toward people who vaccinate their pets and believe in doctors. Overall unimpressed.

[Mary Ohashi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. Not many authors will tackle such esoteric topics. Unfortunately, there were too many barriers to my ability to read the book. Exhaustive details that did not support the arc of the story were a primary one. The biggest, the infantilization of the dog's perspectives. How could I trust the perception of the Celeste was actually Celeste's and not the projection of the author's interpretation? I just couldn't finish it.

[barbara evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Double WOW

From the first page I was hooked. As a animal lover myself, I could identify with the author. The trip to Best Friends cemented the feeling. I would go there twice a year with my grandchildren. This story touched my heart. A must read for animal lovers!

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous read for anyone who believes that we are given the animals in our life for a reason. A book so worthy of your time and attention. You will see your furkids in a new way or perhaps it will strengthen what you already know and feel.

[Diane Patenaude · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn’t what I thought it was going to be, not much from the dog perspective, a bit slow and a bit sad but really what life really is, ups and downs. Still an interesting read.

[Dee Poynter · Rating 5 out of 5]

And there was a wonderful woman...

Really the best dog story I've ever read! I try to communicate with my dogs. Over the past years I've lost several. Two in particular I felt bad had I known where to go it may have helped them. I believe Brodilyn my beautiful border collie...so full of herself. got sick from rattlesnake vacine...I'm sure of it.. She was gone in 6 days...vet wouldn't listen to my concern over the vacine. They treated her for sma!I esophagus..I'm sure it scared her to death. She got gruel in her lungs and phenemonia. I should have kept her home. Another was my sweet lacees I rescued off the beach in Puerto valarta. My best agility dog. She started loosing hair..and her back was a mess. She was bald n sore. She died from the medication...ruined her liver.. After she passed I witnessed orbs around me the color of the shirt she wore to protect her skin. That's my 2 cents. Bless you for all you do..and for what you learned

[Tracy Wilkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

I borrowed this book because I thought it was a story about a woman and her dog. It was, partially - and that part was definitely sweet and very touching! BUT, this was more of an autobiography. Way too long with way too many details of her life that had nothing to do with story about the connection between her and Celeste. It was also very depressing - all but one of her pets died, her employee’s horse died, her father died, one sister committed suicide, another sister died, the author almost died, she had a financially unsuccessful business, and an unhappy marriage. Other than her pets, none of this needed to be written about. All I wanted to do was read a touching story about a woman and her dog and their amazing connection. It took everything in me to keep reading this :(

[Shesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an unusual book - it requires an open mind in human/dog communication. Some of the humans and dogs silently spoke to each other. Personally, I can deal with that. The main dog of the story was a deaf pittie. He had a difficult beginning of life due to his disability. But, of course, he and the author (Maria) eventually connected and the reader learns many life lessons as he/she experiences their difficulties, how they get through them, their determination and pure love. I felt more deeply connected to my puppy after I read the book. I repeat, it's not for everyone. However, if you want to suspend your disbelief for a time being it's a heartwarming read.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started reading this book, I thought it was lovely that the author took both the perspective of her as well as her animals, it was refreshing. Then of course as I finished the book and realized that her animals perspective was written with the aide of her animal communicator. For some who do not believe in animal communicators this book may be too far fetched, as was the response when I eagerly described this story to others. Otherwise it is a beautiful story that sheds light on to human to animal interaction.

[Nia Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift and ended up liking it more than I thought I would. I had a hard time believing in the animal communication (it didn’t help that the passages from the dog’s perspective relied on advanced language and thought) as well as some of the unconventional treatments she sought out (e.g., muscle testing, integrative manual therapy), but I was able to keep an open mind. I also had difficulty remaining interested during mundane sections of the book. However, I appreciated the author’s love for her dogs, which rivals my own, and her intense dedication to their health.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enlightening, heartbreaking and overall enjoyable read. I recently lost my first dog (December 6th), a rescue cocker spaniel, after being in my life for 14 years. And even though there were some passages that brought me to tears, it also brought me some comfort. The author is very honest and well informed on pets and health, etc., which was refreshing and interesting and kept me turning the pages. She is someone that I would enjoy hanging out with!

[Jo Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly loved the book. Having rescued a stray and adopted 6 dogs over the years I could relate to the story. I also take my dogs to an holistic vet. There were parts where I smiled and laughed along with crying at your losses. The loving bond is ever present and the dogs share that with us. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I could very easily be good friends with you Maria.

[Judith O'Haver]

Life changing....Have three special needs, puppy mill pups. We have a wonderful alternative medicine vet but after reading this wonderful book we're looking for an animal communicatorlive

Life changing...have three special needs, puppy mill pups. We have a great alternative medicine vet. After reading this wonderful book we're looking for an animal communicator.

[Ruthbc · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was very long (almost 500 pages) Lots of telepathic communication with dogs. She doesn't allow vaccines and feel they are the cause of many problems so she is searching for things to cure the issues that come up with Celeste and her other dogs and cats. She is also unhappy in her marriage.

[Marcia Awbrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a wonderful book for anyone who has ever loved and lost a pet!

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book could have been cut in half. So many needless details and unnecessary detours that did not relate to the main story. It was very tough to finish. I do not recommend this book.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, this is the first book I have read cover to cover since I was in high school. I found myself relating to the author in so many ways.

[kathy pucek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laughed and cried!

Wonderful life story...opened my eyes about communication with our beloved companions..Look no further..you must read! Read the first chapter and you are hooked √

[Jessa Messina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this quite frankly because my 18 year old dog died and I needed to be in the story of a bond between a woman and her dog.
That was all I was thinking about and all I wanted to read about.
It’s a slow burn. You don’t read it for the writing, you just read it because you love animals.
I would buy this for your friend who lost a pet and needs comfort that isn’t the intensity level of Marley and me.