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Maggie the Dog Who Changed My Life
*2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist*
*2008 DWAA Merial Human-Animal Bond Award Finalist* Discover the sixth sense communication that occurs between humans and their dogs... The connection between Maggie and Dawn was powerful. Maggie's genuine and beautiful essence opened Dawn's heart and she became more real. Through their relationship Dawn learned that dogs are intelligent and emotional beings that can sense human thoughts. From housebreaking to adolescent escapades and on through old age, Maggie's radiant spirit became interwoven with the fabric of Dawn's life. The depth of their bond opens a surprising door to intuition and dream communication about Maggie's fate. Through their journey, Dawn experiences the joys of sharing life with a dog that so touched people as well as the profound grief that comes with the loss of her beloved Maggie.
*2008 DWAA Merial Human-Animal Bond Award Finalist* Discover the sixth sense communication that occurs between humans and their dogs... The connection between Maggie and Dawn was powerful. Maggie's genuine and beautiful essence opened Dawn's heart and she became more real. Through their relationship Dawn learned that dogs are intelligent and emotional beings that can sense human thoughts. From housebreaking to adolescent escapades and on through old age, Maggie's radiant spirit became interwoven with the fabric of Dawn's life. The depth of their bond opens a surprising door to intuition and dream communication about Maggie's fate. Through their journey, Dawn experiences the joys of sharing life with a dog that so touched people as well as the profound grief that comes with the loss of her beloved Maggie.
- GenresAnimalsNonfictionDogs
168 pages, Paperback
First published July 16, 2008
85 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Dawn Kairns
3 books2 followersDawn Kairns is the author of the beloved MAGGIE the Dog Who Changed My Life and now her 2013 book, FINAL YEARS Stories of Parent Care, Loss and Lives Changed. She practiced for 20 years as a nurse, family nurse practitioner & psychotherapist until following her passion to write. Dawn has also published in nursing journals and American Fitness magazine.
Dawn is a lifelong animal lover and has volunteered with local animal rescue organizations. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, she traveled to Mississippi to work with the Humane Society of the United States assisting the displaced Katrina dogs.
Dawn grew up in Northwestern Indiana but has called Colorado home for 35 years. She lives in Boulder with her husband, Tom, their dog, Maddie, and recently adopted 14 year old Tigger the cat. She finds her inspiration in the Colorado and Wyoming mountains among the wildflowers and dancing streams.
Link to Book: Final Years Stories of Parent Care Loss and Lives Changed
Link to Book: Maggie the dog who changed my life
Dawn is a lifelong animal lover and has volunteered with local animal rescue organizations. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, she traveled to Mississippi to work with the Humane Society of the United States assisting the displaced Katrina dogs.
Dawn grew up in Northwestern Indiana but has called Colorado home for 35 years. She lives in Boulder with her husband, Tom, their dog, Maddie, and recently adopted 14 year old Tigger the cat. She finds her inspiration in the Colorado and Wyoming mountains among the wildflowers and dancing streams.
Link to Book: Final Years Stories of Parent Care Loss and Lives Changed
Link to Book: Maggie the dog who changed my life
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 22, 2012
As I turned the pages of Maggie, the dog who changed my life, I felt a powerful kindred spirit connection with Dawn and Maggie. Their story is so similar to my own, and the path I am now on because of my own lab, Cassie Jo, who I lost to cancer in 2005.
What I love about Dawn Kairn is the fact that she opens her heart wide to the world in sharing Maggie's story and their journey. She took an extremely difficult situation of realizing she should have followed her intuition, turned it into a positive, and now shares her truth in this deeply profound book.
We can probably all say that at least once in our life we have wished we followed our own intuition. Dawn's intuition of cancer in Maggie, along with her vivid dreams, which she recalled and wrote in exquisite detail after each dream, brought to light what her gut was telling her all along.
Even though there was a time Dawn could not forgive herself for not trusting what she believed was wrong with Maggie, she took a tough life changing lesson and turned into a blessing. The blessing of helping others understand that if our intuition is telling us something about our beloved animal, to follow it, no matter what anyone else says. She also takes all the heartache (and much joy) of her life with Maggie and shares it in this deeply moving memoir that I found very hard to put down.
I laughed, reminisced, forgave myself for my own guilt with Cassie Jo, and cried for the loss of Maggie, who was a beautiful, knowing soul. At times I felt as if Maggie and Cassie Jo were twins because of the amazing spiritual lessons they taught Dawn and I.
Dawn captures the essence and spirituality of dogs, as well as, eloquently gives us her heart by sharing Maggie with all of us, and I for one, am a better person for reading their story.
What I love about Dawn Kairn is the fact that she opens her heart wide to the world in sharing Maggie's story and their journey. She took an extremely difficult situation of realizing she should have followed her intuition, turned it into a positive, and now shares her truth in this deeply profound book.
We can probably all say that at least once in our life we have wished we followed our own intuition. Dawn's intuition of cancer in Maggie, along with her vivid dreams, which she recalled and wrote in exquisite detail after each dream, brought to light what her gut was telling her all along.
Even though there was a time Dawn could not forgive herself for not trusting what she believed was wrong with Maggie, she took a tough life changing lesson and turned into a blessing. The blessing of helping others understand that if our intuition is telling us something about our beloved animal, to follow it, no matter what anyone else says. She also takes all the heartache (and much joy) of her life with Maggie and shares it in this deeply moving memoir that I found very hard to put down.
I laughed, reminisced, forgave myself for my own guilt with Cassie Jo, and cried for the loss of Maggie, who was a beautiful, knowing soul. At times I felt as if Maggie and Cassie Jo were twins because of the amazing spiritual lessons they taught Dawn and I.
Dawn captures the essence and spirituality of dogs, as well as, eloquently gives us her heart by sharing Maggie with all of us, and I for one, am a better person for reading their story.
August 15, 2017
This wasn't really a story about a dog, it was a self-serving, boastful and whining, melodramatic vanity publish. Ugh. Why do I feel like I need to take a shower after reading this book?
She writes about how hot her husband is and how sexist her stepson are. She boasts about being above motherhood in wanting to help the masses through volunteerism, and then whines about waiting until it was too late to have children and wanting sympathy. Her ideas about what motherhood is are both laughable and angering. I really hate it when people without children define what parenthood is. Getting three grown stepsons who don't really live with you does not give you expertise on being a mom. Also, you can, "... only have intimate conversations with girlfriends." She thinks men aren't capable of such things.
The writing was amateur at best. Scattered thoughts tossed on a page.
She writes about how hot her husband is and how sexist her stepson are. She boasts about being above motherhood in wanting to help the masses through volunteerism, and then whines about waiting until it was too late to have children and wanting sympathy. Her ideas about what motherhood is are both laughable and angering. I really hate it when people without children define what parenthood is. Getting three grown stepsons who don't really live with you does not give you expertise on being a mom. Also, you can, "... only have intimate conversations with girlfriends." She thinks men aren't capable of such things.
The writing was amateur at best. Scattered thoughts tossed on a page.
June 19, 2015
I could have easily done without reading this story of a loving dog, and so can you. Maggie had a good life with the people who adopted her, until she developed cancer. The cancer was cured, and her owners then went on a binge of trying to give her a better life. New, organic food was now her diet, along with acupuncture appointments. In spite of this, Maggie again developed cancer. A lot of the book is about her owner whining about her own life, and if she had only paid attention to her dreams she would have realized Maggie was sick. Instead, she listened to what a holistic vet told her and denied her own feelings that something was wrong, until it was too late. The last fourth of the book is something you can certainly skip without missing anything.
April 16, 2015
Well written and excellent story
I am a pet owner,who is feeling that somehow Miss Kairns has put into words exactly how I feel. I know the day will come when I have to make the difficult decision for my beloved pet.
This book was beautifully written,and there were times I had a hard time reading it through my tears.
For every pet owner out there, please, please read this book. It is so heart wrenching and warm, you have to read it.
I am a pet owner,who is feeling that somehow Miss Kairns has put into words exactly how I feel. I know the day will come when I have to make the difficult decision for my beloved pet.
This book was beautifully written,and there were times I had a hard time reading it through my tears.
For every pet owner out there, please, please read this book. It is so heart wrenching and warm, you have to read it.
May 13, 2015
Awesome!!!
This was a well written book. I also feel that animals are put on this earth for a reason. Dogs are so forgiving and loving. They are used for so many helpful things. They give love unconditionally and never reveal your secrets. I recommend this book to dog lovers and anyone interested in the inside scoop of the bonds between dogs and humans.
This was a well written book. I also feel that animals are put on this earth for a reason. Dogs are so forgiving and loving. They are used for so many helpful things. They give love unconditionally and never reveal your secrets. I recommend this book to dog lovers and anyone interested in the inside scoop of the bonds between dogs and humans.
March 18, 2015
I love dog books. This was an interesting story of just how bonded humans and dogs can become. I felt sorry for the author because she felt she had to spend such a long time justifying her choice not to have biological children.
December 3, 2008
Actually, I wrote this book so I'm just a bit prejudiced!
October 2, 2015
Brought back happy and sad memories of my beloved dogs ❤️❤️❤️❤️
January 18, 2017
This is by far one of my favorite books. I loved this book because it was about a human and dog relationship and I got interested by that. This is emotional and its about a love connection which I really like. Maggie: The dog who changed my life is good because it is detailed in her story with maggie and I like that. I recommend anyone to read this that likes animals, because its about the love for a animal. This is a book about the journey through their lives and how it changed them. I like this book because it can relate to people and I think thats interesting.
July 5, 2017
Good but sad
Isn't it crazy how you can love a book though it makes you weep? I suppose it was all the other emotions that the book e!!
Isn't it crazy that you love a book though it makes you weep. I suppose it is all the other emotions that it bring out that endeared it to me. The author projected her emotions about Maggie to me on every page of this book. I loved this dog and hurt when she died. If you are an animal lover and can tolerate the weeping, I highly recommend MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life. By the way, it does have a joyous ending.
Isn't it crazy how you can love a book though it makes you weep? I suppose it was all the other emotions that the book e!!
Isn't it crazy that you love a book though it makes you weep. I suppose it is all the other emotions that it bring out that endeared it to me. The author projected her emotions about Maggie to me on every page of this book. I loved this dog and hurt when she died. If you are an animal lover and can tolerate the weeping, I highly recommend MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life. By the way, it does have a joyous ending.
October 4, 2021
Heartbreaking
This book really shows the connection someone can have with an animal. I found the book lovely when talking about the relationship between Maggie and Karen. But I gave it four stars as felt that after the saddest chapter, it went on to talk about premonitions and predictions which, for me, took the focus away from the heartbreak of the storyline. The book would have been better ending there.
This book really shows the connection someone can have with an animal. I found the book lovely when talking about the relationship between Maggie and Karen. But I gave it four stars as felt that after the saddest chapter, it went on to talk about premonitions and predictions which, for me, took the focus away from the heartbreak of the storyline. The book would have been better ending there.
July 20, 2017
How a dog is always with us, even in death
I always wondered if a dog's job is done when they die. Do they get a redo button. In this book she answers these questions. I was fascinated on what she had to tell.
I always wondered if a dog's job is done when they die. Do they get a redo button. In this book she answers these questions. I was fascinated on what she had to tell.
September 15, 2017
Excellent reflection of how dogs Grace our life
This book echoes my own experiences with my soul dog/s and the radical growth I've experienced because of that four legged being.
Well written and the kind of book you do not want to put down.
This book echoes my own experiences with my soul dog/s and the radical growth I've experienced because of that four legged being.
Well written and the kind of book you do not want to put down.
May 3, 2018
Excellent book!!!
I would recommend this book to anyone who considers becoming a dog owner, but especially so to someone who g as lost a bbc.co beloved pet. It opens perceptions one would mhm ever have thought!
I would recommend this book to anyone who considers becoming a dog owner, but especially so to someone who g as lost a bbc.co beloved pet. It opens perceptions one would mhm ever have thought!
July 1, 2018
Beautiful Maggie
This was a very moving book about a spiritual connection between human and canine. I loved reading about Maggie who had such an old soul. Animals are dismissed as 'just animals' but we are also animals.
This was a very moving book about a spiritual connection between human and canine. I loved reading about Maggie who had such an old soul. Animals are dismissed as 'just animals' but we are also animals.
September 15, 2017
Free Ebook
Story about life with a dog. The trials, tribulations, joy and then loss. Told from the woman owners point of view.
Story about life with a dog. The trials, tribulations, joy and then loss. Told from the woman owners point of view.
January 22, 2019
This book will tear your heart out if you've ever had your own special dog. Great story.
May 5, 2015
"Older dogs that have lived their entire lives with someone are taken to humane societies and rescue groups for reasons as numerous as dog breeds. They have the hardest time being adopted," Dawn Kairns writes-- in one of the best of all the dog books I've read yet -- in a market full of grieving pet owners immortalizing their pet with a book. This one is filled with insight and wisdom.
“I have this feeling that our special animal friends find their way back to us after they pass on,” Dawn Kairns tells us. Pet owners the world over will believe it, or want to believe it. After losing her beloved canine companion Maggie, Kairns delved into Jung and cited evidence details about Maggie that support this consoling theory: "The collective unconscious is where we come from, we return to it when we can, and we ultimately return to it when we die."
I had just finished reading another dog lover's lament, Mark J. Ascher's "Humphrey Was Here." Interesting contrasts between the two dog owners. Ascher is more of a skeptic. This sounds like me: "If it was God's will, I wanted to know how he dispersed his tragedies -- an immediate investigation of (God's) distribution system was in order. If I had bad karma, I demanded to know what I had done in another life ... If everything happened for a reason, I wanted to know the reason now, when the pain was intense. I wanted answers; I kept coming up with questions."
But Kairns offers that spiritual consolation I can only hope-wish-hope for: "...there’s more to this world than what we experience with our limited five senses. Can it be that the spirit world is right here, but most of us lack the extrasensory abilities to perceive it?"
The book opens in a present-tense account of life with Maggie, the dog who is so much more than a pet. Later we get to the "if only I'd known" and "what if" stuff, thoughts we all suffer. One factor contributing to Maggie's untimely demise may have been the thing we believe is best for our pets. My own (former) vet scoffed at me when I pointed out the #1 ingredient in Science Diet is grain. Which one of us got the college degree in veterinary science, he said? Well, call me impudent, but I noticed our dogs fared better when they sneaked out and found fresh venison. No, it never became a staple of their diet, but their droppings clearly showed that fresh venison was easier on their digestive system. Unfortunately, their love of people food and their ability to get it (mastery of the cute, pleading face) also may have led to their pancreative failure at ages 13 and 14. For large Collies, maybe the life expectancy is rarely much better than that. And if you asked Blaise and Bailey, I'm sure they'd have opted for shorter lives than lives without chicken, roast beef, pizza and the occasional cheese puff.
Page after page of this book "speaks" to me as a mother of three and a former companion of two majestic, nearly human Collies. I kept Kindle-sharing lines that had me nodding in agreement or empathy. Rather than retype them here, I'll trust readers to find the page of Kindle Highlights.
I'm skeptical about some of the reincarnation theories but very hopeful that we will indeed meet up again with our lost loved ones, canine, feline, human, equine, or whatever, in a next life. Those who experience the "evidence" are blessed.
This book delivers the happy ending of a new adventure with another dog. So many bereft dog lovers say they'll never get another dog because of the pain of losing one again, or because no dog can replace the one who died. There are so many, many dogs out there, on death row in animal shelters, awaiting adoption. No one with the means to care for a dog has to go dog-less.
My husband is in no hurry to get another dog, but I'm ready for one to turn up, scouring the Rescue sites and local shelter listings, watching and waiting. Meanwhile, I'm one of those strangers who accosts dog owners in public: “I need a dog fix." Mine died. (Or, "We’re here on vacation, and mine is at home.”) Thanks to all of you who indulge me and let me greet your dog.
NOTE: this is one Kindle-Share that bears repeating far and wide --
"There are now several brands of high-quality pet foods made with human-grade protein as the first ingredient and without by-products or chemical preservatives. These can be found at smaller holistic pet food stores and include brands such as Canidae, Innova, Natural Balance, and Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul, among others. Flint River Ranch products can be ordered online."
Kairns recommends a diet of raw ground turkey, vegetables, grains, and beans, adding vitamin supplements and a nutritional powder of kelp, nutritional yeast, bone meal, and lecithin.
I would add that if your dog has allergies, inform the delivery guys who offer a treat to every dog who greets them. One of our Collies tested allergic to beef, brewer's yeast, and a gazillion other ingredients in dog food and treats.
“I have this feeling that our special animal friends find their way back to us after they pass on,” Dawn Kairns tells us. Pet owners the world over will believe it, or want to believe it. After losing her beloved canine companion Maggie, Kairns delved into Jung and cited evidence details about Maggie that support this consoling theory: "The collective unconscious is where we come from, we return to it when we can, and we ultimately return to it when we die."
I had just finished reading another dog lover's lament, Mark J. Ascher's "Humphrey Was Here." Interesting contrasts between the two dog owners. Ascher is more of a skeptic. This sounds like me: "If it was God's will, I wanted to know how he dispersed his tragedies -- an immediate investigation of (God's) distribution system was in order. If I had bad karma, I demanded to know what I had done in another life ... If everything happened for a reason, I wanted to know the reason now, when the pain was intense. I wanted answers; I kept coming up with questions."
But Kairns offers that spiritual consolation I can only hope-wish-hope for: "...there’s more to this world than what we experience with our limited five senses. Can it be that the spirit world is right here, but most of us lack the extrasensory abilities to perceive it?"
The book opens in a present-tense account of life with Maggie, the dog who is so much more than a pet. Later we get to the "if only I'd known" and "what if" stuff, thoughts we all suffer. One factor contributing to Maggie's untimely demise may have been the thing we believe is best for our pets. My own (former) vet scoffed at me when I pointed out the #1 ingredient in Science Diet is grain. Which one of us got the college degree in veterinary science, he said? Well, call me impudent, but I noticed our dogs fared better when they sneaked out and found fresh venison. No, it never became a staple of their diet, but their droppings clearly showed that fresh venison was easier on their digestive system. Unfortunately, their love of people food and their ability to get it (mastery of the cute, pleading face) also may have led to their pancreative failure at ages 13 and 14. For large Collies, maybe the life expectancy is rarely much better than that. And if you asked Blaise and Bailey, I'm sure they'd have opted for shorter lives than lives without chicken, roast beef, pizza and the occasional cheese puff.
Page after page of this book "speaks" to me as a mother of three and a former companion of two majestic, nearly human Collies. I kept Kindle-sharing lines that had me nodding in agreement or empathy. Rather than retype them here, I'll trust readers to find the page of Kindle Highlights.
I'm skeptical about some of the reincarnation theories but very hopeful that we will indeed meet up again with our lost loved ones, canine, feline, human, equine, or whatever, in a next life. Those who experience the "evidence" are blessed.
This book delivers the happy ending of a new adventure with another dog. So many bereft dog lovers say they'll never get another dog because of the pain of losing one again, or because no dog can replace the one who died. There are so many, many dogs out there, on death row in animal shelters, awaiting adoption. No one with the means to care for a dog has to go dog-less.
My husband is in no hurry to get another dog, but I'm ready for one to turn up, scouring the Rescue sites and local shelter listings, watching and waiting. Meanwhile, I'm one of those strangers who accosts dog owners in public: “I need a dog fix." Mine died. (Or, "We’re here on vacation, and mine is at home.”) Thanks to all of you who indulge me and let me greet your dog.
NOTE: this is one Kindle-Share that bears repeating far and wide --
"There are now several brands of high-quality pet foods made with human-grade protein as the first ingredient and without by-products or chemical preservatives. These can be found at smaller holistic pet food stores and include brands such as Canidae, Innova, Natural Balance, and Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul, among others. Flint River Ranch products can be ordered online."
Kairns recommends a diet of raw ground turkey, vegetables, grains, and beans, adding vitamin supplements and a nutritional powder of kelp, nutritional yeast, bone meal, and lecithin.
I would add that if your dog has allergies, inform the delivery guys who offer a treat to every dog who greets them. One of our Collies tested allergic to beef, brewer's yeast, and a gazillion other ingredients in dog food and treats.
September 14, 2014
Heartfelt story of love and loss
This story was wonderfully written leading readers through the kind of relationship we all want to experience with our pets. Every pet teaches us something about our selves if we are open to that lesson. What a wonderful read with tears of joy and of loss. A story to reflect on the relationships we have with our pets and humans alike.
This story was wonderfully written leading readers through the kind of relationship we all want to experience with our pets. Every pet teaches us something about our selves if we are open to that lesson. What a wonderful read with tears of joy and of loss. A story to reflect on the relationships we have with our pets and humans alike.
April 18, 2016
I was expecting the usual book of funny and emotional anecdotes about the life of a dog followed by a sad but uplifting ending.
Instead this veered between a biography about her family, a sermon on how to train and care for dogs, and a lot of stuff about Jungian dream analysis, reincarnation and other "new age" stuff.
Not really what I was expecting and not my cup of tea.
Instead this veered between a biography about her family, a sermon on how to train and care for dogs, and a lot of stuff about Jungian dream analysis, reincarnation and other "new age" stuff.
Not really what I was expecting and not my cup of tea.
July 6, 2015
Yup, animals are better than most people, no doubt.
Even though over half the book was about cancer, i couldn't put it down.
The author was kind of annoying with her 'i travel everywhere'....and i went here, and here, and then there...and we are super rich so cost and time off are not a factor..
Even though over half the book was about cancer, i couldn't put it down.
The author was kind of annoying with her 'i travel everywhere'....and i went here, and here, and then there...and we are super rich so cost and time off are not a factor..
March 19, 2011
really good read by a local colorado woman. the story of love and loss between a human and her animal companion. This woman lives in boulder. She is a terrific lady I had the pleasure of meeting.
January 13, 2015
Love
Very well written the words just flow. Story is beautiful and touching. Made me smile made me cry but left me feeling happy.
Very well written the words just flow. Story is beautiful and touching. Made me smile made me cry but left me feeling happy.
Read
May 17, 2015Maggie
Very interesting book to read. Plus I feel bad for the dog with the symptoms that it goes through.
I give it 3.7 stars
I would like my friends and family to read the book
Very interesting book to read. Plus I feel bad for the dog with the symptoms that it goes through.
I give it 3.7 stars
I would like my friends and family to read the book
June 27, 2015
This book was hard to rate. A very magical story but the writing style distracted me. I wish it hadn't been written so simplistically, still a recommend to grieving dog lovers.
January 28, 2016
Excellent book written by a local Boulder Colorado author. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who has a dog or who is thinking about getting a dog.
May 29, 2012
Wonderful book sad ending but shows you how you bond with your pets I Loved It
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews