Sacred Gifts Of A Short Life: Uncovering The Wisdom Of Our Pets End Of Life Journeys - Softcover

Fernandez, Elizabeth Ann

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0692190538 ISBN 13: 9780692190531

Publisher: Wisdom Paws Publishing, 2018

Synopsis

"Sacred Gifts of a Short Life," a 152 page publication, chronicles the end of life journeys of several of Dr. Liz's patients in a way that allows us all to see death from the perspective of both profound sadness, and precious sacredness.

Sacred Gifts of a Short Life takes us on an exploration of some of the difficult questions surrounding the end of life journeys of our furry loved ones. Honest, pragmatic, compassionate, empowering and refreshing, it answers questions such as: Is it time? Is surgery the best option? How do I know if my loved one is suffering? Am I selfish? Does my loved one have any quality of life? What right do I have to take a life?

Through real life examples, readers are inspired and guided to trust the "inner knowing," and are invited to look beyond the ideas of right and wrong, recognizing that each decision must be based on the exact circumstances in the moment.

One of the most profound gifts our pets offer us is an invitation for us to acknowledge death, embrace it, dance with it, live with it and ultimately die into it. Sacred Gifts of a Short Life gives us the tools to navigate this very personal journey. For those in the veterinary profession, those working with rescue organizations or within any other animal support field, death is seen up close and often. Without a good relationship with death, this can take a toll on ones psyche. Sacred Gifts of a Short Life is an invitation to approach life in a way that allows us to open to a healthy and sustainable relationship the mortality of others and also ourselves.

In celebration of our furry loved ones, those non profits who work in support of them, and those who dedicate themselves through non profit endeavors to supporting anyone negotiating these uncharted waters into formlessness, Sacred Gifts of a Short Life is intended to be used as an instrument to champion their efforts.

Animal lovers, veterinary professionals and those who work in grief counseling and bereavement have shared how profoundly grateful they are to have this book as a resource for those in need. Roy Rosenblatt shares "Cast in the light of its author's insightful commentaries, we come to see that we do have choices, and it is in the embrace of this shift of perception that Sacred Gift allows us to find our way to surrendering resistance." Bernadine Cruz, DVM acknowledges "This book will help me to better attend to the needs of my clients, their pets and equally important, me." Kathleen Ayl, Psy.D. Certified Compassion Fatigue and Pet Loss Recovery Specialist offered, "Liz is an amazing writer and a beautiful soul and this comes out very clearly in her book. I will be recommending it to my clients, and anyone faced with impending loss of a loved family member, as well as the specialists, veterinarians, and technicians with whom I work."

Death invites us to open to Love as formlessness. Birth brings Love into form. Both Birth and Death are essential for LIFE. When we find our way to fully accepting and embracing death on its terms we are gifted with a fierce Grace that opens our hearts in ways we never imagined possible. This book is an offering on how to say yes to allowing our hearts to be broken open by death to make more space for Love to flow, bringing a vitality to living that is irrepressible.

About this title

About the Author

Listening to the call of her heart from an early age, the author chose to pursue a life's work based on what she loved. From as early as age six she was passionate about animals and medicine. By age eight she was clear that she would be a veterinarian. After graduating from veterinary school in 1982 she worked in emergency medicine for many years. This experience, and the loss of both parents within a few years of graduating formed a foundation for seeing an abundance of end of life scenarios and the ensuing emotional challenges. In late 2001, trusting the voice within to guide her, she was inspired to study Chinese Veterinary Medicine. Over a period of several years she transitioned from the intensity of western emergency medicine to the intimacy of holistic housecall and acupuncture practice. The patient demographic of this type of practice lends itself to the geriatric patient. Thus the emphasis on end of life narratives. During this same time she was introduced to Adyashanti, a spiritual teacher with no specific religious affiliation, who offered a very clear and simple perspective about death. Resonating with these deep truths she began to share this wisdom with clients. Most often words would simply flow unbidden from her lips finding a receptive ear that would immediately find comfort and resonance with the truth of what had been spoken. Witnessing these occurrences, she began to reiterate these ideas with others, to the same effect. It was some time after that, that she found herself surrounded more and more with clients searching for ways to navigate these end of life issues. The volume of these situations brought with it much sadness. After some soul searching she asked what this sadness wanted of her. The answer that came through was that this book wanted to be written. As if to reenforce this, more than one client literally shared with her that she should "write a book"! So it became evident that this book was to be birthed. www.lizfernandezdvm.com

Review

Sacred Gifts of a Short Life is the perfect title for stories that hold especially precious ways for us to celebrate life and honor what is lost. Grief defies easy "processing." One loss is often linked to another. In these places that are so achingly painful, there is opportunity to own and honor our experiences as uniquely ours. There is also the glimpse into our common stories and shared existence, a place of deep compassion. And a place of healing. "Sacred Gifts of a Short Life." Indeed! Dr. Carrie La Jeunesse, DVM, Certified in Thanatology (Death/Dying/Bereavement), Certified Compassion Fatigue Educator, Loss and Longing

Liz has an amazing was of capturing the essence of this life force surrounding transition in life stages. I thought I gave a 'good death experience' to my clients, but I now see that I can do much more. It will help me to better attend to the needs of my clinets, thier pets and equally important me. Bernadine Cruz DVM host of the internet based radio show 'The Pet Doctor'

This is a very sensitive and important topic. The stories are beautiful and touching. Liz has put her heart and soul into this wonderful book. Dr. Huisheng Xie Veterinarian-- Founder and President Chi Institute of Chinese Veterinary Medicine

Liz is an amazing writer and a beautiful soul and this comes out very clearly in her book. Very few books impress me as this one has. I will be recommending it to my clients, and anyone faced with the impending loss of a family member, as well as the specialists, veterinarians, and technicians with whom I work. Kathleen Ayl, PsyD, Certified Compassion Fatigue and Pet Loss REcovery Specialist

By Reading Sacred Gifts of a Short Life, we can prepare ourselves to be there for our pets in a way that honors the gift of unconditional love they have given us. With exquisite insight, Dr. Liz Fernandez takes us gently by the hand and shows us how to mindfully accompany our beloved pets through thier sacred endo fo life journey. Dennis Merritt jones Award winnign author of The Art of Uncertainty- How to Live in the Mystery of Life and Love It, and Your (Re) Defining Moments- Becoming Who You Were Born To Be.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wisdom Paws Publishing
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 0692190538
• ISBN 13: 9780692190531
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 154