Spirit Dogs: Heroes Return - Softcover

Kelleher, Susan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0965049574 ISBN 13: 9780965049573

Publisher: Owl of Athene Press, 2013

Synopsis

This is the third book in the Spirit Dogs Trilogy. The group of five dogs is back on Earth, living in the same neighborhood. Ivan is destined to become a search and rescue dog of such magnitude that he will take the leadership position in Dog Heaven. He and his neighbor dogs find themselves once again facing the evil forces that they encountered in the form of Garmr, the leader of Dog Hell in Spirit Dogs: Life Between Lives. Readers follow Ivan's adventures with the reincarnated dog spirits that he grew to love in Dog Heaven as they, together, face an abusive father in one dog's home and Ivan's training as a handicapped FEMA I service dog, all of which lead to his ultimate test.

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

Josie's pain was too great, and she had lost most of her dignity. Susan Kelleher helped hold her fourteen-year-old retriever as the long-time companion nuzzled into her son Alex's lap, and the vet administered the injection. Alex and his mom wept for an hour, and then they took Josie to the woods to leave her in peace.

Susan Kelleher knows what it is to lose the undemanding friend of a lifetime. With the understanding of this experience and the knowledge of so many others, she presents us with a wonderfully lyrical look at the death of a family pet. She has given us the very real sense of the transition that takes us and our companions to a place and time beyond the moment of passing to offer us the promise of peace, acceptance, and tranquility.

Susan's is a story of the sadness of loss and the poignant acceptance of the peace that comes with the knowledge that such a loss leads us to another plain of reality. In this short, real celebration of life, Susan affirms the richness of the lives we live with our pets and shows us the rewards that remain for those of us who have the courage to look beyond the loss and see the promise of life.

Susan sings a song of peace and the acceptance that comes with passing.

Susan Kelleher's MS in psychology and her MFA in creative writing serve her extraordinarily well in this short, diamond of a story. She helps us understand our loves and losses by drawing from the heartfelt events of her own family.

Rod Lawrence, the artist, brings added depth to the story with his superb illustrations. He is the only artist to have won both the Michigan Trout Stamp and Michigan Duck Stamp contests in the same year. His portrait of the beloved Josie hangs in Susan's office, a constant reminder of how those we loved challenge us to live.

From the Back Cover:

"Losing my little dog, Dolly, left such a hole in my heart. Was she gone forever? After reading this little book, I believe that I will see her again someday." Mary Harper, The Dalles, Oregon. "This story is very heartwarming and is filled with hope and faith. We look forward to using it in our pet loss support groups to help in the healing process after the loss of a beloved pet." Human-Animal Bond Trust, Denver, CO. "I've had the privilege of getting to know a few dogs just like the spirits in this story. Dogs are such wonderful companions, we may not realize how much they enrich our lives while they are with us. This story may help you say goodbye to a beloved companion." Thomas J Fatora, DVM, Frisco, CO. "I find this story very helpful for those who are suffering the loss of their pet. This story has brought hope to many." George G. Metzger, DVM, Green Bay, WI. "This is a heartwarming fantasy that brings hope to all who have loved and lost a special canine friend." Sally Terroux, Terroux Dog Training, Denver, CO.

About this edition

• Publisher: Owl of Athene Press
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0965049574
• ISBN 13: 9780965049573
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 384