Thursday, June 04, 2009

REVIEW: Angel Animals Book of Inspiration

Angel Animals Book of Inspiration: Divine Messages of Wisdom and Compassion
by Allen & Linda Anderson
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: New World Library (Second Edition, May 12, 2009)

AngelAnimals

No matter how religious or spirtual you consider yourself, if you are an animal lover at heart, you will enjoy Angel Animals Book of Inspiration. This is a collection of heart warming, extraordinary stories about a variety of animals helping people to remember that they are never alone — or abandoned. And, they are all true stories.

The stories within Angel Animals are organized into four main parts — Love, Wisdom, Courage and Comfort — truly the "parts" of that special bond between human and animal. Through my own personal love of animals and my work with rescue dogs, I've learned about that extra special part... that unconditional love we receive from our four-legged friends. There is nothing else like it.

There are truly animals among us who have found a purpose in life — comforting the humans in their lives and teaching them about love and compassion. I'm among the first to stand up and attest to the fact that many animals truly know and understand more than we humans ever realize.

Some of the stories will make you laugh, while others will leave you with tears in your eyes, but each one will open your heart to new revelations of love and compasion. Dogs, cats, horses, ferrets, birds, rabbits, snakes, dolphins, llamas — you'll find them all in Angel Animals. The stories told about them reveal compassion, teach hope and forgiveness, and serve as a barometer to measure feelings.

As I stated, no matter how religious you are — or are not — if you are an animal lover, grab this book and enjoy the stories of the heart. While you're at it, grab an extra to pass along to a friend or two...

The following is an excerpt from Angel Animals...

ANGEL ANIMALS
Max’s Miracle of Love

Meg MacZura-Betts ~ Granite City, Illinois

For ten years, my dad and mom enjoyed the companionship of my family’s black-and-tan cocker spaniel, Max. With his white beard and chest and his big black eyes, he looked like he was wearing a tuxedo and ready for a party. Until my father became ill, my parents babysat Max every day while my husband and I worked.

Eventually, Dad fell into a coma and was hospitalized. One day when the nurses doubted that he would survive the night, they prepared our family for his death. Knowing the special bond between my father and Max, I decided to ask his nurse if I could bring the dog to see him. Much to our surprise, the visit was approved. On the night of my father’s expected demise, a hospital security staff member escorted us to the intensive care unit.

When I placed Max next to my father, the dog immediately covered Dad’s face and neck with wet kisses. As we all stood and watched this display of love, my father’s head suddenly began to move from side to side. Miraculously, a smile appeared on his face. He knew his Max was there and he seemed to be aware of his family, too!

Much to everyone’s amazement, Dad’s vital signs began to return to normal. He survived that night after Max’s visit, and lived to see many more.

As word spread of this miracle of love between man and animal, Max and Dad became instant celebrities in the hospital. Max was given unlimited visitation rights to see his grandpa, and staff from throughout the hospital visited to witness my father’s pet therapy. For the next several months, Max could be found lying across my father’s lap.

Even the best medicines and miracles couldn’t keep my father alive forever, and we eventually lost him. But the bond between my father and Max lives on. Whenever we visit Dad’s grave site, Max sniffs the area and then lies across the grave.

Our family calls Max our hero. We believe this dog is a wonderful example of how a miracle can be created through love.

From the book Angel Animals Book of Inspiration. Copyright © 2003 by Allen and Linda Anderson. Reprinted with permission of New World Library, Novato, CA.
http://www.newworldlibrary.com/

About the Authors: Allen and Linda Anderson are founders of the Angel Animals Network, inspirational speakers and bestselling authors of several books, including Angel Cats, Angel Dogs and Angel Horses. They share a home in Minneapolis with their family of animals and donate a portion of the sale of their books to animal welfare organizations. You can find out more about them at their website.

2 comments:

SissySees said...

Sounds like a must-read!

Natalie Rush said...

Sounds like something I'd like to read! :)

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