If you want a book which looks at the loss of a pet from a completely scientific perspective, but you are not religious or spiritual, then this book is for you. I read this book, hoping it was similiar to other books I have read about loosing a loved one, but it fell completely short of giving you the comfort of your pets still being around, especially when you need that feeling the most. This author does not believe in an afterlife at all.

It is also from the perspective of someone who is more of a dog person than a cat person, and you get the feeling he feels like cats are inferior, private creatures who want to go die alone. But a few years ago, I spent a weekend with my best friend. When I came home on a Sunday, my favorite cat dragged himself into the kitchen, clearly dying. He had waited for me to say goodbye. And I do agree with this author, as much as it hurts, it is best to stay with your pet if they have to be euthanized. My cat died on the table at the veterinarian's office before they could put him out of his misery, and as awful as this memory is, I can only imagine what it would feel like for a beloved pet to die alone.

I remember twenty years ago, having to take a poetry class my first time in college. I got marked down on my score because the teacher did not agree animals could not feel emotion and I could not convince him otherwise. However, my philsophy teacher I had at the same time did. I am glad the book has mentioned this and I am glad it is not more widely recognized concept. ( )

I rarely read books about pets who die at the end. Why did I read this one? I think it was the charming cover picture of the golden retriever and gray an white cat on the cover. Loosing a pet has been very painful for me and most people. Each death has been different. My father understood me when my per budgie died and he gave me a small sturdy box which I lined with cotton balls and we had a funeral for Winky and buried him under the plum tree.

I preferred the personal and sad stories in this book to the author's musings about different aspects of the death process. Frankly, I do not care to analyze what the animal might be thinking or not thinking.

Being a vegetarian who leans towards being vegan. I have never understood why other people cannot accept my choice. I have always cared a great deal about animals that has grown to a deeper level throughout the years. I found it offensive to read about the Korean practice of raising dogs for eating. I knew about it before but I think that the author gave too much detail and stayed on the topic too long. Also the author discussed the idea of putting a dog or other animal down and expanded that to humans. That is an extremely complex and painful subject that i did not want to read about. I have formed my own ideas and will abide by them. This is just warning that it has been included in this book.

I feel empathy for the author and his family for their lost pets, I believe it is the most difficult grieving for a pet it you have had a deep and loving relationship. Is the future grief worth it? For myself, I believe it is.

I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the Publisher as a win from FirstReads but that in no way made a difference in my thoughts or feelings in this review. ( )