Laurel Hunt Books

Little Pearls, an Asheville-based nonprofit film-maker specializing in “tiny films,” has produced a beautiful, one-minute long “Dog Pearl,” that conveys a comforting and spiritual message about pet loss. The film was inspired by the death of Katie, a dog belonging to Little Pearls’ creative director. This poignant meditation, filmed on a beautiful mountaintop bald near Asheville, depicts a vision of Katie running joyful and free. Click here to view this lovely “Dog Pearl.”

Gidget, the adorable Chihauhua who starred in the Taco Bell commercials, has died of a stroke at age 15. The memorable commercials aired from 1997 to 2000. Like many Hollywood pets, Gidget was cared for at the VCA Coast Pet Clinic in Hermosa Beach, CA, the same hospital where my dogs were treated for cancer.

“She made so many people happy,” said Gidget’s trainer, Sue Chipperton, in a People.com post. Mostly retired, Gidget lived out her days lying in the sun – “I like to joke that it’s like looking after a plant,” said Chipperton – and entertaining at shoots when her trainer brought her along. “Gidget,” said Chipperton, “always knew where the camera was.” May Gidget be remembered for the smiles  she spread around the world.

In my last post I wrote about looking up at the Dog Star in the early morning sky, a ritual I found healing following the loss of Byron and Emily. I mentioned that objects with star motifs began appearing in my life, as if the dogs were letting me know that we are still connected. Thus, I was surprised and delighted to come across a new book, Pawprints in the Stars; a Farewell and Journal for a Beloved Pet written and illustrated by Warren Hanson (Tristan Publishing, 2008). (more…)

Following the loss of Marmaduke and Molly, I embarked on a project to compile poems and tributes to dogs that had died. I found them in out of print books and out of the way places. Most of the tributes that were ultimately published in Angel Pawprints; Reflections on Loving and Losing a Canine Companion were written in the early 1900s, although I included a few contemporary poems as well. Through this project I became a collector of antiquarian dog books, vintage photos of dogs, and quotes about dogs. I never tire of reading about dogs and the countless ways in which they enrich our lives. Thus, I was delighted to find this treasure, a new book called Dog Blessings; Poems, Prose, and Prayers Celebrating Our Relationship with Dogs, edited by June Cotner. (more…)

It’s been fifteen years since that Easter Sunday when I burst into tears at the sight of lilies surrounding the altar.  I was standing at the back of the church, looking over the crowded pews for a place to sit, and there were those dozens of lilies, each one representing the loss of a loved one. Tears started rolling down my cheeks. Clutching my bulletin, I rushed past the startled ushers and left the church, my head down, fumbling in my purse for my sun glasses to hide the tears. After that, it was a long time before I could get through a church service without crying. Even now, sometimes the music will bring tears. I’ve learned to have a tissue in my purse. I’ve learned also that it’s okay to honor the memory of a pet in church. (more…)