Product Description

A Different Kind of Love Story

When Mary Beth Crain lost her husband of only three years to cancer, she though she would never again know the meaning of the word happiness. Inconsolable, she couldn't imagine anything with the power to draw her out of the seemingly bottomless pit of grief.

But there was a savior - or two - on the horizon, in the form of President Harry S. Truman, Mary Beth's idol, from whose practical wisdom she had always drawn strength, and his namesake, Truman, a three-pound Chihuahua. Drawing upon Harry Truman's wise words, and the small but powerful furry presence that brightened her world, Crain shares her experience of overcoming loss by finding inspiration and joy in both her dog and a former president who was the embodiment of common sense, integrity, and optimism.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1127893 in Books
• Published on: 2000-05
• Released on: 2000-05-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 201 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Five months after her husband died of lung cancer, Crain bought a Chihuahua to break the stranglehold of devastating grief, despair and depression that gripped her. Her vivacious new puppy gave unconditional love, kept her occupied and helped her heal. While canine therapy may not be for everyone, this charming story offers many insights into the grieving process, as Crain describes how she resigned herself to loss, worked through anger and guilt, and rediscovered a sense of purpose. She named her dog Truman, after the president she admired for his down-to-earth character, his integrity, his indefatigable energy, his lifelong love for wife Bess and his fortitude in the face of adversity. Some of these same traits imbue her feisty, loyal Chihuahua and his winsome ways. Dog owners will identify with Crain's account of raising a pup that gnaws furniture legs, runs into neighbors' houses and drops out of obedience school. A cat lover, the author faced another tragedy when one of her three cats died in a car accident. Crain, who writes for L.A. Weekly, is also coauthor of Angel Wisdom and Angel Courage; her dog story has its share of psychic messages and mystical coincidences, plus a transcendent union with her husband's soul on his deathbed. Disarming candor and sprightly humor should endear her quirky book to anyone coping with the loss of a loved oneAor with the acquisition of a demanding pet. Agent, Loretta Barrett. (May)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
Another delightful example of how pets can contribute to and sometimes change the lives of people. This is important stuff. -- --Mary Tyler Moore, actress and author

About the Author

Mary Beth Crain is a journalist and coauthor of Angel Wisdom, Angel Courage, andThe Tao of Negotiation. She shares her home and her heart with Truman the Chihuahua and three very large cats.

Customer Reviews

Good Grief!
Is there anything good that can possibly come from the experience of grief? While most grief books often focus decidely on the grim, this author finds humor to be a healer of her heart. If you are grieving, you too will find something to smile about as you read her story of recovery from the loss of her husband through taking on a new pet and embracing the wisdom of her most-admired president, Harry Truman. This book transcends its categorization, however, as a grief recovery book. Anyone would enjoy it!

A Perfect Little Book
This wonderful treasure of a book will have you laughing out loud one minute and reaching for the kleenex the next. It doesn't matter if you have lost someone dear to you or not, whether you own a dog or even if you know nothing about Harry Truman, this book's universal theme of finding your way back after a loss of any kind, will stay with you long after the last page. I can't recommend it highly enough.

A great story that has meaning
I really related to this story as I too, lost my husband two years ago with cancer. Also my chihuahuas and cats and birds have been my salvation. I really understand where this lady is coming from. She did an excellant job of relating the real feelings one experiences with a death of a loved one. My hat is off to Mary Beth as a really great writer and may she find the happiness she deserves. I too, believe there is a connection with dog and God.Carole