Customer Reviews
Comforting, yet confusing 
2008-05-20
I agree with many of the other reviewers in that this book does provide some comfort when you are grieving the loss of a beloved pet. However, I bought it with my then 4 year old daughter in mind who was devasted over the loss of our 15 year old pomeranian. I tried many times to explain to her about death by saying that the body doesn't work anymore. When we read the book, it described a beautiful place in dog heaven where our dogs were running and playing with other dogs. My daughter couldn't understand how our dog was running and playing if her body stopped working. And if she was, in fact, running and playing, why couldn't she come home to us? It seemed to confuse her very much and she couldn't understand why our dog was having fun somewhere without us. Before you buy this book, consider how much your child knows and understands about death and whether it will comfort or confuse them. My heart goes out to all those grieving the loss of their pet - it was and still is a heartbreaking experience.
beautiful book! 
2008-04-21
This is a great book for adults and children alike. We had to put our 9 year old dog down and our 4 year old daughter just did not understand. this is a such a great book. it helped both our daughter and me and my husband heal. I suggest this book for sure!
Beautifully Written 2008-04-11
I was in Books-A-Million browsing the children's books when I picked this one up. Although I am 25 years old I was intrigued by the title and the beautiful picture on the front. I just lost my best friend, my yellow lab of 12 years, in August 2007. I read through this book and bawled the entire time. Not because it made me sad, but because it made me so happy and it was absoultely touching. It is the perfect book for anyone who has lost their best FURiend. :o) CHildren would love it and so would adults. It also talks about dogs who never had homes on earth, which was so special to me because I am an aniaml lover, not just a pet lover. I highly recommend this book for ANY age group.
Wonderful for the family 2008-03-13
Our beloved family member (dog) of 16 years recently died. We have two small children 9 & 5 who have loved her all their life. This was a great way to explain to the children what had happended. It was also good for our dogs best friend and he loved it too. Great book.
There's a dog heaven and all's right with the world 2008-03-01
"Dog Heaven" and Cat Heaven, both written and illustrated by Cynthia Rylant, should allay the fears and reward the wish that dogs and cats do, indeed, go to heaven. And just how does Ms Rylant know, when the Bible makes no mention of animals in heaven?
The artist used the color palette that God gave artists--vibrant, vivid, and various! The cover illustration gives an idea of this vibrancy. It also shows the first reward God gives dogs in heavens--open fields to run and run and run in. No fences, no leashes, no limits--just freedom to run and chase and dream. There are also clouds turned inside out for the comfort of dog naps and no bad dreams!
Look at the dogs running along the banks of a lake, barking and yapping away at the hissing geese, safely paddling in the waters. And over there, peeking from behind the tree is God Himself, enjoying the sight of such sheer joy! In the kitchen God makes treats for happy dogs and never runs out.
If a dog wants to go back to Earth for a visit to his old home, an angel accompanies him. When the dog is satisfied that all is well, he and the angel return to Heaven. The strays who had no homes are given ones in Heaven, where angel children tell them what good dogs they are all day long.
If someone you love loses a dear and fine cat or dog, a gift of one of these books would do much to lessen the emotional pain of that loss. The ashes of my beloved Marie, a marmalade and white tabby, who died after seventeen precious years with me, rests in a treasure box next to my bed, while her spirit soars in Cat Heaven.
Helped explain our dog's passing 2008-07-09
This book was very appropriate for my 4 year old, colorful pictures, easy to understand ideas about what dog heaven is like. Very positive, but mentions that the dog will miss you and you will miss him, but he is having fun and will always love the child. It had me in tears and it allowed my son to be able to ask more specific questions after reading the book so he was able to understand the loss better. It helped us explain a hard to understand event in a young child's life, thank you!
Good for anyone who has lost a friend 2008-07-06
As an adult a bookstore clerk offered me this book when my dog died, it helped me so much I've often given it as a gift to friends who have lost their animals.
How do you explain Angel Children? 2008-06-02
I bought this book to help my 4.5 year old grieve for our 17 year old lab who died a couple of weeks ago. The illustrations are beautiful and the tone is soothing; but, I found myself at an uncomfortable loss to explain where the angel children came from--my daughter wanted to know if they were there because they had died too. This is was much more than I thought needed to be explained at this point. Our family is spiritual but not religious and haven't had long discussions with our daughter about God, other than to explain the existence of different religions and the need for understanding and tolerance of all beliefs. Had I known that God was going to be such a centerpiece of the story, I probably would not have purchased the book. I think for the right family, it is a wonderful story. Unfortunately, it didn't work for us.
We also read Forever Dog which was recommended by my daughter's school and it was perfect for our needs.
Great gift 2008-05-26
I keep two copies of this book on hand at all times. It is the perfect gift for any dog lover when a favorite pet dies. It is appropriate for adults and children alike.
More than a good book, a beautiful story for any child who has lost a dog 2008-05-23
We were given this when our dog died. It made the tragedy of losing our dog a little easier. Our kids' sadness goes away when they think that "Shane" is now in "Dog Heaven" chasing ducks and running and splashing with his dog buddies. Thank you Cynthia Rylant. This is a fun and beautiful book. Great for ages 1-8.
