Book Review: “Lost Companions: Reflections on the Death of Pets” by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson Review by Terri Schlichenmeyer, The Bookworm Sez, LLC
“a deep and ancient longing” to be with one another. Such a thing “delights” Masson, perhaps because he’s had animal companions his entire life.
Yes, it’s about losing a pet, and the emotions you inevitably feel about it. But author Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson also delves deeply into the deaths of wildlife, livestock, and humans, which are not at The problem, as all animal lovers know, is all the only off-topic topics. He also writes that pets don’t live as long as people do. particularly gruesomely about dog-meat We know, the moment we get a new markets, and he touches upon veganism, fluff, that we’re going to grieve that pet and “companion” versus “owner.” To n shown here is for E&M accounting records only. It may not be what appears in the publication. someday; just thinking about it is a grief continue, the tedious, already-hashedssociation directly to confirm the accuracy of your company business information. all on its own. Masson believes that over subject of whether or not pets love 1107 Suite #350 • Chaska, MN 55318 animals are also aware of theirHazeltine mortality, Blvd, r us is brought forth again, and Masson MAS Communications but we can’t get inside their minds argues strongly against The 1-800-572-00 Final Kindess, Mary Reeves Fax: 1-952-448-9928 / Phone: to know what they think about it and saying he can’t imagine it, but admitting 465 Poplar St. within business days perhaps euthanasia isPlease utilized too respond hastily. that he’s never5 witnessed it. Mankato, MN 56001 When a pet dies, “weByare simply notI (advertising And signing below, company) am (heavy approvingsigh). my ad as is or with changes and I repres yet.... 507-387-6543 thiswant advertisement placed with all content, text, images, pictures and/or logos do not infringe on prepared for this.... we our beloved If you’ve ever a pet,property, you know copyright,We trademark, rights of literary property, andlost intellectual nor doyou they violate the rights 507-345-3816 companions to live longer.” may be other persons. I agree to indemnify andtohold harmless E&M Consulting, Inc. against need read this book, the on-point of any claims, jud surprised at the depth of the raw emotion marypreeves@mascommunications.net attorney’s fees and other expenses arising from any alleged or actual breach of this warranty. which arrives with fewer than 100 pages we feel; Masson quotes (and marvels The bowl has been washed, and 1/4food Page to go. You know you’ve been there, at) several people who say they *Colors in the grieved ad are for representational purposes only and will be brighter and more exact in th tucked away safe in a high cabinet. Full Color you be because there again, andare that and photos shown in theand ad are notmight exact, only our printers limited and once pr harder at the loss of aartwork pet than they did No one asks you to roll a ball down the maybe, possibly, there’s another way to be much improved. PAST for a human. We should, therefore, never hallway anymore. The squeak of soft ease your grief, some way you haven’t yet “belittle the grief of others” when it toys no longer interrupt your TV shows encountered. It might be here. It might. comes to pets, which includes when our these days; in fact, it’s too quiet now pets exhibit grief – and they do. Indeed. and you hate it. Even worse, there’s a Says Masson, “You could say grieving This is a three-tissue book but Masson reason why these things are so, and in makes us human, or you could also say, gives you room: it’s not a cry-fest until “Lost Companions” by Jeffrey Moussaieff grieving makes us just another animal.” quite a ways in. Keep that in mind, and Masson, you’ll read thoughts on the loss have your tear-wipes nearby: if you’ve of your pet. It’s awfully hard to determine the exact recently lost a furry loved one, “Lost point of “Lost Companions.” What a “miracle” it is that we have pets: Companions” may bowl you over. here we are, different species that feel
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