Book Review: “Lost Companions

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 Yes, it’s about losing a pet, and the one another. Such a thing “delights” emotions you inevitably feel about it. But Masson, perhaps because he’s had animal author Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson also companions his entire life. delves deeply into the deaths of wildlife, The problem, as all animal lovers know, is that pets don’t live as long as people do. We know, the moment we get a new livestock, and humans, which are not at all the only off-topic topics. He also writes particularly gruesomely about dog-meat markets, and he touches upon veganism, 2019 Minnesota Funeral Directors Association Membership Directory fluff, that we’re going to grieve that pet and “companion” versus “owner.” To someday; just thinking about it is a grief all on its own. Masson believes that animals are also aware of their mortality, continue, the tedious, already-hashedover subject of whether or not pets love us is brought forth again, and Masson Sign & Return Proof To: E&M Consulting, Inc. 1107 Hazeltine Blvd, Suite #350 • Chaska, MN 55318MAS CommunicationsAdvertiser Company information shown here is for E&M accounting records only. It may not be what appears in the publication. Please contact the association directly to confirm the accuracy of your company business information. The food bowl has been washed, and tucked away safe in a high cabinet. No one asks you to roll a ball down the hallway anymore. The squeak of soft toys no longer interrupt your TV shows these days; in fact, it’s too quiet now and you hate it. Even worse, there’s a but we can’t get inside their minds to know what they think about it and perhaps euthanasia is utilized too hastily. When a pet dies, “we are simply not prepared for this.... we want our beloved companions to live longer.” We may be surprised at the depth of the raw emotion we feel; Masson quotes (and marvels at) several people who say they grieved harder at the loss of a pet than they did for a human. We should, therefore, never “belittle the grief of others” when it comes to pets, which includes when our pets exhibit grief – and they do. argues strongly against The Final Kindess, saying he can’t imagine it, but admitting that he’s never witnessed it. And yet.... (heavy sigh). If you’ve ever lost a pet, you know you need to read this book, the on-point of which arrives with fewer than 100 pages to go. You know you’ve been there, and you might be there again, and that maybe, possibly, there’s another way to ease your grief, some way you haven’t yet encountered. It might be here. It might. Indeed. Fax: 1-952-448-9928 / Phone: 1-800-572-0011 Please respond within 5 business days By signing below, I (advertising company) am approving my ad as is or with changes and I represent and warrant that this advertisement placed with all content, text, images, pictures and/or logos do not infringe on any other person’s copyright, trademark, rights of literary property, and intellectual property, nor do they violate the rights of privacy of, or libel other persons. I agree to indemnify and hold harmless E&M Consulting, Inc. against any claims, judgments, court costs, attorney’s fees and other expenses arising from any alleged or actual breach of this warranty. *Colors in the ad are for representational purposes only and will be brighter and more exact in the final product. Also artwork and photos shown in the ad are not exact, only because our printers are limited and once printed, the quality will be much improved. Mary Reeves 465 Poplar St. Mankato, MN 56001 507-387-6543 507-345-3816 marypreeves@mascommunications.net 1/4 Page Full Color PAST reason why these things are so, and in Says Masson, “You could say grieving This is a three-tissue book but Masson “Lost Companions” by Jeffrey Moussaieff makes us human, or you could also say, gives you room: it’s not a cry-fest until Masson, you’ll read thoughts on the loss grieving makes us just another animal.” quite a ways in. Keep that in mind, and of your pet. What a “miracle” it is that we have pets: here we are, different species that feel It’s awfully hard to determine the exact point of “Lost Companions.” have your tear-wipes nearby: if you’ve recently lost a furry loved one, “Lost Companions” may bowl you over.