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A selection of book photos

Rainbow Tears: Reflections of Pet Loss, Grief and Healing
                                                          
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 Click cover for large image.
  Compiled by Alan Blain Cunningham RRT, MS, PhD, DVM, MD, MPH, Certified Pet Loss Grief Counselor
  Drawings by Arianna Alexis & Lisa Hull. Back Cover Art by Arianna Alexis                    
  Copyright September 2009  List Price $24.95   Soft Cover 8.5 x 11  315p Many Drawings.  
  Agreka™ Books 1-934243-05-1 978-1-934243-05-3
Library of Congress Control Number 2009932660

  Introduction  Aspen  Table of Contents   The Author 

              See  Books About Precious Pets for more books by this author. 

Dedication

"To my beloved animal companions, who were and are my lifelong friends"

Introduction

In 2002 my beloved animal companion, Pug, died. Initially I had purchased her for my father who was wheelchair bound. But I soon discovered that the tiny Boston Terrier, with the large almond-shaped, brown eyes, had become mine. Her delicate heart strings wrapped tightly around my soul. We became inseparable. Time passed and my father died. Then four years later, Pug died. Pug’s death was devastating to me. In some ways it felt like I had lost my father again. I felt isolated and guilty in my grief. After all, I was a veterinarian. If only . . . I should have been able to save her from pain and death.

Fleeting suicidal moments crossed my mind -- sad, lonely times that seemed unbearable. If not for the support of my other animals, and a few good friends, I would have succumbed. Restitution occurred when I let go and wrote the happy moments of Pug’s life as it intertwined with mine. In two weeks her story "Sleeping With Angels" was completed and later published.

The book was read worldwide. And as a result, people shared their animal stories with me and I compiled those stories into other books and seven years later the stories have come full circle.

Now I look fondly at the past and remember the many stories of cherished animals that people have shared with me. And I realize that the stepping stone journey has made me a better person.

These are a few of the cherished stories that I have chosen to share one more time, with those that grieve the loss of a beloved animal companion. May it help with the healing process.

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Aspen

by Alan Cunningham

She seemed to laugh and dance when I first saw her. The little black dog in the cage. She watched me intently, not letting go with her eyes. "I’m here. Do you see me? Please come over here and play," she appeared to beg.
    How could I not notice her. "What's wrong with your leg?" I asked. Her left front leg dangled uselessly.
    "Don't bother with that , I have three other good legs. Just let me out so I can play with you. We could have such fun! I know we could."
    "Okay, little girl. But you must stay by my side. The management might not like it if I let you run, carelessly, around the Humane Society. There are so many other animals here that we must think of."
    "Come on then."
    She eagerly stepped from her cage and began to dance around me like a healthy pup not even fearing or knowing that she missed the use of her left front leg.
    "We'll just play for a little bit then I must put you back. I have other animals to tend to."
    She didn't want to go back, but she did, apparently happy with the short amount of time we shared together.
    As I left her I wondered her story. Why the untimely fate for a four-month-old Black Lab puppy?

"Dr. Cunningham," the senior veterinarian called. "You seem to be attached to the Lab pup. I thought it might be a learning experience for you to amputate her bad leg. It can't be saved. The bones are crushed and the leg is severely infected. You could do the surgery this afternoon. She hasn't been fed yet. Are you interested?"
Pause. . . .
   "Normally we would have euthanized her by now. But she is such a friendly little thing. I think we should be able to find a good home for a three legged dog," she encouraged.
I wanted the best for the pup but was hesitant. The surgery was complex and I was uncertain. I was just a new veterinarian. My only experience with the amputation of a front leg was on a written anatomy exam. And I knew the brachial plexus, underneath the scapula, was a complicated network of vessels, and nerves that must be carefully avoided.
    "Sure," I slowly responded. "I'll have one of the other veterinarians review the surgical approach with you. You'll do fine."
    The little girl's life was in my hands. And I ever so carefully dissected out the scapula, tied off all bleeders, removed the entire leg including the shoulder blade, and carefully resutured the axillary muscles and connective tissue and skin that were positioned protectively over the brachial plexus. I was curious to watch the muscles twitch, for several minutes, on the amputated leg as if it had a life of its own.
    Then I stood back and hopefully watched as the pup was awakened from the anesthetic. Slowly she opened her eyes, and cautiously looked around. When her eyes fell upon me she began to wag her tail as if to say, "thank you friend, I knew we could do it."
    At that moment something miraculous happened to me. Something so rare, yet so uplifting. I could not deny it. A sense of calmness, confidence, trust, and friendship all surrounded by quiet beauty. She had freely given that to me. And because of that I became a better person. A more complete veterinarian. And I knew, at that instant, she was my joy, my blessing to care for, for the rest of her life. She would come home with me. She must be repaid for the trust that she so generously gave to me.
. . . Read more in the book.

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Table of Contents

Section One
Reflections of Pet Loss Pug by Alan Cunningham
Inside This Fragile Tear by Alan Cunningham
Two Traveling Gypsies by Tess Ramos RN
Angel by Alan Cunningham
Angel’s Eyes by Alan Cunningham
Annie by Thomas Bacon
The Eternal Whistler Author Unknown
In Memory of Annie by Leslie Menard
When the Time Comes. . . Author Unknown
Aspen by Alan Cunningham
Softly Falling Like Snow by Alan Cunningham
Long Dusty Road by Judy Reimschiissel
For My Sweet Little Baby Girl by Amanda Heard and Alan Cunningham
Beauregard by Laura Taylor RN
Fragile Tears by Alan Cunningham
Wings to Fly by Isabel M. Gordon
Belker Author Unknown
Bennie’s Story by Frances Charein/Lampert
I Stood By Your Bed Last Night Author Unknown
Seasons Change by Alan Cunningham
Bruiser, the Cat by Alan Cunningham
Four Feet in Heaven Author Unknown
Buddy by Boyd Petrie
A Eulogy for Buddy by Boyd Petrie
Where Are You? by Kelsey Pitts
Gone Too Soon by June Petrie RN
My First Best Friend by James Colasanti Jr.
Tribute To A Best Friend Author Unknown
Dogs and Heaven Author Unknown
Cassie by James P. Lamoreaux MD
When Tomorrow Starts Without Me by Author Unknown
The Cruelest Miles A Tribute to the Sled Dogs Togo and Balto,
Two Siberian Huskies by Alan Cunningham
Danny The Best Dog by Kathy Luque
Zinnias by Carole Adair
She Is Gone Author Unknown
The Dogs of War by Alan Cunningham
The Bridge Described by Tracey Jones, Veterinary Technician
Mr. Paper Described by Alan Cunningham
Bruiser Described by Alan Cunningham
When You Think of Liberty, Think of Me by Kathy Anne Harris
George, Our Pekingese by Ann Shields
Just A Dog Author Unknown
Only a Dog Author Unknown
Greyfriar’s Bobby Author Unknown
Gypsy by Alan Cunningham
Invisible by Alan Cunningham
Herzogs “Gizer” idnight Energizer by Andalynn Hansen
Gringo by Tracey Jones, Veterinary Technician
I’m Not Here Author Unknown
Heidi, Like A Person – In a Gray Fur Coat by Debby McMullen
God’s Creatures Author Unknown
Her Name Was Just Plain Jane by Virginia Treptow
Last Gift by Mariah Woodson, Veterinary Technician
Our Love by Alan Cunningham
Judy, My Beautiful Girl by Debbie Pedersen, Veterinary Technician
Cycle Song of Life Arranged by James Durst
Kahlil, Our Burmese Cat by Kathy Luque
If It Should Be Author Unknown
Kia & Sergeant Smith, A Special Bond by Tracey Jones, Veterinary Technician
Dog’s Prayer by Beth Norman Harris
Katie by Kathy S. Howell DVM
All Love and Heaven Too! by James Colasanti Jr.
Angels of Katrina by Alan Cunningham
Time Will Make it Right by Alan Cunningham
Kujo, The Little Warrior by Tracey Jones, Veterinary Technician
A Locket of Your Hair by Alan Cunningham
Spring Begets Them All by Alan Cunningham
The Story of Lou by Kathy Luque
Lou’s Song to Kathy by Alan Cunningham
Nicki, A Letter by Rhonda F. Rhoades
When I am Old Author Unknown
Nikki, My Little Shadow by Faun Day
Nicky’s Life Was Way Too Short by Doug Robinson, The Deseret News columnist
Old Dogs Do Not Die Author Unknown
I Am Your Dog Author Unknown
One Step by Alan Cunningham
I Only Wanted You Author Unknown
Oso by Ann Shields
Don’t Cry For Me Author Unknown
My Best Friend Pepper by Ashley Sprankle
Pluto: A Dog and His Boy by J. R. Gray as narrated to his nephew Alan Cunningham
Lend Me a Pup Author Unknown
Puffer by Jane Meyer
I looked for a message by Alan Cunningham
The Fourth Day by Martin Scot Kosins
Ramses by Misty Payne, Veterinary Technician
And If I Go Author Unknown
Reggie by Laura Taylor RN
A Bridge Called Love Author Unknown
Doggie Heaven by A. C. (Ace) Avery
Salute to the Dogs Man’s Best Friend
My Life with Sam by Ursula Bechert DVM, PhD
The Cat’s Prayer Author Unknown
Sarahbelle by Anne Reynolds
Sarahbelle and Teenie by Laura McLain Madsen DVM
St. Peter Author Unknown
Dolly Author Unknown
Our Beautiful Sophie by Marisa McKinnon and Michele McKinnon
Taggard by Douglas Slama DVM
Winter of Life by Louis Carle
Toby Loving Goodbye to an Old Friend by Edgar J. Bracco
Message To My Master Author Unknown
If Dogs Were The Teacher Author Unknown
Whiskey River by Alan Cunningham
Whiskey River by Willie Nelson
Yeager and Carson by Steve Shupe
The River’s Edge by Alan Cunningham
Yoshi by Alan Cunningham
Midnight Draws Nigh by Alan Cunningham

SECTION 2 Grief and Healing
The Journey by Crystal Ward Kent
Simple Things by Alan Cunningham
Preparing Children for Pet Loss by Marty Tousley
Preparing for and Mourning the Loss of Your Pet by Marty Tousley, RN, MS, CT, and Katherine Heuerman
Suggestions for Coping with Grief by Marty Tousley, RN, MS, CT
Overcoming the Grief of Beloved Animal Companions Who Have Passed Away by Alan Cunningham
My Gift to Jesus by Jane L. Sears
Additional Information on Pet Loss and Grief Support by Alan Cunningham Grief Counseling by Alan Cunningham
The Price of a Dog by Neil Moss DVM
Euthanasia by Kathy Howell DVM
When... by Alan Cunningham
Perpetual Pet Care Program
Autumn Leaves by Alan Cunningham
Rainbow Bridge by Alan Cunningham
Rainbow Bridge Author Unknown
Goodbye My Good Friend by Alan Cunningham
Simple Things by Alan Cunningham
About the Author
Grief Counseling Pet Loss Support Hotline
I’m Hoping by Alan Cunningham
Song List

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The Author

  Dr. Alan B. Cunningham graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and a Masters Degree in Respiratory Health Care Science. He also graduated from Utah State University with a Ph.D. in physiology and later from Oregon State University with a
Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. He recently completed his final year in medical school at the University of Health Sciences Antigua, and graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Dr. Cunningham was recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association as National Outstanding Veterinarian of the Year for 2006, and was selected for inclusion in the 2006 “Guide to America’s Top Veterinarians.” He is also the recipient of Best of State Utah 2004, 2005, and 2006 for Animal Care in his work as a veterinarian in pet loss and grief support.

He also serves as a member of FEMA with the National Veterinary Team and helps to provide medical care for injured animals during natural disasters such as Katrina. Currently he works as a full-time veterinarian. Presently a student at the University of Utah, he is majoring in the Masters of Public Health program. He also volunteers and heads the Utah pet loss hotline as a certified pet loss grief counselor. In addition he volunteers as an advocate for “end of life choices” for humans. He serves as Utah chapter president. He is also an active member of UAATA (Utah Animal Assisted Therapy Association) and he is on the Utah Board of Directors for Club Vision, an unique Utah organization that provides social activities
for the blind. Dr. Cunningham also reads from his books at the blind center and sings songs he has written. In the future he would like to become a hospice care physician.

This spring, he unveiled, at his own cost, a war dog memorial at the Utah Veteran’s Memorial Park; the first war dog memorial to be allowed at a
veteran’s cemetery in the entire United States.

 Dr. Cunningham is the author of many books, which you can read about in Precious Pets. Currently he works as a veterinarian at a nighttime emergency clinic. He also volunteers and heads the Utah pet loss hotline as a certified pet loss grief counselor. In addition he volunteers as an advocate for "end of life choices" for humans. He is the recipient of Best of State Utah 2004 for his work as a veterinarian in pet loss and grief support.   Read more on Dr. Cunningham.

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