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The Divinity of Dogs: True Stories of Miracles Inspired by Man's Best Friend Paperback – August 27, 2013
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The Divinity of Dogs is about the moments we learn something profound about life from an experience with a dog. In this inspiring collection of true dog stories, you’ll hear dramatic firsthand accounts from people whose lives have been transformed by a dog’s love. From everyday blessings to lifealtering miracles, these stories confirm what many of us have always known: dogs are the ultimate gift, sent here to help us on our journey.
You’ll meet Mazie, the Lab who was rescued from a shelter only to return the favor by rescuing her new family; Luna, the Retriever who pulled her person to safety after she collapsed in a field; Little Bit, the Chihuahua who detected cancer in her owner’s breast; Emma, the Rottweiler who stopped a troubled man from taking his life; Bo, the Boxer who helped comfort a mother after the loss of her son; and other amazing, heroic dogs you’ll never forget.
Filled with heartwarming anecdotes, adorable dog photos, and the author’s moving personal story, The Divinity of Dogs reminds us that we’re not alone and will always have joy in our lives as long as we have dogs by our sides.
- Print length336 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateAugust 27, 2013
- Dimensions5.5 x 0.84 x 8.38 inches
- ISBN-109781451621594
- ISBN-13978-1451621594
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"The Divinity of Dogs is a fascinating read - bringing to life the very special, sometimes incredible, aspects of dogs, with whom we have the privilege to share our lives." —Clarissa Baldwin, Chief Executive Officer of Dogs Trust - A Dog Is For Life
“Every dog I’ve had the privilege of knowing has imparted some special lesson, insight or transcendent gift to me. It’s what they do. The Divinity of Dogs captures the essence of dogs and their many gifts to humankind. Wonderful stories.” —Francis Battista, Co-founder of Best Friends Animal Society
“This wonderful book is a treasure trove of fascinating stories that will entertain, inspire, enlighten, and amaze you. Soul-enriching.” —Lewis Regenstein, President of the Interfaith Council for the Protection of Animals and Nature
"I loved this book. The Divinity of Dogs captures the beautiful non-verbal messages between people and their pets. It's a powerful page-turner!" —Debi Boies, co-founder of Pilots N Paws
"Do yourself a favor, read this book, adopt a dog and join the rest of us who know the secret of a happy life." —Karen Rhodes, President, Dogs' Refuge Home
“Jennifer Skiff’s miraculous book is filled with happy dog faces and inspiring stories that touch the canine-human bond.” ― Blue Heron Journal
“It can be easy to lose sight of the humanity we all share when so much turmoil exists over resources and money and power. But with something as easy as a book filled with love stories about dogs, it can be much easier to remember the kind of people we should all strive to be -- the kind who listen to our dogs a little more and the rest of the noise a little less.” -- Jenny Block ― The Huffington Post
“A perfect read for dog lovers and those wishing to adopt. An uplifting collection of stories about people who have had other-worldly experiences through their relationships with dogs." ― Shelf Awareness
“A fabulous collection of personal accounts of how dogs have helped people. Ranging from near miracles to simply providing love and companionship, these accounts are all heartwarming… a fabulous holiday gift for a dog loving friend or as a party exchange gift at your local dog club.” ― Examiner.com
“This is an uplifting book, perfect for this time of year. Many of these true stories are heartwarming and filled with pure joy - exploring the kind of innocent and absolute joy dogs offer and inspire,” ― Chicago Tribune
“...tells true stories of love, miracles and personal transformations involving dogs.” ― Sun Journal (Lewiston-Auburn, ME)
"One of the most inspiring collections of dog stories assembled." ― Iron Mountain Daily News (Michigan)
“This book should come with it's own box of tissues, because, trust me, you won't get through it without needing several. Some stories make you smile through your tears, some bring a tear because of the obvious bond between human and dog, but all of them will touch you in some way.” ― Post Journal (Jamestown-NY)
“Tissue alert, but in a good way. This is an uplifting book, perfect for this time of year. All these inspiring ‘touched by a dog’ true stories are heartwarming, and filled with pure joy – the kind of innocent and absolute joy which dogs offer and inspire.” ― USA Weekend
“packed full of inspiring, heartwarming, feel good to your bones stories about dogs and their people, and will definitely warm your heart and give you paws to just how much dogs help, love, comfort, uplift, guide, amaze, inspire and change people’s lives.” ― Johann the Dog
About the Author
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
“I had no reason to live”
Scott Thornsley
It was Christmas morning, 1995. My wife had left me in August, and two weeks later, I lost my job of nineteen years. I was alone, without anyone to turn to. Worst of all, no one needed me anymore—my workplace or the wife I loved.
I’d just gotten my PhD and was looking forward to enjoying the success that would come with it. Instead, the hunt for a new job was futile. Because of my new degree, I couldn’t get the most menial of jobs. Most people said I was overeducated. I felt like a total failure.
I thought long and hard and came to the conclusion that my life was not worth living. I decided to commit suicide.
The moment came. I’d decided on a method and was committed to carrying it out. At that very moment, my four-year-old Rottweiler, Emma, bounded into the study. Her leash was in her mouth, which was not unusual. What was unusual was what she did next. She grabbed my hand with her mouth and ferociously pulled me toward the front door, tugging and yanking me out of my chair. She had never done this before.
There was a hard-falling snow, which would make even the shortest of walks difficult. Her tugging continued. I decided to grant her one more walk.
Once we were outside, she wouldn’t let me go home. She continued, just ahead, leading me through neighborhoods and school athletic fields. Emma wandered without direction, refusing to let me turn around. A couple of hours passed, and during that time, my mind cleared, and I realized my life was not over. I had much to be thankful for, and someone really did need me—even if it was a female Rottweiler named Emma. There is no doubt in my mind that Emma saved my life that day.
In the darkest of moments, a dog can make your life worth living.
Emma & Scott
North East Rottweiler Rescue & Referral
rottrescue.org
Product details
- ASIN : 1451621590
- Publisher : Atria; Reprint edition (August 27, 2013)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 336 pages
- ISBN-10 : 9781451621594
- ISBN-13 : 978-1451621594
- Item Weight : 11.2 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.84 x 8.38 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #803,670 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #6,266 in Spiritual Self-Help (Books)
- #18,627 in Personal Transformation Self-Help
- #197,582 in Religion & Spirituality (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Jennifer Skiff is an award-winning journalist, author, and animal advocate. Her best-selling inspirational books, The Divinity of Dogs and God Stories, are published in seven languages. Her latest book, Rescuing Ladybugs, has received three 1st place literary prizes including a Gold Nautilus.
For more than a decade Jennifer traveled the world working as an investigative environmental correspondent for CNN. Her independently-produced programs about animals have aired on The Discovery Channel and other networks globally. Among other honors, she’s received the prized Environmental Media Award.
Passionate about animals and their welfare, Jennifer works with charities throughout the world to bring relief to abused and exploited animals. She led the successful campaign to build the first bear sanctuary in Laos and initiated and supervised the release of twelve chained monkeys into their natural habitat in Indonesia. She is a trustee of the Dogs’ Refuge Home in Australia and an advisor to Animal Aid USA and the Institute for Humane Education. Most recently, in 2019, Jennifer was appointed Director of International Programs for The Center for a Humane Economy (CHE) & Animal Wellness Action (AWA) in Washington. She specializes in public policy, treaty enforcement, and corporate reform initiatives to benefit animals and people globally.
Inspired to improve all life on earth, Jennifer coined the phrase “The Compassion Movement,” defined in Rescuing Ladybugs as “the collective quest to alleviate suffering for all forms of life.”
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers enjoy reading the stories about dogs and their love for humans. They find the stories heartwarming, inspiring, and meaningful. The writing quality is praised as well-written and riveting. Readers describe the book as feel-good and tender.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy reading the stories about how dogs easily pick up on their people's emotions. They find the stories interesting and short, with great messages in each one. The book is described as a loving read with short real-life stories about how a dog reached a human.
"...This is a wonderful read, and the collection of stories was awesome. Some sad, some glad, but all full of love." Read more
"...of my others dogs come flooding back as I read each of these powerful stories. If you love dogs, you will find yourself reaching for the tissues...." Read more
"...It takes no time at all to consume this delightful confection but I doubt one can complete it without crying once, if not continuously, throughout..." Read more
"...It is not a page turner. It is a book to be savored slowly. True Stories of Dogs sent into lives to help in time of need...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's stories about dogs. They find the dogs enriching and enhance their lives. The stories make them think of all their dogs, past and present. Readers also mention that dogs are a divine gift from God and a true blessing to animal lovers. They enjoy reading about the different ways dogs who have crossed over the rainbow come in spirit to humans.
"...Dogs enrich and enhance our lives, and sometimes allows their owners to learn from them...." Read more
"...such a camaraderie with all the people featured in this book; fellow dog lovers, many of whom never intended to even have a dog...." Read more
"The Divinity of Dogs is written with a selfless mission~ it is written to tell the tales of so many humans and k9s alike that were touched by an..." Read more
"...I enjoyed reading of the different ways dogs who have crossed over the rainbow come in spirit to console their owners, having had a similar..." Read more
Customers find the book inspiring and meaningful. They say the stories show animals teaching us love and compassion. Readers also mention it's a great gift and homage to the kindness of our best friends.
"...It also happens for the people reading them. Her book is a book of healing and hope, not just for dog lovers, but for anyone who has suffered abuse...." Read more
"...tears of understanding, tears of inspiration & tears that someone as insightful, soulful, & kindhearted as Jennifer Skiff is telling the tales of so..." Read more
"...The book gave me further insights about my own canine pack of 4, each one on a different journey." Read more
"...These stories will (should) touch your heart and make you realize just how much having a dog can enrich and yes even save your lives...." Read more
Customers find the book moving and entertaining. It provokes mixed emotions, including laughter and tears of sadness, understanding, and inspiration. They describe it as heartwarming and inspiring, with some stories making them laugh while others make them cry.
"...keep reading, but rather tears of an "A-HA" moment, they are tears of understanding, tears of inspiration & tears that someone as insightful, soulful..." Read more
"...The stories were a mix of heart-warming and heart-breaking & I cried for both...." Read more
"...While reading this book, you will cry, laugh and some of the tales will make you ponder what sixth sense these dogs are born with...." Read more
"...It warmed my heart, lifted my spirit, and made my eyes fill with tears time after time. I wanted it to never end...." Read more
Customers find the writing quality of the book good. They describe the stories as readable, touching, and riveting. Readers praise the author's translation and say it's a must-read for animal lovers.
"...Her writing has such a clarity & flow to it and her story is heart-breaking & heart warming all at the same time...." Read more
"...It takes no time at all to consume this delightful confection but I doubt one can complete it without crying once, if not continuously, throughout..." Read more
"Easy reading with very short real life stories about how a given dog reached a human life--primarily emotionally...." Read more
"...She is a wonderful writer and combines the stories in a pleasant way. At the end of each section is the address for groups that rescue or train dogs...." Read more
Customers find the book comforting and inspiring. They mention it makes them feel good, shed tears, and rejoice in life. The book helps readers be gentler and mindful caregivers.
"...A feel good book if there ever was one!" Read more
"...they are...there is laughter, tears, and comfort as you read the stories compiled in the book." Read more
"...This book inspired me to be a more gentle and mindful caretaker of my own precious canine angels." Read more
"...It quickly dispelled that thought. Found it to be inspiring, tender and helped me rejoice the life of my dog, Mikey...." Read more
Customers find the book's pacing engaging and moving. They say it holds their attention well and is heartwarming and poignant.
"If you love dogs, this is the book for you. It is moving, funny and loving. My husband, who does. It like to read, loved this book." Read more
"This is a collection of real life stories that are heartwarming and often poignant...." Read more
"Once you styart you can't put it down - a very moving and inspirational book that will stay with you for a long time." Read more
"Just a beautiful and moving book about how our canine children enrich our lives. A must for all dog lovers!" Read more
Customers have different views on the story length. Some find the stories short enough to read in one sitting, with typical lengths of 3 pages. Others find the stories mundane or horrifying.
"...Some stories are delightful. Some stories are horrid, and not at all what I wanted to be reading...." Read more
"...All of these stories are short enough to be read in one sitting, but all present a different aspect of dogs that surpass our expectations...." Read more
"I was hoping for a more inspirational book. The stories are only 2 to 3 pages long and not particularly interesting." Read more
"...I was not prepared for the impact of this book. The testimonials are short, making it an easy read, yet they do not lack in showing the power of..." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2012Before I begin, I found this book in the "Pet's Section" of Barnes and Noble. It deserves to be in the main table under "New Releases!"
For those who love to read, and love dogs, this is a "must read." We all need to read the serious books, but we also need to read books which uplift our souls, and this is one such book. Even if you already that a dog is man's best friend, this book confirms it. Dogs enrich and enhance our lives, and sometimes allows their owners to learn from them. How tragic that when friends and family fail to love us when it is most important, it is sometimes dogs that come to our rescue and love us unconditionally, which sometimes makes all the difference in the world.
This book can be read and re-read for years. It makes us realize why we brave the cold and snow to take them for one last walk at night, and why we allow them to shake off the rain in our homes and curl up next to us on the sofa. For those of us who know why we love our dogs unconditionally, it is a wonderful reminder that we are not alone.
This is a wonderful read, and the collection of stories was awesome. Some sad, some glad, but all full of love.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2012"They may be the purest example of divine love in an earthly soul many of us ever experience. If we take their lead, open our hearts, and embrace their love, we may just find our own journey a lot more enlightening."
This book is a collection of dog stories from people of all walks of life. I felt such a camaraderie with all the people featured in this book; fellow dog lovers, many of whom never intended to even have a dog. But you don't have to be a dog lover to appreciate the stories in this book. It is so much more than a collection of dog stories. It is the celebration of the human spirit, as well. The author expresses so well what I know many of us dog lovers feel:
"Like many people, I've always been able to count on a dog. I've never truly felt the same way about people. I know I'm not alone, and I don't look at this as a bad thing. I think it's okay. We all have trials in life. It's what we learn from them that matters. I've learned never to underestimate the ability of a dog to provide comfort where a person can't."
What's striking about these stories is how many of the dogs featured were rescues; rescued from abuse and neglect. What's more striking, is that each story illustrates that it wasn't just the dog that was rescued; it was the human who was rescued, as well. Their lives were changed forever from knowing a particular dog.
Of course I boo-hooed thru it. It is not just the stories that Jennifer Skiff collected but her OWN story that makes this such a compelling book. Her writing has such a clarity & flow to it and her story is heart-breaking & heart warming all at the same time. Healing happens when we tell our stories. It also happens for the people reading them. Her book is a book of healing and hope, not just for dog lovers, but for anyone who has suffered abuse. It's divinely inspired.
This book will have you appreciating your own 4-legged loved ones that much more. I had so many sweet memories of my others dogs come flooding back as I read each of these powerful stories. If you love dogs, you will find yourself reaching for the tissues. Don't let that deter you because you will also laugh and celebrate and have your faith in humanity restored by reading these stories. I can't say enough good things about this book. It is sure to become a classic!
- Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2014Bravo! This short story novel about rescued dogs that often wind up rescuing their owners is such a delightful read. It takes no time at all to consume this delightful confection but I doubt one can complete it without crying once, if not continuously, throughout the book. It spoke to me in so many ways and really made me appreciate the two dogs we are now given to guide us through this life. There have been others before and there will hopefully be more to come because I can't imagine life without a dog in it.
Jennifer Skiff does a great job of putting stories and photos together into their respective storyline. It really helps to have the pictures as it makes the stories come alive. This is a must read for all dog lovers--it will help keep us humane; live in the moment; forgive and forget; and enjoy every moment that you are given in this lifetime. Thank you Jennifer for reminding me how precious my dogs really are. Of course, there was the one special guy that saw me through some tough times and taught me to laugh and love again--thank you Gus--you are never far from my heart.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2012The Divinity of Dogs is written with a selfless mission~ it is written to tell the tales of so many humans and k9s alike that were touched by an unwavering love we share with our k9 companions. Although tears are shed upon opening the book & of course while reading the book they are NOT tears of sadness that will make one not want to keep reading, but rather tears of an "A-HA" moment, they are tears of understanding, tears of inspiration & tears that someone as insightful, soulful, & kindhearted as Jennifer Skiff is telling the tales of so many brave warriors- the ones we as humans, if tuned in, will continue to learn, grow, and understand life just a little bit more than we "think" we do. Whether your dog is in this book or not the stories told in the book are stories we can ALL relate to and even say "my dog did that... or my dog could have been that dog..." Jennifer allows the reader to understand the dogs in this book tell the tale of ALL dogs as she points out that ALL dogs are divine. Jennifer makes us venerable and aware of the nostalgia that lies within ALL OF OUR DOGS- the same dogs that get us humans though dark days- trying times, and ultimately make our house a loving home. Thank you Jennifer for bring forth such a grand & divine love between man & k9.
Top reviews from other countries
- Sylvana SpatzReviewed in Canada on December 12, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
I love this book.
- Free SpiritReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 17, 2014
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book
I saw this book advertised on face book and it appealed to me.
This is a collection of stories and can be dipped in and out of as you wish.
Each story comes with a black and white photograph of the dog featured and the stories are inspiring and heart warming.
I will definately be buying more copies of this book as gifts for my dog loving friends and family.
- EktaReviewed in India on December 23, 2013
5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book....
The book is a must read for people who believes animals have magical powers. This is not just for dog lovers but for very pet and un named animals which has touched our heart in one way or other.
- Judy KellyReviewed in Australia on July 30, 2014
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
Beautiful stores that were often heartbreaking, but the writing wasn't that great.
- Mark PassaReviewed in Canada on August 20, 2013
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
This book has so many nice stories in it about dogs, if you love dogs and like to be inspired look no further than within these pages.