Over Columbus Weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting Jon Katz (my favorite dog author) and his wife Maria Wulf at their home, Bedlam Farm, in Hebron, New York. Maria is a fiber artist and was holding The Functional Art Show at The Pig Barn Gallery there on the farm. The work of 10 local artists was assembled in the Gallery. Wonderful, affordable, functional art for sale. I was drawn to the jewelry maker and purchased a necklace and earrings. Love them!
The animals: their 4 dogs – Izzy, Rose, Lenore, and Frieda were on hand to greet the hundreds of visitors that arrived at the Farm. Simon, Lulu, and Fanny – the 3 donkeys were present, as well. The farm setting was a picture out of Currier and Ives or Grandma Moses – the quintessential farmhouse tucked into the hillside with a spectacular view of the village and hills below. All just as described – both in words and photos – in Jon Katz’s daily blog posts.
Jon was there talking with everyone and signing copies of his latest book: Going Home, Finding Peace When Pets Die. I asked him to sign my copy of Going Home – and a copy of his first children’s book Meet the Dogs of Bedlam Farm which I’m giving as a gift to children of friends of mine.
I read Going Home in one evening. It’s a wonderful book. For me, not sad, really. I found it to be affirming… affirming in the fact that we love our dogs so deeply, that they mean so much to us, that they are members of our family – that we mourn them just as we do people when they die… and it’s okay to do that. I found the book to be helpful. Tenderly written – with great understanding.
I have lost two canine family members in the past 10 months. It’s been very sad. I was concerned that I would be sobbing while reading this book – but, no, I found it to be uplifting. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves their pet. We all must deal with their loss at some point in time. It’s the price we must pay for having them in our lives.
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