A gently humorous story that is a valuable fable for pet lovers of all ages.

A journey through 20,000 years of history and myth in search of the answer to a single question: Do animals have souls? Anyone who has ever mourned the loss of a cherished pet has wondered about the animal soul. Do animals survive the death of the body, or are they doomed to disappear completely when they leave this world behind? Both scientists and religious authorities have long scoffed at the idea of animals in heaven. Yet the question endures. In this wise, immensely readable book, Ptolemy Tompkins embarks on a quest for the answer—taking us on a top-speed tour of the history of the animal soul. Equally at home with mainstream and alternative spiritual philosophies, Tompkins takes us from the savannas of Africa to the earth’s first cities to the early days of the great faith traditions of both East and West. Along the way, he shows that, despite what many of us have been taught, the world’s various spiritual traditions all have profoundly meaningful things to say about the animal soul, if we simply know where to look. Rescuing these ancient insights and blending them with vivid stories about animals today—from a dwarf rabbit named Angus to a manatee named Moose to a black bear named Little Bit—The Divine Life of Animals paints a gloriously inclusive picture of the cosmos as a place made up of both matter and spirit, in which animals are every bit as important, spiritually speaking, as the humans with whom they share the world. Though it is startlingly original, The Divine Life of Animals also feels strangely and instantly familiar, for it reveals truths that many of us have held in our hearts already, waiting only for someone to give fresh voice to one of the oldest and most trustworthy intuitions we possess. The Divine Life of Animals offers a compelling and timeless vision of the relationship between humans and animals that will have you looking at the animals in your life with new eyes.

"Step back into a sweeping landscape of green glades and glaciers where dwarves, frost giants, and ghosts roam and where gods and goddesses work their magic for Middle Earth, sometimes crossing the great rainbow bridge to come to the aid of humans"--Amazon.

From the author of the picture book phenomenon The Invisible String comes a moving companion title about coping with grief when a pet dies. "When our pets aren't with us anymore, an Invisible Leash connects our hearts to each other. Forever." That's what Zack's friend Emily tells him after his dog dies. Zack doesn't believe it. He only believes in what he can see. But on an enlightening journey through their neighborhood—and through his grief—he comes to feel the comforting tug of the Invisible Leash. And it feels like love. Accompanied by tender. uplifting art by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff, bestselling author Patrice Karst's gentle story uses the same bonding technique from her classic book The Invisible String to help readers through the experience of the loss of a beloved animal.

When a little cat named Jack, crosses the Rainbow Bridge, he is met by Colby, his dog brother. Colby shows Jack around and introduces Jack to lots of new animal friends. Jack and Colby have lots of wonderful adventures On the Other Side of the Rainbow Bridge, while they are waiting to be reunited with their people from their earthly life. There are suggested activities at the end, offering fun ways to remember our beloved pets after they cross over the Rainbow Bridge.

Introduces the dogs of Bedlam Farm that inspire the author's books.

A contemporary story based on the Chumash Indian legend about the origin of dolphins.

"'The Legend of Rainbow Bridge' by William Britton ahas comforted the hearts and souls of countless animal lovers around the globe. Written for adults and children of all ages. My Britton's healing words offer solace and comfort to those left behind when their beloved companions journey to Rainbow Bridge. This book, beautifully illustrated by Dandi Palmer, is a must for all who share lives with animals of any kind."--Back cover.

Animal Communicator Colleen Nicholson and 38 of her animal clients will take you on a spiritually uplifting journey past grief, on into the celestial and eternal worlds of "animal heaven." Read first-hand accounts of companion animals who have passed on, prepared to do so, or had survived traumatic events, to emerge with a greater understanding of life and the inherent meaning that imbues all aspects of existence.

A line-by-line presentation of the Rainbow Bridge poem, with artists' renditions for each couplet.