Animals as Guides for the Soul: Stories of Life-Changing Encounters

In her Animals as Teachers and Healers (1997), McElroy attributed her recovery from cancer in part to a kitten's grace and to her totem animal (Gaia, a wolf), who helped her visualize healing. Here, she explores spirituality and communication in the human-animal relationship. McElroy describes her family at Brightstar Farm in Wyoming--including the cats Bear, Evinrude and Mirella; Arrow, the dog; Phaedra, the llama who taught her about love; and Pumpkin, the cockatoo. There are heartwarming stories from readers, chronicling their own interactions with animals. McElroy discusses the death of a pet, grief and guilt over the loss and how to deal with it. A missionary fervor seems to pervade her plea to transform our relationship with animals, as McElroy seeks to formulate a creed that will put humans and animals on an equal footing. Whatever one thinks of that belief, few will deny that McElroy offers bountiful food for thought and meditation. Author tour. (Nov.)