Going Home

In this invaluable guide and touchstone, New York Times bestselling author Jon Katz addresses the difficult but necessary topic of saying goodbye to a beloved pet. Drawing on personal experiences, stories from fellow pet owners, and philosophical reflections, Katz provides support for those in mourning. By allowing ourselves to grieve honestly and openly, he posits, we can in time celebrate the dogs, cats, and other creatures that have so enriched us. Katz compels us to consider if we gave our pets good lives, if we were their advocates in times of need, and if we used our best judgments in the end. In dealing with these issues, we can alleviate guilt, let go, and help others who are undergoing similar passages. By honoring the animals that have graced our lives, we reveal their truly timeless gifts: unwavering companionship and undying love.

With a brand-new Foreword by the author.

Praise for Going Home

"For the country's 77.5 million dog owners and 93.6 million cat owners, this account of the essential grieving process should be extremely helpful."--Library Journal

"(R)eaders will find this book refreshing in its honest depiction of grief over pet loss."--Kirkus

"(A) must-read while your pet is vibrant and healthy...the perfect guidebook for both preparing for and coping with that eventual loss most painfully approach with trepidation."--Seattle Kennel Club


Praise for Jon Katz

"With wisdom and grace, Katz unlocks the canine soul and the complicated wonders that lie within and offers powerful insights to anyone who has ever struggled with, and loved, a troubled animal."-John Grogan, author of Marley & Me

"Katz's world-of animals and humans and their combined generosity of spirit-is a place you're glad you've been."-The Boston Globe

"From Toto to Marley, our canine friends are a sure bet in the literary biz. But no one seems to speak their language like Jon Katz."-San Antonio Express-News

"Katz proves himself a Thoreau for modern times as he ponders the relationships between man and animals, humanity and nature."-Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"I toss a lifetime award of three liver snaps to Jon Katz."-Maureen Corrigan, National Public Radio's Fresh Air