'I'm Still Here: A Dog's Purpose Forever': Love Never Dies

Source: Christian Domingues / Pexels

When I first learned about Cathryn Michon's highly acclaimed, brilliantly written and illustrated new book I'm Still Here: A Dog's Purpose Forever, I couldn't wait to get my eyes on it, and I am thrilled I did. I learned a lot from reading it, and it reminded me of other discussions of how to deal with the loss of a companion animal and how to heal from different forms of grief. Here's what Cathryn had to say about her highly inspirational, healing, and happy book that is full of love and joy.

Marc Bekoff: Why did you write I'm Still Here: A Dog's Purpose Forever?

Cathryn Michon: My husband, W. Bruce Cameron, author of A Dog's Purpose, asked me to write it because we both felt there were no books out there about losing a dog that were told from the dog's point of view. After having co-written three feature films together from a dog's point of view, he felt that I was the perfect person to offer comfort with a gorgeous graphic companion book to his original novel. When someone has lost a dog, who better to comfort a grieving human than an angel dog who wants you to know that they are still *here* even as they are also *there* across the rainbow bridge, running free, without pain, with all the people and animal souls you have loved?

This angel dog has some amazing perspectives. He knows that dogs don't live as long as people do, but he thinks it's a good thing, because that way dogs can go first and show people that it's "no big deal."

Source: Andrews McMeel Publishing

I believe in the eternal life of our souls, both humans’ and animals’, so I believe that this relationship is forever and that we meet again.

MB: How does your book relate to your background and general areas of interest?

CM: I've been a filmmaker for decades, and I'm here to tell you there is no more delightful character to write than a dog. They're joyful, they're optimistic, they're loyal, and they really do love having a purpose in caring for their humans. My dog feels very strongly that his purpose is to bark when the doorbell rings, and it brings him great joy to provide such a valuable service in our home. I'm sure when he hears me yelling, "no barks, no barks!" it comes off to him like I'm saying, "good job, good job!

MB: Who do you hope to reach in your interesting and important book?

CM: For me, dogs are part of the family, and when we lose them, there is real grief. I want to help people realize that the love our dog gave us is still here but is also available to us from other dogs. Even if you don't adopt another dog right away, open your heart to that healing dog energy as you walk down the street and you see a waggy dog approaching. The narrator of my book says it best: "all dog souls are different, but they are all good." The first step to recovering from this grief is letting their unconditional love in, wherever you find it.

MB: What are some of your major messages?

CM: Well, my dog narrator has a lot of great advice for people. I don't want to insult any therapists who read Psychology Today, but I happen to believe that dogs are amazing therapists who show us how to live by modeling how to turn to joy. For example, my dog Tucker always approaches a car ride with unbridled joy, although sometimes we're going to the vet, which he doesn't like at all. But his assumption is that all car rides are potentially great, so why not be excited for them? Fear is the greatest impediment to joy, so people really should consider living like the dogs and making joy the default.

Readers probably expect this book to touch their hearts, and it will, but I don't think they expect this book to make them laugh out loud, which early readers have also noted. Dogs have some very strong opinions about chicken (yes!) and baths (no!) and really feel that the apex of human achievement is the humble ball.

Another comforting idea in the book is that our dogs will be able to fetch us home when it's our time to go. When I interviewed hospice workers, they told me that at the end of their lives, people see the humans and animals they have loved, right there in the room with them. I believe that isn't an illusion— it's real, that our souls are eternal and that we meet everyone we love again. I think all dogs, and people go to heaven. As Will Rogers famously said, "If there are no dogs in heaven, I want to go where they went." This book assures us that they are there. We meet again!

MB: How does your book differ from others that are concerned with some of the same general topics?

CM: I know for a fact that there isn't another beautiful gift book, filled with gorgeous watercolor paintings of every imaginable kind of dog, that has such a comforting message.

This book also demonstrates what great spiritual teachers dogs are. Dog is God spelled backwards after all. Who better to give readers the good news about eternal life than one very wise, very forgiving dog?

MB: Are you hopeful that as people learn more about this very important topic they will come to view end-of-life decisions with more compassion for everyone involved?

CM: Absolutely! My fondest hope for this book is that it helps people cope with end-of-life decisions regarding dogs, because, unlike people, we are allowed to help them cross over, with no pain. In my book, the angel dog tells us how grateful dogs are when we help them. They know we're helping them, and they love us for it. I’ve had to make that decision. Knowing it’s not only for the best, but that our dogs are counting on us to help, can get us through those difficult times.