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  Inside This Fragile Tear – Art, Poetry, Stories & Songs In Memory of Lost Animal Companions
    
To buy online —  Amazon US  

  Or call Publisher to purchase. 1 800 360-5284

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           See  Books About Precious Pets for more books by this author.
 
  Compiled By Alan Blain Cunningham PhD, DVM, MD
  Drawings by Arianna Alexis & Lisa Hull. Front Cover Art by Alan Cunningham Back Cover Art by Arianna Alexis & Lara McKenna                    
  Copyright - Feb.  2006  List Price $19.95   80 p Soft Cover 8 x 10  Many Drawings.  2 CDs of Song accompanies the book.
  Agreka™ Books ISBN 1-888106-88-3  Library of Congress 2005937950

Dedication  A Story  Introduction  Stories & Songs  The Author  

More Stories:  Page 1    Page 2

Dedication

This book of art, poetry, stories and songs is dedicated to pet owners who grieve the loss of beloved animal companions.
Thanks to Gary Stoddard, my true friend, for helping me to discover the wonder and healing power of music.
And finally, excerpts from other books I have published are included “Inside This Fragile Tear.”

Resources to help with pet loss
Alan Cunningham offers tips and contact information on his Web site, http://www.petangelsutah.com

FRAGILE TEARS

After the uncontrollable tears of sadness
We begin to heal
Sometimes very slowly
Gradually, as we heal
We remember our lost loved one
With mixed emotions of grief and joy
And often times, without the slightest warning
We feel a delicate tear on our cheek
A fragile tear created mostly by love

The tears of children are innocent and fragile. They are very pure and honest. This poem was written for children
that grieve the loss of a beloved pet companion.

  Laura with Beau. Click drawing for full image.   

I was thirteen years old and we had just moved to Kansas City, leaving all my friends behind. What follows is this story...

The animal shelter keeper said ‘Trucker brought him in. Found him in the middle a nowhere, kicked half to death. Too damaged to make a good pet.

"I’ll take him. He’s the one I want." But, as the weeks pass, I finally realize he really is permanently damaged.

Four years later, mom and I knew what we had to do. Beau had been my closest friend, my dear companion. I’ll never forget Beau. And I know he swiftly traveled to a better place where one day we’ll be reunited. At last, he is healed."

Laura Taylor
Excerpt: On Angels Wings

 . . Read more in the book.

Introduction

When my Boston Terrier, Pug, died several years ago I was devastated. I felt alone and guilty in my grief. After all, I was a veterinarian. I should have been able to save her from pain and death. If only...

In an attempt at reconciliation I learned about pet loss and grief. And somewhere, inside a fragile tear, I began to heal by expressing my thoughts through art and writing stories, poems and songs. Even though I still grieve Pug’s death, and probably always will, I have learned to move on.

May this book of art, poetry, stories and songs help you to find comfort and solace in the loss of a beloved animal companion.

Sincerely, Alan Blain Cunningham PhD, DVM, MD

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Table of Contents

Fragile Tears
Inside This Fragile Tear
Silent Voices
I’m Hoping
Time Will Make it Right
Simple Things Lou’s Song to Kathy (Colors of Your World)
If Only
Our Beautiful Sophie by Marisa McKinnon and Michele McKinnon
Our Love
Rainbow Tears
Seven
Angels
Angel’s Eyes
Ella Illumina Mi Vida
Little Angel
Lonely Places
A Million Angel Kisses
I Cried
Hopper Boy
Be Mine
St Peter by Author Unknown
My Prayer to You
Just a Breath Away (Echoes)
Shepherd Boy
The Best That We Can Be
Autumn Leaves
Goodbye My Good Friend
Simple Things
Rainbow Bridge
About the Author
Grief Counseling Pet Loss Support Hotlines

Songs on the CDs

Songs written by Alan Cunningham and arranged by Gary Stoddard

Copyright 2006 by Alan B. Cunningham. http://petangelsutah.com/

1. Fragile Tears – narration Alan Cunningham
2. Inside This Fragile Tear – singer Phil Miller
3. Silent Voices – narration and singer Alan Cunningham
4. I’m Hoping – singer Gary Stoddard
5. Time Will Make it Right – singer Gary Stoddard
6. Simple Things – singer Phil Miller
7. Lou’s Song to Kathy (Colors of Your World) – singer Gary Stoddard
8. If Only – singers Alan Cunningham, Gary Stoddard
9. Lonely Spaces – by Arthur Gottschalk, performed by Thomas Bacon (horn) and Brian Connelly (piano)
10. Our Love – singer Gary Stoddard
11. Rainbow Tears – narration Alan Cunningham
12. Seven – singer Alan Cunningham
13. Angels – singers Alan Cunningham, Gary Stoddard
14. Angel’s Eyes – singers Gary Stoddard, Sydney Sorenson
15. Ella Illumina Mi Vida – singer Alan Cunningham, translator Enrique Pena
16. Little Angel – singers Alan Cunningham, Gary Stoddard
17. Lonely Places – singer Alan Cunningham
18. A Million Angel Kisses – singers Alan Cunningham, Gary Stoddard
19. I Cried – narration Alan Cunningham
20. Hopper Boy – narration Mason McMillan, singer Gary Stoddard
21. Be Mine – singer Gary Stoddard and the New Orleans "gold toothed choir"
22. Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring by Johanne Sebastian Bach, performed by Cathy Clayton
23. My Prayer to You – singers Alan Cunningham, Gary Stoddard
24. Just a Breath Away (Echoes) – singers Alan Cunningham, Gary Stoddard
25. Shepherd Boy – singers Alan Cunningham, Gary Stoddard
26. The Best That We Can Be – singers Alan Cunningham, Gary Stoddard
27. Autumn Leaves – singers Alan Cunningham, Gary Stoddard
28. Goodbye My Good Friend – singer Gary Stoddard

The Author

  Dr. Alan B. Cunningham graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and a Masters Degree in Respiratory Health Care Science. He also graduated from Utah State University with a Ph.D. in physiology and later from Oregon State University with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. He recently completed his final year in medical school at the University of Health Sciences Antigua.

  Double click photo for large image.

Presently Dr. Cunningham works part-time as a member of FEMA with the National Veterinary Team and helps to provide medical care for injured animals during natural disasters such as Katrina.

Dr. Cunningham is also the author of six other books: Sleeping With Angels: A Veterinarian’s Sacred Bond of Animal Companionship. On Angels Wings: Personal Stories About the Passing Away of Beloved Animal Companions.
Small Wonders: A Personal Journey to the Wonders of the World.
On Angels Wings II: Personal Stories About the Passing Away of Beloved Animal Companions.
Unspoken Messages: A Personal and Universal Portrayal in the Perspectives of Communication.
Fragile Tears: Stories & Guidance for Youth on the Passing Away of Beloved Animal Companions.

Currently he works as a full-time relief veterinarian at a nighttime emergency clinic. He also volunteers and heads the Utah pet loss hotline as a certified pet loss grief counselor. In addition he volunteers as an advocate for "end of life choices" for humans. He is the recipient of Best of State Utah 2004 and 2005 for his work as a veterinarian in pet loss and grief support.

Furthermore, he actively campaigns for a commemorative postage stamp and national war memorial for the War Dogs in Vietnam. These valiant warriors gave their lives to save American Soldiers. Nearly 4,000 canine soldiers fought in Vietnam but less than 200 returned stateside. Most were left behind to an uncertain future with the South Vietnamese or euthanized. Many of the dog handlers requested to bring them home because they owed their lives to their canine soldier counterparts. Unfortunately, they were denied. These soldiers desperately want to pay tribute to the War Dogs of Vietnam with commemorative postage stamps and memorials. The postmaster general has denied this request twice and presently a third push is on for a commemorative war dog stamp. Dr. Cunningham urges citizens to write their congressman in behalf of these heroic canine soldiers.

Dr. Cunningham is a lifelong resident of American Fork, Utah.

alancpug2002@yahoo.com

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