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Foreword Review

foreword
Ganny’s Journal: A Tale of Human-Animal Kinship
Bettejeanne Hammond
Ganny Hammond
iUniverse
978-1-4759-8975-5
Four Stars (out of Five)

This moving, imaginative effort is certain to strike a chord with animal lovers.

From experienced animal rehabilitation therapist Bettejeanne Hammond comes a sweet articulation of the relationship between a human and the dogs whom she lives with, if never quite “owns.” Speaking primarily through the voice of her beloved departed golden Labrador, Ganny, Hammond attempts to capture the highs and lows of her life with six dogs in Ganny’s Journal: A Tale of Human-Animal Kinship.

The impetus for Ganny’s journaling comes via a series of health crises, several of which leave Hammond, called Bj for short, contemplating what life might be like without her loyal canine companion at her side. As Ganny delivers his recollections, it becomes increasingly clear that his reminiscing is motivated, at least in part, by a desire to help his human companion let him go with more joy than grief.

It is natural, in light of these organizing factors, that recollections begin at puppyhood and feature Ganny’s mother, Doeska, and sister, Gally, as well as the three other dogs that make up their family. Two of these, Kringle and Lullies, frequently interject with their own memories, and such chapters become a cheerful exchange of imagined animal voices.

Hammond’s method of storytelling is approachable, and readers may recall other projects in which authors have attempted to channel the voices of their animal companions, such as Dean Koontz’s A Big Little Life. Chapter ends function as internal appendixes, with Hammond exploring human-canine therapies, and the extent to which humans can know the minds of the creatures around us: “What if our dogs…want to communicate with us or among themselves? How do they do that?…They think in visual images and transmit them telepathically,” she states.

Hammond comes to function as a medium within the project, and Ganny’s Journal becomes less about anthropomorphizing her pet than about actually conveying his thoughts and feelings. Through Hammond, Ganny remembers mischievous romps through old homesteads, but also conveys growing pain as his health deteriorates. He makes use of a visiting shaman to let her know that he’s appreciative of her love, and accepts her invitation to move on, without guilt, when he’s finally ready. Whether or not the reader is able to believe these words as Ganny’s own, the author’s sensitive handling of grief and pain stands to be emotionally impactful.

Intertwined instances of good puppy humor provide necessary levity, and doggy mishaps and misadventures are certain to charm. The canine voices throughout the project are alternately silly and wise, and if they sometimes blend into one another, this only bolsters the sense of the family’s unity and interdependence.
Ganny’s Journal is certain to strike a chord with animal lovers, who will enjoy these reflections on interconnection. As Ganny readies himself to depart his earthly life, Hammond’s focus veers toward glimpses “of what moves and lives behind all that,” and such chapters will comfort other pet owners grappling with recent losses. An often moving, imaginative effort, Ganny’s Journal gives voice to those who approach the animal world with a genuine desire to empathize and understand.

Michelle Anne Schingler

BlueInk Review

blueink
Ganny’s Journal: A Tale of Human-Animal Kinship
Ganny and Bettejeanne Hammond
IUniverse, 118 pages, (paperback) $13.95, 9781475989755 (Reviewed: April, 2013)

Ganny’s Journal is not your ordinary “warm and fuzzy” dog-and-human-relationship book. Bettejeane Hammond, a holistic animal rehabilitation practitioner, has taken this animal memoir to a spiritual level.

Ganny, a male yellow Lab, was one of Hammond’s six dogs (three yellow Labs and three Coton de Tulear). He became the lead pack dog after his mother and two other dogs passed on. Shifting from a playful dog to being the backbone of the pack, he became a role model to the remaining dogs, especially when it was his turn to die. With occasional interjections from Hammond, Ganny often acts as narrator here, sharing his life adventures, especially as his time on this earth comes to a close.

The memoir contains two sections. The first offers background to Hammond’s fun-loving pack (past and present). It also explains Hammond’s assertion that dogs use telepathy to communicate. Hammond writes: “[Dogs] think in visual images and transmit them telepathically. When they’re communicating with us, we often get their images without even realizing that we do.” In section two, Ganny begins to develop strange neurological symptoms (momentary blindness followed by the loss of mobility) as he poignantly transitions to the “Spirit World.”

At the end of most chapters, Hammond includes “Scribe Comments”: reflections on what her relationship with Ganny and the other dogs has taught her. Regarding Ganny’s illness, she writes: “How did he escape discouragement…and continue choosing to keep on keeping on? I think the answer is a simple yet profound one.” Ganny, she notes, lived “strictly in the present” with no longing for yesterday. “Honestly speaking, he handled his journey of challenge ever so much better than I did.”

Ganny’s Journal is a profoundly spiritual memoir. It is an animal lover’s book that will appeal to those who understand and appreciate the idea that the bond between animals and humans is more than mere companionship. Indeed, there are many important lessons we can learn from these wonderful creatures.

Ganny is the Elder and Leader of three remaining members of an original Pack of six. Ganny moved into that position only a few months before he encounters a series of physical hardships that test his mettle. Surviving these challenges by choice, he decides that he wants to write a Journal about the Pack he has lived with for 14 years. Ganny has a scribe who puts human words around the non-verbal content of his Journal. Her name is “Bj”, and she is the human member of this Pack of 24 Paws and 2 Feet. She is also co-author of Ganny’s Journal, adding comments based on her experience working with animals and living with her pack. She also includes research to support her observations.

Ganny’s Journal descibes interactions among the seven Pack members and gives each of them a voice. This is a heartwarming tale of Pack interactions and communications that reveal the impact of human stresses on family animals. It looks deeply at the capacities that domesticated dogs bring to navigating a human world.

Ultimately, this is a tale of human-animal kinship, a demonstration of reciprocal non-verbal communication and teaching that evolves within the Pack over time. You are each invited to become a member of the Pack to experience a dog’s life firsthand.

Amazon Review:

Deep Insights about Dogs and Life (*****)

This book describes a pack of six dogs all living in the same house with their owner. Each of the dogs clearly has a distinct personality and role in the household. It is fascinating to read how they blend together into a family and care for one another. Their owner and author of this book is an integral part of the family, or “pack” as she calls it.

Most pet owners I have known feel that there pet is part of the family, but the author takes that a step further. She is a pet therapist and trainer by profession, and clearly a “dog whisperer”. She describes in detail the perspectives of the dogs, translating their thoughts into human words. A large part of the book is the story of the pack as told by one of the dogs, Ganny. I truly felt that if Ganny could talk, this is the story he would tell. He has important things to say.

How much can we learn from animals? If we are open-minded and seeking to understand ourselves and life more thoroughly, we can learn a great deal. Maybe not always what we would chose to learn, but sometimes the life lessons we are needing to learn. Bettejeanne Hammond has a clear vision and keen sense of of how the members of her beloved animal family experience the world and one another. She demonstrates a profound respect for them and a humility regarding their wisdom and the personal insights she gains from them.

This book is a love story that takes us along on this family’s journey, as seen through the eyes of the dogs. It is an actual journey, beginning in Africa and eventually winding up in Virginia, but it is also a spiritual journey that has to be read to be believed. If you have ever wondered how “animal whisperers” experience and practice their gift, especially with their own animals through the years, you will be grateful to Bettejeanne and Ganny for sharing their story with us from their unique perspectives.

It is a touching story, sometimes humorous, sometimes sad. I really got involved with them – those dogs are cute and captivating! I find that dogs are pretty easy to read, but this book gave me a deeper appreciation of what goes on between them and how they perceive and care for their human owner. If you love dogs, you will love this book. Don’t miss it!”

–Rick Bayless — 4 December 2013

Charlottesville’s Monthly Holistic Newspaper, ECHO; December 2013

“…a life-affirming read.”

“This is the first time I have reviewed a book coauthored by a dog (Ganny). There he is, the Labrador on the cover with his name alongside that of his owner (the other coauthor Bettejeanne Hammond known to her friends as Bj). The book grew out of Ganny’s idea to write a journal, which he persuaded his owner, Bj, to put to paper. Yes, it all seemed a little implausible to me too.”

But wait….

Bj also has her own things to say in the book. She puts human words around what Ganny wants to say; this makes her his scribe. She puts “Scribe Comments” at the end of each chapter, which provide the human perspective on what Ganny has to say, and also some research. Bj is an animal therapist with experience working with small and large animals; she is able to connect with animals on a pre-verbal level.

“From a start that raised questions for me, this well written book moves to a profound and moving conclusion, unlike any book you have ever read before. The reader will feel transcendence even beyond the words themselves that already touch one deeply. You will experience the resonance that one might feel while reading a revered spiritual work.”

“The book starts out with six dogs—three sleek Labs and three Coton de Tulears—small, long white-haired tykes all of which Bj refers to as “the pack”. Bj includes herself in the pack of seven as the human alpha member. Eventually Ganny assumed leadership of the pack when the natural leader, Doeska, died. There is a delightful picture of the whole pack.”

The first part of the book is all about living a dog’s life in a human world. The second part is about how Ganny responds to a series of life threatening physical challenges. There is a look at how Ganny is “healed” after each of these challenges, and some discussion of metaphysical procedures. “As parts of his body serially fail, Ganny becomes philosophical: ‘As far as I’m concerned, I’m ready to put up with what doesn’t work in order to have the part that does.’ It is gems like this that endeared the book to me.”

Bj grew in wisdom during Ganny’s challenges. It took her a while to realize that Ganny never wanted to walk again and she ought to take a look at how best to support him. His resilience in the face of all his challenges quite amazed Bj, causing her to say, “………………

A strong and motivated spirit
In a weak and waning body
Is capable of finding life
Midst the process of dying.”

“The sensitive reader cannot help but be moved by the multiple near-endings in this book, which is what makes it such a life affirming read. It illustrates our deep interconnection with all life on a spiritual level. It is my favorite animal book to date.”
Jim Ward, Editor, ECHO Newspaper…

*Please note, the review has been summarized in part with the permission of the Editor. Word for word quotes are encased in quotation marks.*