A true learning experience even for those parents/pet owners who think they know it all.

I was captivated by the warm stories tossed throughout this book of owners and their pets. Each a short adventure into another place and time. At first I was a little skeptical about this book because I thought it might be one of those pushy do it this way with your pet books. After reading I was truly pleased and surprised. I was given advice without the harshness other pet books can bring and presented with examples of real life experiences in the process. Being a parent and a pet owner is hard work but a true joy, only those of us willing to take on the responsibility can know the pleasure it brings to the family.

Parenting with pets gets into the joys and sorrows a pet can bring to the family and how communication is much easier with your child when you have a pet in the family. It teaches us how pets caress the soul of even the toughest child and teaches them acceptance and love, lessons they will forever keep and pass own to the next generation.

The best part of this book for me was the Grief section since it really puts into perspective how we as parents need to make sure we are there for our children for this process and how important it is.

As a parent and a pet owner I have experienced this with my kids and my 20 year old daughter still has a fresh wound since she lost her beloved dog this past year.

The anniversary of Niko's death a great Dame/lab mix was the week of Thanksgiving. He was so sick and she struggled with having to put him down. I made sure I was there for her and told her it was her decision.
Even though I knew Niko was suffering I did not push her to make the choice until she was truly ready.

Parenting with Pets is a great book not only for parents to read before acquiring a pet but also for parents who already own pets. If you are thinking about purchasing a pet for your family it has many tips on how you can avoid getting stuck with the chores after the excitement of pet ownership has died down for your children. You can also find a pet guide in the back of the book that can help to narrow down a particular kind of pet for your family type. ( )

I found this book to be very informative for parents that already have or are thinking about getting pets. I loved how everything was in chapters and each chapter only focused on one or two things. My favorite part of the book was the chapter titled " Will Any Pet Do?" Christine lists some great questions to ask before getting a pet and also details some great pets to consider.

The only thing I found lacking with the book was it doesn't take into account much {fish and hermit crabs are mentioned} the reptile pets. Ad a mother of children with pet dander allergies, if it has fur or feathers we can't have it. So we are proud frog, fish, turtle and lizard owners.

The personal stories and thoughts added throughout the book are a great touch and we all loved sitting around reading!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author in exchange for my review. ( )