Book Review: Pets in Poetry and Prose
Celebrating 25 years of PACT Animal Sanctuary.
This is a beautiful selection of poems, stories, illustrations and memories to mark the anniversary of 25 years of the PACT Animal Sanctuary based in Norfolk. The charity does an amazing job where other local animal organisations don’t have the facilities to cope, is known as one of the best environments for animal welfare training and has a Wildlife Hospital on the premises.
The book is sold in memory of Chris Rockingham, one of the initial founders of PACT. 2019 was a year not only of the pandemic but also the year in which Chris sadly died. This book really reflects the ups and downs of the last year. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on Pets in the Pandemic which brought to life the feelings of the past year from an animal’s point of view.
There was the dark side and the sad predictability of such a pandemic in the poems “Healing to the World” and “Nature’s Revenge” but also the aspects of tolerance, “digging in” and finding hope in a reflection written by Eleanor Roosevelt. The finite nature of life and unforgettable memories of animal friendships are portrayed in Chapter 3: In Memoria, and, of course, a chapter on Rainbow Bridge, a place which features strongly in the Reverend Vet’s Facebook Prayer group, was marvellously presented both in pictures, a short story “Water for my Friend” and poems.
From quotations which challenge how we live life to simply the sheer joy and happiness which animals bring us, this book is thought-provoking and is a recommended coffee table book to warm the hearts of animal lovers everywhere.
Did I have a favourite? I loved dipping into the book in the evenings but the poem and illustration of Kizzy by Karen Warnes was a firm favourite of mine.
KIZZY
My name is Kizzy
It means to be free
I like milk in the morning
And fish for my tea
I tell my owner I love her
When I climb on her knee
She likes to hear me purr
When she strokes my fur
I think she’s nice
That’s why I bring her mice.
Order the book
You can order Pets in Poetry and Prose yourself through their website and help support a great cause.
Posted on September 7th 2021
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