When Winnie Went Away

A fictional guide through grief for anyone, young or old, who has ever loved and lost a pet

When a youngster confronts the painful loss of the family dog, an elderly neighbor offers a sympathetic ear.

“An inspiring and charming story filled with healing and spiritual wisdom. I highly recommend this helpful book for anyone who is recovering from a loss."

Trudy Griswold, Author of Angelspeake

How do you manage the heartbreak of pet loss?

What do you do to fill the gaping hole in your heart when your pet isn’t there to greet you at the door, give you a whinnying welcome at the barn, or simply be your constant companion? The one always by your side.

How do you explain to your children it’s okay to grieve a furry family member? And give them healthy ways to move forward?

Through a heartwarming fictional dialogue, When Winnie Went Away invites grieving animal lovers to consider the "why" of things that happen, honor their treasured memories and open themselves to love again.

“Gentle, simple, and compassionate…It is impossibly difficult to lose an animal companion. When Winnie Went Away is an invaluable resource for anyone who has ever loved and lost a pet.”

Pat Miller, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA. Peaceable Paws LLC

Written in dialogue, like a play, When Winnie Went Away is a fictional guide through grief for parents and children—anyone, young or old—who loses a pet.

In a series of chats over time, a youngster and an elderly neighbor share stories of losing furry best friends.

As they explore possibilities for transforming sorrow, dealing with blame, deflecting careless remarks, and keeping a pet’s memory alive, the child learns how:

Creating alternate stories can shift feelings
Remembering the ‘spark’ in all living things offers the possibility of reconnecting
Honoring a pet’s memory can lead to acceptance and closure
Harnessing the power of imagination creates the ability to heal

But neither neighbor imagines the surprising end to their explorations of pet loss.

“There are bereavement storybooks for young children and…detailed books for grieving adults, but not many books for people in between. The imaginings in this book…fill the gap and soothe heartache in a way not previously written about.”

Karen Shaw Becker DVM

More Praise for When Winnie Went Away

“An inspiring and charming story filled with healing and spiritual wisdom. I highly recommend this helpful book for anyone who is recovering from a loss.” Trudy Griswold, Author of Angelspeake

“Bonnie’s story guides the reader gently, lovingly, and imaginatively along a path that starts to heal the feelings of sorrow and loss that occur when a beloved pet dies. She also addresses more complicated emotions like confusion, guilt, and anger, which, once resolved, allow those grieving to move on. I love the artwork and the ability to add color…as an additional piece of the healing. A great book for children as well as adults!”
Kate Kennedy, EqTPM, CST Equine Muscle Therapist

For aching, tender hearts facing the loss of an animal friend, When Winnie Went Away invites deep understanding in sunny, digestible terms. There is kinship in the web of all things. Certainty in the whispers of heart. Seeds of possibility in the mind’s eye. This story skillfully encourages moving through grief with baby steps…Uplifting! Durga, Quantum Breakthroughs

This book presents a unique approach to the death of a pet (or anyone else) from a strong cognitive perspective that balances emotions at the same time. Using this process to look at death from a very active and specific frame of reference promotes the transformation of strong and heavy emotions into sweet, warm, uplifting, and loving memories in a moment’s time….this is a very valuable resource for all those who grieve deeply… which may very well be all of us.
Dory Dzinski, Licensed Professional Counselor, Trauma Debriefer

Winnie Went Away is a beautifully crafted, multi-dimensional exploration of the concept of death to help children understand and process loss – and life! Kreitler delivers her healing messages uniquely and creatively, always reminding us that at the heart of everything is love.
Lisa Jacoby, Professional Development Coach/Consultant

Some books come to you for a certain time in your life. This is one of those books…an exceptionally written, beautifully crafted book about grief for our animals and what it means to us….This book is for all of us that love and have lost our beloved animals.
L. Reed, NetGalley

Unique, original, insightful, compelling, extraordinary…a very special, thoughtful and thought-provoking read from beginning to end. Although a work of fiction, When Winnie Went Away has an undeniable resonance with real world experiences with children and their families who have beloved pets.
Mary Cowper, Midwest Review of Books

This book helped my grandchildren…It is very well written so that children can understand and learn. I would recommend it to others who are in this situation.
M. Weimer, NetGalley

I cried for every pet I ever lost. But it was a good cry. Brilliant story to help comfort yourself after you lose your best furry friends…
L. Phillips, NetGalley

Great book for adults and children. So much valuable insight that we can use in life.
Marlene Pero, Librarian

Meet the Author

Bonnie Kreitler, Award-Winning Journalist & Author

I am an author, journalist, and life-long animal lover with a deep curiosity about things that enable humans to enrich their connections to the great and small creatures in their lives.

Under the banner of Rambling Dog Publications, I collect, curate, and share information with fellow animal addicts about ways to care for, train, and communicate more clearly with our house pets and other animals we welcome in our lives.

Along our ramble, I include quirky bits about wildlife, intuitive communications, and more to encourage animal lovers to expand their perceptions of the critters we love.