“A heart-wrenching debut memoir exploring the boundaries of love and the effects of loss… Margo met her friend Brian’s puppy, Zeak, and felt a profoundly close connection to him… When… he needed to find a home for Zeak, Margo adopted him… The dogs bonded… and Zeakie Dog joined Margo and Lakota on patient visits… until… Margo discovered what appeared to be “huge, golf ball size lumps all over [Zeakie’s] face.”… Margo writes with deep conviction about her commitment to Zeakie, their desperate journey and her tireless research into every… resource available… as she and Zeakie began a desperate race against time… eventually bringing their connection to a higher spiritual level. A touching testimonial for animal lovers who’ve experienced deep connections with their pets.”
“This beautiful memoir confirmed what I have always known in my heart; that our spiritual bond with our pets cannot be broken… EVER! They will always be with us, comforting us, guiding us, and eventually meeting us in a better place. Having experienced similar spiritual events with my pets, I feel that animals are more sensitive, kind, and loving than humans can ever hope to be. An experience like this can happen to anyone if their eyes and heart are open.”
—Sandy S., teacher, Pilates instructor, animal lover
“I loved this book. It is a wonderful story of love, hope, and heartbreak and faith—a page-turner from the beginning to end. Each chapter is filled with humor, surprises, and poignant dialogue. I was totally engaged throughout the book and gained insight into the life of dogs and the people they profoundly affect. As a cancer survivor I could relate to all the hardships, stress, and suffering chronicled here. However despite this, the book is uplifting and it will make you believe and realize that the power of love lives on.”
—Mary-Ellen Marmo, Educator and Director
“Once in a while a book comes along that is a bittersweet miracle. Margo Bowblis’ debut memoir is a treasure, an opportunity to share her wisdom and experience gained through the unforgettable journey and inspiring story of the life and death of Zeak, a very special dog.”
—Doreen Corsetto, retired Library Media Specialist & District Supervisor, currently adjunct professor at William Paterson University
“Here is a thought-provoking story for anyone who loves animals. Whether or not you are a believer is irrelevant—you will be caught up in the ‘tails’ that unfold. This wonderful book will bring smiles and tears to readers of all ages who open their hearts and minds.”
—Nancy Bosch, School Library Media Specialist
“The author’s gifts for sharing insights into how dogs think and feel are truly amazing. In this extraordinary memoir, I traveled with Zeak as he and his dog friends romped joyfully though the woods and around the lake until that fateful visit with the vet. Anyone who has experienced love and loss, whether pet or human, will treasure the compassion and encouragement of this incredible journey with Margo, Zeak, and Lakota.”
—Mary S. Yoga teacher
“This is an unforgettable journey of hope; one that says a great deal about who we are and who we can be. The interaction between Margo Bowblis and her dog, Zeak, at various times challenging, funny, touching and deeply spiritual, allows us a glimpse into the kind of relationship we may all have with our pets, should we be open to it. If you’ve ever had a dog, loved a dog, or even seen a dog, once having read this beautiful and touching memoir, I guarantee you, you’ll never see them the same way again.”
—James Kelly School administrator and author
“I don’t usually like memoirs, but I read this book and it changed my whole perspective. This book made me appreciate my dogs life more. We all know that dogs don’t live as long as humans. When I read this book it made me understand that when it is my dogs time to go, it will be better for him. I believe that when dogs pass they watch over us and protect us.
This book takes you on a trip through Margo’s life with The Zeakie dog and Lakota. She brings you on the amazing journey of when Zeak gets lymphoma. She tells about all the obstacles about having a dog with cancer. She also uses amazing detail in her book. When she was sad I was sad. That’s how descriptive she is. She also puts amazing pictures and pencil drawings in her book. She also adds very humorous parts in her book. The book switches from the present to when she had Zeakie.
All in all this was a very great book I loved it and will save it for when it is time for my dog to leave this world.”
—Anthony A. 6th grade student
“I have never read a more touching piece about the connection and love between a human and an animal family member, as ‘Walking with the Shadow of Love’! The book is beautiful and I loved the way you interspersed chapters of present care and concern with italicized sections looking back on the amazing and sorrowful, but in many ways uplifting spiritual remembrances.”
—Zeke
“You are quite the artist and I loved all your renderings of The Zeakie Dog and Lakota and others as well. There are not many that might have striven to find ways to keep your lovely friend continuing to the end, and I must admit your wish to not prolong any pain or suffering for your Zeakie Dog is very evident. To me the book is a masterpiece that many ‘pet’ owners should read and take to heart! There is certainly a strong connection between living entities, but may also extend into the beyond, mostly beyond our ability to understand.
You should be very proud of your creation, your book, it is a tribute to a love that must be stated and related so others might know of such things.”
–anon
“This is a great, well-written book. Very interesting. Will hold your interest. I highly recommend it.Read it and pass the word on.”
—Carol T.
“The author of this book offers a heartfelt story of the journey she had with a wonderful dog who although he left this world far too soon continues to shine his spirit bright and walk beside his friends. It captures the life, love and friendship of not only a woman and her beloved dog but also her human friends and other animal friends as well. It explores the spiritual side of our relationships with our pets that few books venture into … If you have ever lost a pet and wondered does their spirit live on read this book, please … The story line is true to life and filled with humor,love,sadness,friendship, hope, and faith. This is a meaningful, wonderful book. The illustrations in this book are lovely and add an extra special look into the ‘family’ of friends.”
—Donna Sweet Dog trainer
“I just finished ‘Walking with the Shadow of Love’. It made me cry and laugh at the same time. Being an animal lover and having lost a wonderful dog, Darien, I could share Margo’s feelings toward her dogs, Lakota and The Zeakie dog.
Pets bring so much to our lives, and unconditional love is the best of their gifts. The author tells a very personal tale of her relationships to her pets, the environment and the condition we call life. Her love and caring of both the good and bad aspects of having a pet are thoroughly explored.
If you have ever lost a furry loved one, read this book. It offers a chance of closure to their passing and also opens a door of opportunity to show that life goes on and we can still love them after death.”
—Judith M.
“A wonderful captivating true love story of the spiritual bond between human and dog soul mates. I felt so many similar experiences after my beloved 16-year-old Golden Retriever passed and have not told anyone because they would probably think I’m just imagining things in my grief. This book is so comforting and has reassured me that she is still with me at all times in spirit and protects me as always. As I read each page of this book I smiled, laughed, cried, and went through all the same emotions the author was experiencing. It brought back all the wonderful love and companionship, happy and sad times, desperate and hopeless, devastating and yet hopeful ones… Most of all the comfort knowing we will be together again.
Highly recommended and a must-read for anyone who has shared a deep love and understanding with an animal.
—Beeps
I couldn’t put it down. What an amazing insight through the spiritual journey of being a pet owner.
—Katherine Vnenchak