In Loving Memory of Poochie
This writing was a cathartic experience enabling the author to recover, and is a memorial to the glorious life of Poochie. Pet lovers will find comfort and support in these passages of love and loss. 
The author at the launch of When Only the Love Remains is pictured here.
From the Author
Dear Reader:
This book is for those who share a love and concern for all animals. Anyone who has ever loved and lost an animal companion knows the incredible pain and feeling of emptiness. Poochie, my pet rabbit, died suddenly, at five years of age. As you read these poems, you will wish that you had known and loved her, as I had the great privilege to do. Poochie is every dog, cat, bird, horse, rabbit, ferret, hamster, guinea pig, or other animal that you have loved and lost. She lives in my heart and in every animal that I will love after her. I hope that this book can be a close friend to you and a source of comfort that will help you through the pain of losing a pet. Emily
From the back of the book:
The death of an animal friend is often completely devastating. This book of poems shows how the author turned the pain of pet loss into a healing experience and is a memorial to a pet rabbit named Poochie, whose life and death changed the author forever. For those who have ever suffered the loss of a beloved pet, here is a book that will validate your own feelings of pain and sorrow, and recognizes your need to grieve.
About the Author:
Emily Stuparyk is an animal lover whose passion for rabbits began in childhood. The author's own deep sadness following the death of her beloved pet rabbit, Poochie, prompted her to compile her own personal thoughts and feelings in the form of a journal. It is from this journal and extensive research on grieving that this book of poetry emerged.
An Excerpt from When Only the Love Remains
2000. Reprinted by permission.
All rights reserved
I Ask You Not To Mourn For Me ©
I ask you not to mourn for me,
For many long, sad days;
My tired body's gone to rest,
Kept warm by sun's soft rays.
I pray, don't long for me, my dear,
Our souls are bound with twine,
By love that knows no end in sight,
A hope, forever mine.
And finally, please do live your life,
My love surrounds your soul;
For when you cry those wretched tears,
Gold memories will take hold.
So think of me, my tearful friend,
Who loved me, loved me so,
My life with you was so complete,
It took God, to make me go.
Dr. Marty Becker, DVM, coauthor of 'Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul' says:"I laughed, I cried, I was uplifted! When Only The Love Remains was extraordinary and brought back powerful memories and emotions into my consciousness. This is a book you'll want not only for yourself, but for every pet lover who has faced the loss of a four-legged family member."
Mary Montgomery, author of 'GoodBye My Friend: Grieving the Loss of a Pet' says: "The poems in When Only The Love Remains are written with a warmth and honesty that plumb the depths of the grieving heart."
Rita M. Reynolds, author of 'Blessing the Bridge: What Animals Teach Us About Death, Dying, and Beyond' says: "To help her deal with the loss of Poochie, Emily turned to poetry, creating a volume of poems that not only offers a grand memorial to Poochie, but expresses all the emotions she felt on the loss of Poochie. How wonderful to find others who understand, have been through loss of and grieving for an animal, and who can help one bring these feelings out where they can be acknowledged and eventually healed."
Dr. Cindy Adams, M.S.W.,Ph.D., Human Animal Relations Specialist of the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph says: "Emily, through her poetry, provides a thoughtful, sensitive, and highly introspective account of her experience of coping with the loss of her beloved companion animal. Emily's description of her passage through grief will touch the lives of those who read her poetry and aid them to experience their grief, to the extent that is warranted, considering the depth of the loss. May Poochie continue to touch the heart and soul of others, as she did yours."
Vicki Burns, Executive Director of the Winnipeg Humane Society in Manitoba, Canada says: "The pain of Emily's loss is almost palpable as one reads her poems. Her work is a strong testament to the depth of the bond that exists between an individual and their pet."
Judith Tobin, Pet Loss Counselor, Miami, Florida: "Emily's poignant book of poems, honoring her relation with her pet rabbit Poochie, reached the depths of my heart. As a pet loss counselor, I have used 'When Only the Love Remains' in my pet loss seminars and found it to be both helpful and uplifting to clients. Let's hope that Ms. Stuparyk doesn't make us wait too long before she writes another uplifting book."
Kristi Dorian, writer for The Aquarian, Wpg, MB, Canada Spring 2000:"Through poems that allow us to glimpse her rabbit Poochie's spirit and personality, she evokes pictures of our own losses."
Jo Marchant, editor of "The Bunny Thymes", Ottawa, ON, Canada:"...Emily makes a public offering of her personal struggle, allowing herself to fully mourn the loss of her beloved Poochie."
Edward Zapletal, editor of PETS magazine, Nov/Dec, 2000:"The human-animal bond is a strong force that is not easily broken, and when that force is breached by the death of a beloved companion animal, the human heart and spirit undergo a tremendous assault. Emily's collection of poems are a must read for anyone who has suffered the loss of an animal companion."
Reviewer: Carole Valley-Pryce from Canada :"Through reading Emily's experiences I draw comfort in knowing that these thoughts are such a part of us all! The need for "reconnecting" in one of her passages, where one wants "just one more touch, one more day" is so true. Moreover, the constant reassurance that God is watching over our beloved pets is something I think of each day. Why shouldn't they be looked after as we hope for ourselves, for they are such aninnocent life. I guess, death in all its darkness, appears to make us all more compassionate and honest with each other. At least I would hope. I know I am a better person to have shared my life with my Benjamin bunny, who reminded me throughout his days, of the REAL definition of humanity. And in his memory, I wish to thank-you, Emily, for doing the work that you do!"
Reviewer: Marinda Stretavsky from Pittsburgh, PA:"In this sensitive and honest work, the author shares her truest feelings about losing her beloved pet. Her feelings show us that having an animal loss (as opposed to human loss) in one's life does not diminish it's intensity or grief. The bond between animal and human is so great (in the shamanistic sense, the rabbit has become her power animal) that upon losing the pet, she has lost a part of herself. As with a human loss, another rabbit cannot replace the one who has died. She shows us how she passes from one stage of grief to another. In time, she realizes that Poochie, the rabbit never left her side and her memories enable her to go on with her life. This book is the most beautifully sensitive account of one's experience with pet loss. As the poems are written straight from the heart, you will laugh and cry as you learn how Poochie made such a great impact on the author's life. "
Reviewer: Terry Hickey, Halton/Peel PLSG from Canada:"Emily has written this book of poetry with love - she understands the pain of pet loss that every person who loves a pet will eventually experience. She takes the reader on a journey, recognizable by all of us, through the pain, the anger, the denial, and the guilt we feel when our beloved companion animals go to the "Rainbow Bridge". I was comforted to know that the emotions I felt at the loss of my Smokey had also been felt by Emily. Readers will be comforted to know that they are not alone in their grief. As I continued to read these beautiful tributes to "Poochie", I could feel the love pouring off of the pages as Emily, and I, remembered with love, our beloved furbabies. Although I shed tears as I read this book, these tears were healing and I felt as if Emily was there, by my side, as some of the pain ebbed away. By the end of the book, I felt as if Emily had also been there, supporting me, as I remembered my Smokey with happy memories and smiles. Thank you Emily for putting into such beautiful words the love that will always remain in our hearts."
Reviewer: Mary Giraldo from Land O'Lakes, Florida:"It was so hard dealing with the tragic loss of our beloved rabbit 'Bunny'. I was especially drawn to the book because the author wrote the book while also dealing with the loss of her pet rabbit. Stuparyk was able to convey in words, what everyone dealing with pet loss endures. I found extreme comfort from each and every poem and could wholeheartedly relate to all of her feelings. I recommend this to anyone dealing with the loss of their furry friend."
Reviewer: Elizabeth Allan, public health nurse from White Rock, BC, Canada:"Emily's personal experience of grief and sharing the rawness of emotion gives others permission to feel their grief. Her profound understanding of the grief experience gives others validation."
Reviewer: Cynthia Lindsay from Lawrenceville, Georgia:"The author could have been writing about my own pet. Her sincere, honest portrayal of her feelings touched me so much that I was able to write down my own feelings about a much loved and missed pet. It was like she knew me and my pet. I could feel the pain of her loss--it matched mine. Her book gave me so many things to think about. I recommend this book highly and plan to share it with others who need help in healing from the loss of a pet."
Reviewer:Mskitty from Petersburg, Virginia:"My beloved kitty companion of nine years died suddenly on Sept.16, 2004. The totally unexpected loss of Sugarpuss is a terrible shock. I read most of this book in one sitting, crying, as in my mind, I put my kitty in the place of Stuparyk's beloved rabbit, Poochie, who also died on Sept.16, seven years ago. The poems are moving, especially the final one entitled When Only the Love Remains. I also very much identify with the poem when the author wishes for one more chance to hold her bunny alive again, which is how I feel about my Sugarpuss. I know I will go to this book again over the next several weeks. I would particularly recommend this book for someone who feels grief, but also who has problems expressing it, or who feels funny about being so emotional over the loss of a companion animal."
Home