Book excerpt: Like Marianne Soucy's first book, 'Healing Pet Loss - Practical Steps for Coping and Comforting Messages from Animals and Spirit Guides', this book is based on her own experiences and Sacred Spirit Journeys (a form of shamanic journeying) where she connects with the spirit of animals that are alive, animals in the afterlife, and with spirit guides for healing, guidance and inspiration. Marianne has done many Sacred Spirit Journeys and brought back many beautiful messages from pets in the afterlife to their grieving human companions. In this book she shares some of those messages as well as healing advice also obtained in her spirit journeys. The book's framework is gratitude, and each chapter consists of a Sacred Spirit Journey with healing advice, insights and action steps you can take to heal when you are grieving the loss of your beloved animal companion. May the following quotes from animal companions inspire you and bring you peace: "I came bearing gratitude, and I leave carrying your love in my heart" ~ Minnie, an angel cat about a month before she passed "My life was lived in gratitude. Let gratitude be a way for you to let go of the pain and also a way to connect with me and my light." ~ Jack, an angel dog "With a heart that has opened to love, grief will also find a way in. Allow the grief to be there and let it go hand in hand with your love for me - for one doesn't exclude the other. The grief is an expression of your love. Allow yourself to grieve, in your own way, in your own time." ~ Trixie, an angel dog