Reader Comments
Not just for cat lovers. A must-read for anyone who’s loved and lost a pet. A reminder that our pets live on within us long after they’re gone – in our hearts and through the lessons they taught us.
Ms. King captures what’s in the heart of any pet lover…that special bond that does not need words to explain….along with providing several very timely and essential tips specifically for maintaining your cats health. I felt every tug on the heart strings as she described the journey with her beloved Buckley. The lessons learned, the lessons taught, and the resulting life enrichment will resonate with anyone who has ever loved a pet.
Linda Abshear, Indianapolis, IN
We got your book in at the Library where I work. What a wonderful, wonderful book! I smiled and cried and thought back to pets I’ve loved and lost. I can’t wait to recommend it to our patrons who I know will also be as touched as I was. Thank you for sharing Buckley with so many of us.
Rachelle Schlage-Luttig, Parksley, VA
Buckley’s Story is an intensely personal journey through a series of life lessons gifted to a deeply caring woman by the life and death of her beloved cat. Fortunately for the reader, Ms. King found relief from her grief in the chronicling of these lessons.
The story is spellbinding, by turns uplifting, sorrowful, funny, and profound. It is also absolutely accurate; I can attest to that, because I am the veterinarian who was privileged to care for Buckley. I love this book, for reasons that go far beyond simply having lived the story along with Ms. King. In the time I spent being Buckley’s vet, Ingrid challenged my thought processes in very important ways. Her approach to medicine was very much focused on the quality of life to be gained; a goal we veterinarians all too often unintentionally misplace in our zeal to diagnose and treat. Working with Ingrid deepened and changed my view of what defines compassionate care. Her experiences were common to many a pet owner with a terminally ill pet. Health care decisions, which many mistakenly believe are simple and straightforward, were often fraught with uncertainty. Guilt over causing stress by the act of treatment struggled with guilt over not treating. Ingrid had to learn to listen to her instincts, and to trust them; and to stand up against those who would judge her without understanding, who would try to convince her to subject Buckley to treatments that they thought were right even when she disagreed. Most of all, she needed to learn how to shed the heavy coat of dread and fear, in order to be able to share the joy of each new day with Buckley.
Buckley’s Story will speak to every pet owner who has ever asked themselves, “Is it time yet?” or struggled to find the courage to do what they feel is right for their pet, even if it goes against established norms. For me, though, the most valuable lesson I learned from Buckley and Ingrid was to let go of useless energy spent worrying about what the future holds; to live in and cherish the moment; to realize that all we have is the Now, and that this is not merely enough, it is truly an abundance of riches.
Fern Crist, DVM, Fairfax, VA
What a wonderful and compelling memoir about a determined cat and the person she stubbornly chose as her mother. The cat Buckley had a rough life and was saddled with what we humans would consider a significant handicap, but it never stopped her from enjoying every moment of life given to her.
Ingrid captured the process of how a bonding led to a loving home for Buckley perfectly. It’s sad the physical togetherness didn’t last nearly long enough, but her spirit lives on in the home and through this book.
This was a fascinating read. I was rather busy when I started the book but I kept sneaking in a few pages when I could, and finally just put everything else aside until I finished it. Highly recommended, especially for cat lovers.
Pat Blitz, St. Louis, MO
I just finished reading Buckley’s Story. Wow! I must say that it made me feel things inside my soul that were waiting to come out. My emotions went from joy to love to pride to understanding to sorrow to spiritual acceptance. The way that Ingrid King describes and paints her picture of the story of this beautiful, lucky little cat is inspirational. I could feel her emotions as I read on. It certainly is a page turner, I read it on a flight from Florida to New York. I could not put it down. She made me appreciate the things that I have in my life and even though she says that Buckley taught her things about life, Buckley taught me things about life too and I’ve never met her, just by reading her story.
I anguished with Ingrid as she tried to have Buckley fit into her life. I swelled with pride as she described how her cats waited for her at the top of the stairs when she came home. I read with joy as she described her life with her two adoring cats. I cried when Buckley got sick. I was happy when she got better. I don’t want to give away too much so I will stop there. This is a wonderful book for any cat lover. They will truly understand and appreciate Buckely as I do. I would have loved to have known Buckley but by reading this wonderful book, I feel as if I do know Buckley. I certainly would like to thank her for the things that she taught me, but somehow, I think she knows!
Linda Francese, Brookfield, CT
Ingrid King writes with great sensitivity. In Buckley’s Story, she combines the life lessons received from her special feline friend with her veterinary expertise. In sharing her wise insights, Ingrid provides invaluable information to assist with a pet’s terminal diagnosis and the inevitable grieving process.
I highly recommend Buckley’s Story for all animal lovers who wish to experience more love and joy in their lives.
Katharine Reiter, Pet Loss Specialist, Fairfax, VA
Buckley’s Story is not only the tale of a little cat who changed her human mommy’s life forever, but is also a book loaded with information about cat health and heart disease. The narrative envelops the reader as they journey with Ingrid through the many medical decisions that have to be made while her heart is breaking over the possibility of losing her beloved little girl forever.
However, Buckley proves to be so very much more than that frail little feline in a diseased and failing body. Little did Ingrid know that Buckley had much bigger plans in store for her — an amazing future beyond her wildest dreams. And all this came about because of this amazing little tortie who stole Ingrid’s heart the first moment they met. She had so much to give to Ingrid as well as others that she continues to do so today.
Nancy Slakoff, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Thank you so much for sharing Buckley’s Story with all of us. What a wonderful book! You wrote it so beautifully and it is such a loving tribute. Having had pets (dogs) most of my life, I could relate to so many things and emotions in your book. There is nothing like the unconditional love of a pet. You should be very proud of your book. And I’m sure Buckley is quite pleased you shared her teachings with the world. Congratulations!
PJ Winters, Dayton, OH
