Our first book in the Jack McAfghan series was "Jack McAfghan: Reflections on Life with my Master". Jack quickly developed a following by helping people to work through their grief, walking them through it each step of the way. As a canine "grief counselor," Jack connected readers with their own loved ones and brought those loved ones back for healing.
After that book was published in June 2015 I just kept writing and writing and writing.
Last month, a family member called to congratulate me on the then-upcoming publication of "The Lizard from Rainbow Bridge." She had no idea what this book was about. She then asked me: "Are all your books about dead dogs?"
Well, no. This second one is about a lizard actually. A dead one. A dead one who lives on in another dimension. Ok?
My next book, yes, it's about a "dead dog" too. Jack is back again. In the style of his first books, he helps the reader through their grief by teaching and supporting... and sharing the wonderful story of his journey to Rainbow Bridge and back again. "Return from Rainbow Bridge" is a book, also narrated by Jack McAfghan, that speaks of why we die, how we die, how we can return to life and how the end of this life is not the end of life at all. We hope to release it by the end of this year.
What's next after that? Well, I guess it's about a "dead dog" too. It's a book about the progression of death in all things. It's a small booklet that guides a stressed reader through the dying process. After 30 years working with Death and Dying I have witnessed the same things happen over and over again. There is a somewhat predictable course when one prepares to die of natural causes. This little book will prepare the reader to recognize the stages of the journey and to best prepare for the inevitable. It is told by---- Jack, the canine grief counselor. Jack just seems to have a better way with words than I do.
....And the next book after that comes along as a matter of course. Over the past year or so, as Jack worked his way into the hearts of his readers, they wrote him fan mail and many letters seeking support, comfort and advice. "Letters from Rainbow Bridge" brings his answers to their questions about death, dying, decision-making, emotional issues and confusion that are a part of grief. He teaches the reader how to find the best help and how best to help others who are going through loss.
That said, there is another book. I was almost finished with it before the fateful week that changed my life. In July 2014 I took Jack in for surgery on a Monday, taking that week off to be near him and to finish the book. But it didn't unfold that way. Jack passed that Friday and my father passed the next day... I short sold my home the following month. Caught up in grief and loss, I was paralyzed for six months. Then Jack brought me back to life. He came back into my life and rocked my world. He gave my words back to me and brought my intuition into the light of day. I never planned to write all these other books. He inspired all of them.
"It's All About You" will be finished after "Letters" ...and there are many many more books forthcoming. This journey is definitely not about a 'dead dog'. It is about Letting Go of everything we ever thought Love was. Everything we ever thought Life was. Everything we thought Death was.
Sometimes you have to reach a certain age, a certain stage in life to find out what makes you happy. I am currently looking for new housing and a simpler life, financially and otherwise, because All I Want To Do Is Write. I will sacrifice everything and do whatever it takes to make this happen.
See you in my next book!
