Monday, February 18, 2013

Book Review: Crazy Critter Lady by Kelly Meister

After having reviewed a delightful book by author Bob Tarte, I was contacted by author Kelly Meister, a friend of Bob's, asking if I would be interested in receiving her book, Crazy Critter Lady, to review as well.  I eagerly accepted figuring that if she was a friend of Bob's, whose writing I greatly admire, then the odds were pretty good that I was going to enjoy her book as well. My instincts were correct.


Kelly Meister, spent years in therapy as a result of childhood sexual abuse. Her life, for many years, was spent in "darkness and chaos." Lesser people might have shattered to bits, never breaking free of the depression that ensued as a result of having endured such horrific experiences.

The "saner" Kelly became, the less she chose to spend her time with "dysfunctional humans." She turned to animals instead.

From the publisher: Crazy Critter Lady takes readers on an emotional roller coaster ride, as Kelly discovers the hitherto-unknown delights of friendship with a band of flightless ducks, deals with Spanky the cat's low self-esteem, and learns life lessons taught by an aged horse. The author spends money she can't afford on creatures others are content to leave dying at the side of the road, and often risks rabies, and drowning in the process. Sharing her life with a quirky cast of characters, Meister invites you to come along and meet the gang.
Kelly and "Spanky"

Some of the "gang" include:

Winkie the leash/harness wearing "soul kitty" who passed much earlier than he should have. The pain and love in Kelly's words will touch the hearts of anyone who has lost a beloved "soul" pet.

Zoe the Barking Dog who was virtually ignored by her owners, but every day would wait by the fence of her yard, delighting in the biscuits and love that Kelly would give to her.

Kelly touched the lives of birds, frogs, mice, raccoon, her uncanny ability to sense what an animal was feeling had a Dr.Doolittle-esque quality.

Kelly's life now is about healing. She is healing the wounds of the past by helping a vast array of animals either "heal" or helps them cross the Bridge with loving kindness, in many cases it is kindness that the ailing animal probably never had experienced before, but at least was able to experience in it's final hours.

Kelly feels that the "critters" helped her to become "whole", helped her to heal the wounds of the past.

Crazy Critter Lady is touching, in many instances, humorous,  it is raw, honest, and throughout the entire book, it speaks the language of love. There are moments when you will rejoice, some where you will shed a tear, but in the end you will marvel at how through helping to save animals, with a dedication that is truly a passion, you will cheer for the woman who learned how to save HERSELF.

Kelly learned how to save herself by the lessons the animals she has touched have taught her. She learned how to be patient, loving and trusting through the animals that she met along the way. In her mind, "she owes them BIG."

There are many of us who can relate to wanting to return the gifts that animals have given to so many of us. If more people felt this way,  the world would be that much better.

In my opinion Kelly is hardly "crazy", those who can turn their backs on animals in need are the "crazy" ones, not Kelly.
"Duck Hug"

In this world we need more Kelly's and many of you who are reading this review ARE like Kelly. True animal lovers  can relate when Kelly says when referring to the gifts the animals have given her, "I owe them. I owe them BIG. It's a debt that I'm happy to spend the rest of my days repaying. So I'll keep chatting with chipmunks, I'll shoo squirrels out of the road. I'll rescue flightless ducks from frozen ponds. I'll stop to help injured raccoon and I'll worry about things like rabies later. If that makes me crazy, then so be it."

To that, I say, "YOU GO GIRL!!"
Kelly and the ducks!



As is stated in the early pages of this inspiring book: "The greatness of a nation, and its moral progress, can be judged by the way its animals are treated.
-Mohandas Gandhi

From Cat Chat: God Bless you, Kelly Meister, for all you have endured, for the creatures you have touched, for the lives you have saved. God Bless you for loving and fighting for the rights of those that cannot speak for themselves.



To purchase Crazy Critter Lady on Amazon click here
It is also available via Barnes & Noble by clicking here
Buy the e-book here

Connect with Kelly on her blog by clicking here
Visit her website here


51 comments:

  1. Bravo to fight for those who cannot speak for themselves. Have a marvelous Monday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  2. Kelly sounds like a very special lady...and no doubt this is a very special book. Anybody who can be that tuned in to animals deserves all the blessings in life they can get. Wonderful review!!

    Pam and Sam

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    1. Thank you Pam and Sam and Kelly sure is. The book is fantastic, another that I couldn't put down until I had finished it.

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  3. That was one great review and it sure sounds like a book I would love to read but we don't have any green papers right now. Too many sick critters. She does not sound crazy at all just a very smart gal to turn to the animals. There isn't anything better. Have a great day Caren.

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    1. Marg thank you and I am so glad that you saw this. The entire time I was reading the book and writing the review I thought of you and all of YOUR critters! Sending much love!

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  4. Woof! Woof! Wonderful Lady ... not crazy at all. I say Loving Critter Lady. Golden Thanks for sharing. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

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  5. This book is right up my alley. One more for my TBR list.

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  6. Loving Critter Lady for certain. I wish there were more like her. XX

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  7. Thanks for the kind words, everybody, and thank you, Caren, for the wonderful review!

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    1. Kelly you are most welcome! It was my pleasure, I couldn't put your book down. Thank you for affording me the opportunity of reviewing it and thank you for all that you do for the animals!

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  8. Noted that one down..I have a whole collection now to read :) Nothing like a good book.. xx00xx

    Mollie and Alfie

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  9. Sounds like my kind of book. I'll be checking it out. Thanks for the review.

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  10. Hmm, not sure if my first set of comments went thru or not. If it did - just delete this one. Anyway I appreciate the review. Sounds like my kind of book so I'll be going over to check it out.

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    1. "M" I know you will love this book! I am sure your comment went through. I use comment moderation so nothing gets posted until I approve it :)

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  11. That sounds like a really great book!

    Nubbin wiggles,
    Oskar

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  12. And through the healing of the beloved animals, Kelly's own healing continues and her 'now' shall lead to an ever better future.

    And a positive environment starts from within. Bless her for all she does and the inspiration she provides. In kindness and hope, your friend, Gary :)

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    1. Gary I LOVED this: "And a positive environment starts from within." you know we think the WORLD of you! ((((hugs)))))

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  13. Kelly doesn't sound that crazy to us, but then again, we just may be a little touched. LOL. Thanks for this wonderful review, Caren and Cody. We'll check this one out for sure. :)

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    1. you will soooo be able to relate! You are welcome and thank you for reading it!

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  14. Whoa--Duck Hug! Ha ha ha! I nefur saw a duckie hug before...well, except for Derby and Ducky in Whiskerconsin!

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  15. This sounds like a wonderful book. Thank you for this review, Caren!

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  16. What an amazing person. That duck hug picture was adorable. Sounds like a great book to read.

    Oink oink,
    Katie and Coccolino the mini pig

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  17. I also met Kelly through Bob, whom I have loved (& reviewed) for years. I reviewed her book last year, too. They are definitely critter people, which I love.

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    1. thank you for the double endorsement! An extra bonus when I met them both is that Bob is from Michigan (like me) and Kelly is from Ohio (my home state).....they sure "grow 'em" good there! :)
      They are down-to-earth GENUINE animal lovers that is for sure!

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  18. Peoples who can does that for animals roocks! Wes shall has to add this to our reading list!
    Kisses
    Nellie

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    1. you are so right Nellie! glad you are adding it to your list! xoxo

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  19. Thanks so much for introducing us to this wonderful book, Caren! We love our animals for their devotion and we know they'll never hurt us..She's living a very happy life!

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  20. Kelley sounds like a wonderful person who has managed to overcome betrayals that send so many of us spiraling out of control. She learned to trust the animals who needed her and in return was healed.

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    1. Dorothy she does, doesn't she? You are so right and I couldn't have said it better.

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  21. Wow... Kelly really touches me! It's great she speaks to animals and cares for those less fortunate than us lucky dogs and pets with blogs!
    I would not call her CRAZY. She is a very touching role model for what more humans should be like!
    Pippa

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  22. We all just love those special humans! Thanks for telling us about this one!

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  23. What a wonderful book AND a wonderful human.
    I just love wonderful humans. : )
    xo, Katie

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  24. Wow, that does sound like a wonderful book for sure.

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  25. That sounds like a really great book! I'm always looking for books about animals I can read and enjoy :)

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  26. Great review - downloading the eBook now. She sounds like a pretty amazing person.

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