For Bea: The Story of the Beagle Who Changed My Life

Rating:
Summary: Provocative subject matter...
Review: ...but poorly written. Honest, the last thing I want to do is criticize the author, she is most likely an awesome person, but this book is way too "flufffy" for me. Written in much the same way as the book "Best Friends...", about the animal sanctary in Utah. I am an animal lover to the core, but I can't take all the fluff! If you like poetry that is elaborately written, or romance novels, and love animals, you'll love this book. I couldn't get through it. I give it three stars because of the subject matter. Every ex-lab animal should have such an end.

Rating:
Summary: for bea
Review: A great story of how a "used & abused" beagle becomes a happy and loving family pet. Kristin captures the essence of the true beagle personality with her stories of Bea. If you are a beagle person this book is a MUST READ !!! I laughed and cried as the story goes through the ups and downs of beagle ownership. An absolutely wonderful book with very descriptive writing. I can't wait to read all her other books !!!

Rating:
Summary: Thank You!
Review: As a former beagle-owner, the story of Bea touched my soul. This is a beautifully written book, full of stories to which all dog-owners can relate. How wonderful to follow Von Kreisler's adventures with Bea over a period of many years, to be reminded of the joys, sorrows, and rewards of raising and loving an animal. Bea's story reminded my wife and I so much of our dear departed beagle - it motivated us to go out and rescue or adopt one who needs a good home. Thank you for giving us the idea and the courage to make another dog a part of our lives!

Rating:
Summary: What an Angel!
Review: Becoming a dog owner for the first time in the last year, I adopted two beautiful beagles. As in this book, I have discovered that a beagle is just an angel in a furry body - you can't find a sweeter, more gentle, loving pet. This book tells Bea's story, but also is sprinkled with beagle facts and information on animal testing. This book maybe too "fluffy" for some guys, but I think that overall anyone whose life has been touched by a beagle will enjoy reading it.

Rating:
Summary: A Very Touching Story
Review: I finished this book in a few hours and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our family adopted a rescue beagle less than two months ago, so the subject was dear to my heart. Like Bea, our beagle was "damaged goods" (missing an eye and about to be euthanized) but he has brought so much joy into our lives in just a few weeks. I think this book would appeal particularly to beagle owners and lovers (the digression about beagle history in the middle of the book might be less interesting for some, although being new to beagles, I found it fascinating). However, anyone who loves animals and likes "ugly duckling" stories would enjoy this book. It is heartwarming to read about Bea's transformation from an abused research animal into a loving and much-loved member of the family.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointment from a Beagle Lover
Review: I have been owned by three beagles in my life, and I speak about them in a much more animated fashion than the author of this book does. I was thrilled to get it; I love any dog story, and if it's about a beagle, so much better. But I was disappointed with the way the book flowed. Much time was spent on the time right after aquiring Bea, and dealing with her adjustments, and a fair amount of time was spent on her declining years. But I felt the middle part was really missing. It was more about trials and tribulations than about the satisfaction of seeing a dog become an adjusted member of the family. I found the book depressing and sad, and the last chapter was too preachy for me to handle. She also borrowed liberally from her prior book. Very disappointing all the way around.

Rating:
Summary: Dog Lover
Review: I saw this book many times up for auction at the Beagle Rescue sites but was afraid to purchase it because I thought it would be too sad. I read the book slowly one night and found it to be a heartfelt story about a much loved pet. As a beagle owner, I could relate, and laugh, about the stubborn beagle behavior of Bea. A little preachy in the end about what you can do about animal experimentation but otherwise a great read for beagle lovers.

Rating:
Summary: Very moving and inspiring story
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was an eye opener about how terrible the effects of cruelty can be on an animal, but love and patience win out in the end. This is a very personal story about Bea and how thee author and her husband bring this abandoned victim back to the world, how it affected their own life and relationship. Very funny at times, sad at times, but uplifting and encouraging.

Rating:
Summary: Heart Warming and Wonderful
Review: Kristin Von Kreisler's tribute to Bea, a beagle that she obviously loved with all her heart, is a must read for everyone. I was saddened over the possibilities that might have been the first years of Bea's life, I was encouraged at every step Bea took towards healing, I cried at set backs, laughed at her antics and fell totally in love with Bea.

Rating:
Summary: Enlightenment
Review: Prior to reading this book I had thought very little about the use of animals in labs. On its face, a sweet story about a dog, it is a very gentle introduction to a number of very important social and political issues. It is primarily a story about the life changing power of compassion. But it also encourages the reader to question a philosophy of cruelty which exists, perhaps not so secretly in our society and, in that respect, has a much broader relevance that the actual scope of the story. The book inspired me to make inquiries that has broadened my awareness to the extent that I can say Bea did, in fact, change my life as well.