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Animals, Death and the Spirit World

Animals, Death and the Spirit World

A note by the author of ‘Dixie’s Tale’, H.E. Joseph

 

DixieMy inspiration for writing this novel came both from personal experience and research. The central character – a West Highland Terrier named Dixie – did not come about purely by chance. His character formed in my mind thanks to numerous anecdotes and inspiring stories I researched and heard at first from many awe-inspiring, loving dog owners, who testified passionately about their belief that their beloved animals have played a pivotal spiritual role in their lives. Some of these stories included individuals whose dogs saved them from death; led them to their lost belongings; or helped them grieve the loss of a loved one who had recently passed away.

It was this last theme in particular that struck a chord with me. From all that I have read and heard about dogs (and, indeed, many other animals) and their relationship with their human counterparts, there is a very strong sense amongst pet owners that their animals possess real souls, personality – and even intellect. Most of all, many pet owners appear to hold the strong conviction that the soul and spirit of their adored and faithful animal companion has an impact on their earthly life – even after their pet’s passing to the spiritual realms upon their physical death. It is almost as though their pet acts as some kind of guardian angel or spirit guide whilst on earth – and then, once more, from inside the spiritual realms.

And thus Dixie, the central character in ‘Dixie’s Tale’, can be seen affecting, manipulating and commenting upon the lives and dilemmas faced by the human characters in the book (without giving too much away about the storyline!). This West Highland Terrier’s story is completely entwined and synchronised with the lives of his human counterparts – both before and after his earthly ‘death’.

Indeed death and grief are the central themes of the novel. I examine in particular the grief that can arise through miscarriage and child loss – simply because I have direct and personal experience of this. It is so often the case that some of the rawest forms of grief are not articulated, but ‘Dixie’s Tale’ looks at these issued head-on: it does not shy away from topics that can so often seem taboo or unspeakable. Dixie’s character in particular looks at issues of life, death and grief directly and in a practical manner. His role throughout the book is to convince the human beings whose lives he has been part of (both on earth and in the spiritual realms) that death never means separation or the end – whether we are human or animal.

Dixie is hopefully successful in fulfilling this role.

 

                                                                                    H.E. Joseph, January 2013

 

‘Dixie’s Tale’ – an Overview

 

On a warm July afternoon, in a leafy setting, in Buckinghamshire, England, a West Highland Terrier pup is born to the world.

Dixie is destined to affect the lives of many human beings on earth. Among them are Susan and Ray Carmichael – cosmetic dentists at an exclusive London clinic – who are grieving the loss of their baby son; unhappily married Matthew Rourke, who has just been made redundant from an exclusive London shoe store; and the very affluent Morgan family, who are harbouring many deep and painful secrets from their past.

All of these people are connected more deeply than they can possibly know. But it is up to Dixie to magically merge their past, present and future lives together.

Working alongside some of his many secret acquaintances, after his ‘death’ at the tender age of three, Dixie encourages the individuals in his tale to re-evaluate their earthly lives, and to re-visit many ghosts from their past.

In a fascinating story of tragedy and healing, the human beings, whose lives Dixie has touched on earth, are gradually able to recognise the pivotal role played by this feisty, clever and determined West Highland Terrier pup.

 

Dixie's Tale is available from Amazon UK on this link

and from Amazon.com on this link

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