This is a lovely addition to the “Dog’s Purpose” series. “I’m Still Here” is a beautifully illustrated, beautifully written book with a beautifully comforting message. The book itself would certainly appeal to children—the pictures are engaging and the words are simple and easy to understand—but the underlying message is 100% for more mature audiences. Having recently lost my own dog, I was bawling by the end for sure, but it brought me comfort and reminded me of the happy times I had with him.

“It’s a dog’s purpose to love people. That’s how we’ve made.”

This book found me just when I needed it. A few weeks ago we had to say goodbye to our old 15YO friend, and we are getting ready to open our hearts again in a few weeks for another adventure with another companion.
I think I cried from start to finish. The watercolour illustrations in the book are gorgeous and depict perfectly the models’ personalities. They accompany a very delicate text that takes our hand through our grief process with a lot of sensibility (no matter your beliefs on the subject). But it goes way beyond that. The true subject of that book is the relationship between dogs and humans. I loved how it was told, and it aligns perfectly with my own vision. I liked to “hear” the dog’s voice, to be surrounded by scents (*you smell* made me swoon more than once), and love. A lot of love. How training was mentioned was also a great part in the book which made me laugh for its reliability.
Yes, it’s a book about how to overcome the loss of your dog. But it’s also (and mostly) a book about hope, and about the unconditional love that bonds dogs and humans. Just the (short) read I needed.

Thank you NetGalley, Cathryn Michon and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Absolutely beautiful and the perfect book for the the situation. Gave me all sorts of feelings as I currently have a senior dog and am terrified of what is inevitably going to happen. This book is perfect in every which way. Thank you

The most adorable loving and wonderful book about dogs who have crossed over and are still with us. The illustration alone will make you laugh, cry if you need to and just be SO Happy you had this wonderful companion with you for as long as you've had them.
I read this book in about one hour and I could only think how wonderful it would be to give it to someone who has had the wonderful experience of loving a dog and having to let them go. The book made me laugh and sigh and made me hopeful that on the other side of the Rainbow bridge I have a lot of friends waiting for me.
I've had three dogs of my own and I've been a pet sitter for twenty years so there are a lot of wonderful dogs that have past through my life and I have loved them all, and this book lets me remember all the funny things dogs do, and I don't know what my life would have been like without them. And I like that this book confirms my belief that they are still with us and that they let us know they are there. in little way.

I want to thank Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book about our wonderful dog companions that we love.

My beloved toy maltese died almost two years ago, so I gravitated towards this book. It's a little over 100 pages and contains lovely dog illustrations. It only took about twenty minutes for me to read this. It kind of looks like a children's book, but it's for us adults. It's beautiful, gentle, a tear-jerker. It falls under the "self-help" genre, and I can see why. The deceased dog narrates the book talking about how even though physically he's not here, his soul is still with you. He still loves you, but he's also happy there....over the Rainbow Bridge...and he's waiting for you. And there are little signs where he sends you his love from above. There's a whole lot more, but I don't want to give this special book away-except to someone who is grieving over their dog. I would definitely buy this book and give it to a doggie angel mom or dad. It encourages adopting another dog, which is something I greatly support.

Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

This was a cute story, that can people a different perspective when grieving the loss of their dog. It had great illustrations and it is a great gift for people who have lost a dog.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my review of the book.

Ahhh! Such a sweet, sweet book! I can see myself buying this to give to friends when/if they lose their furbabies. People who get it, get it. Your dogs are more than dogs - they are family. They love deeply and purely and once you’ve opened yourself up to that love, you never forget it! If you love your furbaby, buy this book!! It’s hope after loss.