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Angel By My Side

Name: Angel By My Side
Price: 16.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781401900588

✍️ Mike Lingenfelter, David Frei

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$16.99 ~~$20.00~~ Save $3.01 (15%)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

This paperback narrative outlines how a golden retriever named Dakota aided Mike Lingenfelter through physical rehabilitation following two major heart attacks and open-heart surgery. Beginning in 1995 when Lingenfelter felt ready for life to end, the book documents how taking in a rescued dog provided both emotional support and life-saving protection. Dakota repeatedly intervened during life-threatening health emergencies. Co-written with David Frei, the work focuses on the practical and emotional bond between an ailing owner and a devoted pet.

🕯️

Occult Philosophy

🏛 Hay House 📅 2002 📖 224 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781401900588

Fun Fact

This poignant memoir excels at capturing the extraordinary depth of the human-animal bond, offering a truly inspiring testament to resilience and mutual healing. While it might disappoint those seeking detailed occult explorations or specific breed insights, it stands as a powerful, emotionally resonant narrative within the pet literature genre. It beautifully illustrates how profound companionship can be a literal lifesaver, making it a compelling read for anyone who believes in the heart's capacity for recovery and love.

📝 Description: Angel By My Side

Mike Lingenfelter details his personal recovery following two serious heart attacks and open-heart surgery. Depressed and ready for his life to end in 1995, Lingenfelter experienced a shift when he took in Dakota, a golden retriever rescued from death. The narrative focuses on physical rehabilitation, animal companionship, and the bond between a man and his canine protector. As Lingenfelter works through his health crises, Dakota learns to anticipate emergency medical events, ultimately saving Lingenfelter's life on multiple occasions. Co-authored by David Frei, the text centers entirely on the real events surrounding Lingenfelter's medical recovery and his dog's intervention. The book suits readers seeking real-life stories about animal intelligence, canine rescue, and medical service dogs. It is an essayistic narrative focused strictly on dog breeds and pet companionship. It does not suit readers looking for technical medical guides, historical overviews, or fictional stories, as it remains a personal account of one man's physical rehabilitation alongside his golden retriever.

💎 Expert review

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💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

While deeply moving for animal lovers and those in recovery, this title may disappoint readers seeking rigorous occult theory or complex philosophical discourse. It is not suited for skeptics who dismiss emotional narratives as mere sentimentality without substantive metaphysical framework. The focus remains strictly on the personal journey of healing rather than broader esoteric systems. However, for its intended audience, it succeeds beautifully in illustrating the tangible power of connection. It serves as a gentle, accessible reminder that salvation often arrives in unexpected forms, requiring only an open heart to recognize the extraordinary within the ordinary bond between human and animal.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers navigating personal grief, health crises, or feelings of isolation will find profound comfort in this narrative of mutual salvation. It is ideal for those who believe in the spiritual dimension of companionship and seek evidence that vulnerability can lead to unexpected strength. Those interested in the metaphysical role of animals as protectors or soul mirrors will appreciate the detailed account of how Dakota transcended her past to become a lifeline. This book offers hope to anyone feeling adrift, demonstrating that an unbreakable bond can literally preserve life and transform despair into a testament of enduring love and resilience against all odds.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you've ever felt the profound comfort of an animal's presence or found solace in an extraordinary bond, this book is for you. It's an essential read for anyone who believes in the transformative power of companionship and the enduring spirit of recovery.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

While deeply moving for animal lovers and those in recovery, this title may disappoint readers seeking rigorous occult theory or complex philosophical discourse. It is not suited for skeptics who dismiss emotional narratives as mere sentimentality without substantive metaphysical framework. The focus remains strictly on the personal journey of healing rather than broader esoteric systems. However, for its intended audience, it succeeds beautifully in illustrating the tangible power of connection. It serves as a gentle, accessible reminder that salvation often arrives in unexpected forms, requiring only an open heart to recognize the extraordinary within the ordinary bond between human and animal.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, it delves much deeper. While centered on a dog, it explores themes of recovery from severe illness, mental fortitude, and the extraordinary protective instincts an animal can display, transcending typical pet ownership narratives.

While Dakota is a Golden Retriever, the book's primary focus is on the unique, life-saving bond formed, rather than breed-specific characteristics. It’s a testament to the universal capacity for love and loyalty found in many dogs.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Animal-Human Bond

Explores the profound, almost spiritual connection that can form between a person and their pet. It delves into how this relationship can offer deep emotional support, purpose, and even a sense of unconditional love, transforming individual lives.

Resilience Through Adversity

Chronicles the journey of overcoming significant personal challenges, both physical and emotional. The narrative highlights how courage, perseverance, and the support of a loyal companion can lead to recovery and a renewed appreciation for life.

Mutual Rescue & Healing

Examines how helping another living being can be a path to one's own healing. This story vividly illustrates that the act of rescuing or caring for a pet can provide a powerful sense of purpose and companionship, leading to a reciprocal process of recovery for both.

📜 Historical context

This narrative fits squarely within the long-standing tradition of animal memoirs, celebrating the profound impact pets have on human lives. It echoes classic tales where animals are not just companions but integral figures in personal healing and resilience, reminding readers of the deep, often unspoken connection between species that fosters recovery and offers unwavering support in times of crisis.

📚 Glossary

Rehabilitation
Interspecies Bond
Emotional Support Animal

📔 Questions to reflect on

What personal challenges have you faced where an unexpected source of comfort or strength emerged?
Reflect on a significant animal-human connection in your own life. How did it impact your well-being?
Consider the idea of mutual rescue. How might helping another being contribute to your own healing or sense of purpose?