Acclaimed YA novelist James W. Bennett's autobiographical narrative of his long-term struggle with a psychiatric disorder and the wonderful dogs that brought aid and comfort along the way. It's a dog book, as well as a mental health book. It contains useful information about mental illness, as well as some Christian content. Available in trade paperback or ebook.
Jan Proeber
5.0 out of 5 starsREAD THIS BOOK!
March 13, 2018
Format: Paperback
For anyone with a heart for animals or anyone who is familiar with the challenges of mental illness, this is an absolute MUST READ. James Bennett will take you on a heartwrenching, heartwarming journey through his struggles of living into wellness. His accounts of the four-legged friends that accompanied him are a reminder that our canine friends speak, without the ability of human language, to the deepest places of the heart. Without shame, the author's honesty and vulnerability help lay to rest the stigma surrounding mental illness. His story will give you courage to embrace your own journey and find comfort and healing. If you suffer from mental illness, love someone who suffers, or are a professional in the field of mental health, you won't want to miss out on all this book has to offer.
E. C. Graybill
5.0 out of 5 starsAn important book to read
March 13, 2018
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
"Powerful" is the first word I can think of to describe this book. "Unsettling" is the second word. The author shows you the world through the lens of chronic, lifetime, acute anxiety disorder and accompanying disorders, which he calls the Curse. The Curse is relentless. Bennett is a skilled writer who makes this very real. It is unsettling because it brings into question the layman's attitudes about judgment, guilt, and suffering, to name a few. Bennett pulls no punches in his descriptions of his mental suffering and hopelessness and the painful effects it has had on those around him. He details decades of different types of psychiatric treatment and the failures and limited successes found there. Bennett is a dog lover, and the love of the dogs in his life is the interwoven theme. It is not a mushy description of dog love--there were dark episodes along the way due to his sometimes being overwhelmed by life. This is an important book for any adult to read. Those who have lived with anxiety disorder in themselves or those close to them will be moved and changed by seeing the world through this author's eyes. I will never forget this book.
Carroll B.
5.0 out of 5 starsand special dogs have brought amazing comfort. A superb memoir
March 20, 2018
Format: Paperback
Reading what the author has experienced in his adult life brings sadness and yet a spirit of hope. He’s still here. Some might not be. Special people have shared his journey, and special dogs have brought amazing comfort. A superb memoir.
Jill R.
5.0 out of 5 starsI loved this book for so many reasons
March 22, 2018
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
I loved this book for so many reasons. It’s real and raw. It took me on a roller coaster of emotions. It’s heart wrenching and heart warming at the same time. Thank goodness for our four-legged friends. While the medical community doesn’t have all the answers for mental health issues, we can be grateful for our pets and significant others who give us the strength to endure a condition that is very misunderstood. This is likely a book that I will read more than once.
KmVictorian
VINE VOICE
5.0 out of 5 starsAn honest, heart-wrenching book
March 25, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
I've been familiar with James Bennett’s published works for several decades. He’s an award-winning and versatile writer of both fiction and non-fiction. For me, “Loopey to Beau” is his most exciting book yet. The book has two interwoven themes. One concerns Mr. Bennett’s ongoing battle with his own acute anxiety disorder. The second theme tells of the procession of dogs that have been part of the author’s life and which have helped him in times of stress. All the dogs were loved and appreciated, but not all these canine relationships ended happily. Some of the dogs “suffered too much and died too soon, or got lost and never found their way home,” Bennett tells us. But each dog in turn made its own contribution to the Bennett family’s life. With Beau, the latest dog owned by Mr. Bennett and his wife Judie, the love and respect between Beau and his human family reached a high level of devotion and understanding. And when Beau, after long years of service to his family had to be put down, the Bennetts’ grief was nearly inconsolable. Some relationships are irreplaceable, and this was one of them. There is much more of interest, excitement, and background information about mental health in this autobiographical book than I can share here. I found the book totally engrossing, and I wholeheartedly recommend it. (I’m now reading it for the second time!)
S.Smith
5.0 out of 5 starsThere is hope for all of us.
April 1, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
A painfully honest book about one mans lifelong struggle with mental health disorders and how his wife and dogs helped him through his worst days. This book provides insight and hope to the lengthy and ongoing process of treating mental illnesses. Loopey to Beau validates the significant life line that pets provide to us humans. A difficult book to put down. Very well written.
5.0 out of 5 starsCourage, Hope, Love
ByCynthiaon April 3, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
My review will be brief, because I want you to read it.
The book shares Courage. The author takes us behind closed doors and allows us to see his darkest struggles.
The book shares Hope. Anyone touched by mental illness, personally or by a loved one, will be encouraged to keep fighting.
The book shares Love. The pure, unconditional devotion that every dog lover understands is the sunshine through the clouds.
5.0 out of 5 starsand depicts the love and loyalty of the pets (and people) who love ...
ByBobbi Spitzon April 3, 2018
Format: Paperback
Bennett tells the story of his own mental illness and the dogs that were a part of his life in a masterful, captivating way. With only a few breaks (some to let my tear-blurred eyes clear), I kept on reading. This book gives insight into the lives of people who have mental illness, and depicts the love and loyalty of the pets (and people) who love them.
How difficult this honest story must have been for Mr. Bennett to write. He did it brilliantly. I hope everyone will read it.
Thomas E. Hobt
5.0 out of 5 starsI highly recommend this book for anyone who loves dogs
April 8, 2018
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves dogs, and especially if you also struggle with anxiety, OCD, or depression! It will tug at your heart strings and also show you how the love of a dog can help you through the toughest of times and you will definitely find true the words ‘mans best friend!’
Klkb
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat read for mental health professionals
April 11, 2018
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
This book is an open and honest autobiography. This memoir details the author's relentless battle with anxiety and depression and how his 4 legged friends helped stabilize him on this journey. This a great book for anyone impacted by mental health as well as mental health professionals. Highly recommend.
Roger Cushman
5.0 out of 5 starsAn unflinching true story, both harrowing and heartwarming
April 14, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
Dog lovers know that their furry friends are not mere "pets" but loyal companions on life's journey. When that journey took James W. Bennett down the dark corridors of acute mood disorders, his devoted wife Judith and their loving canine companions helped him find pathways to survival. Bennett, an acclaimed author of novels for young adults, has written this unflinching true story of a struggle extending more than four decades of his life. It is a compelling book, both harrowing and heartwarming, and is difficult to put aside.
Bennett calls his affliction the Curse, a foe that can be controlled somewhat by medication but never truly conquered. Throughout "Loopey to Beau" he gives a rich description of the dogs who provided a vital lifeline of comfort during many of his most dire days and sleepless nights. He credits Beau, the last of the family dogs, with saving his life during a particularly bleak period.
The book provides rare insight into the impact of mental illness on a family's life. It is a moving story about survival and the uplifting importance of never giving up. "Loopey to Beau" is a memorable reading experience which will stay in my thoughts for a long, long time.
.0 out of 5 starsA book about love, hope, and never giving up.
ByM. Brillon April 8, 2018
Format: Paperback
My first thought when reading this book was how brave the author is. His candor; his emotion, yet telling about the lack of it; his observations even in the throws of debilitating mental illness. And through it all we read the love of his four-legged friends--and of a family that stayed strong and loving even throughout the most devastating times. This is a clear-eyed account of someone who wasn't always that clear-eyed. As someone said earlier, the recounting is sad yet hopeful. A never-give-up story. It's a book that makes you want to hug those close to you--and Jim, his wife, and their dogs.
5.0 out of 5 starsNever Give Up
ByNAME_NOT_RETURNEDon May 4, 2018
Format: Paperback
This compelling book touches the heart on so many levels. How brave the author was to relive his decades of acute anxiety disorder and the journey of hope with his loyal dog companions, to share this true story.
From the moment I began reading I was totally engrossed and could not put the book down. Mr. Bennett walks us through his sleepless nights, daily struggles and describes the love and understanding of his faithful wife and their family dogs.The relationship shared brings hope and helps Bennett survive the darkest moments.
"Loopey to Beau" is a must read for anyone suffering anxiety disorder, their famlies and friends, and all Mental Health Professionals.
His important message - NEVER GIVE UP!
5.0 out of 5 starsI so appreciated the author's candor and heart-felt description of the worst of his days as well as the best of ...
ByJae Lyn Hepneron March 24, 2018
Format: Paperback
I'm not sure my review can do this book justice. It was hard to put down. It touched my heart in a big way. It is a poignant, well written story about a man and his pups. If any of you have ever suffered from anxiety, depression, panic attacks, this book will be an eye opener to the many degrees of such dehabilitation. I so appreciated the author's candor and heart-felt description of the worst of his days as well as the best of his days. And those sweet pups that he was blessed with were his lifeline. We take for granted sometimes how our pets can comfort us. But, for this author, they truly were his saving grace. Jim Bennett is still going strong, thanks to his pups and his amazingly strong wife. This book will bless you with comfort and hope. Please read!!
"In this compelling read, dogs play a major role in Bennett's times of desperation. The reader will certainly connect with the author as a dog lover; and as we question our own frailties in regard to our mental health, there is plenty to plumb from this work."
"From 'Loopey to Beau' is a journey through one man's long-term battle with mental illness, and the anchoring influence of the dogs in his life. It is a moving and well-told story, reminding us of the profound, life-saving role dogs can play in our lives."
