Crazy Critter Lady Paperback – August 4, 2011

I enjoyed my visit to the world of the CRAZY CRITTER LADY, and other animal lovers will, too. In a personable style, Kelly Meister tells many captivating stories about the animals she encounters in her life. We learn about her house full of cats and the abandoned ducks she comes to know through daily visits to a nearby pond. Like me, a reader might feel surprised to care about the more humble animals Meister portrays. Who knew a mouse or a frog could have such individual personalities?Anyone who has ever been comforted by a pet in the home or by wild animals that grace an excursion will relate to Meister's deep gratitude for animals. Meister credits her interactions with creatures for helping her recover from the traumas of her earlier life. Readers will be cheered to read how Meister repays her gratitude by being a courageous advocate for all the "critters" she meets. If you care about animals, you will treasure this book.

Kelly Meister, spent years in therapy as a result of childhood sexual abuse. Her life, for many years, was spent in "darkness and chaos." Lesser people might have shattered to bits, never breaking free of the depression that ensued as a result of having endured such horrific experiences.The "saner" Kelly became, the less she chose to spend her time with "dysfunctional humans." She turned to animals instead.Kelly touched the lives of birds, frogs, mice, raccoon, her uncanny ability to sense what an animal was feeling had a Dr.Doolittle-esque quality.Kelly's life now is about healing. She is healing the wounds of the past by helping a vast array of animals either "heal" or helps them cross the Bridge with loving kindness, in many cases it is kindness that the ailing animal probably never had experienced before, but at least was able to experience in it's final hours.Kelly feels that the "critters" helped her to become "whole", helped her to heal the wounds of the past.Crazy Critter Lady is touching, in many instances, humorous, it is raw, honest, and throughout the entire book, it speaks the language of love. There are moments when you will rejoice, some where you will shed a tear, but in the end you will marvel at how through helping to save animals, with a dedication that is truly a passion, you will cheer for the woman who learned how to save HERSELF.Kelly learned how to save herself by the lessons the animals she has touched have taught her. She learned how to be patient, loving and trusting through the animals that she met along the way. In her mind, "she owes them BIG."There are many of us who can relate to wanting to return the gifts that animals have given to so many of us. If more people felt this way, the world would be that much better.In my opinion Kelly is hardly "crazy", those who can turn their backs on animals in need are the "crazy" ones, not Kelly.In this world we need more Kelly's and many of you who are reading this review ARE like Kelly. True animal lovers can relate when Kelly says when referring to the gifts the animals have given her, "I owe them. I owe them BIG. It's a debt that I'm happy to spend the rest of my days repaying. So I'll keep chatting with chipmunks, I'll shoo squirrels out of the road. I'll rescue flightless ducks from frozen ponds. I'll stop to help injured raccoon and I'll worry about things like rabies later. If that makes me crazy, then so be it."To that, I say, "YOU GO GIRL!!"

If there is any doubt about the veracity of the book title Crazy Critter Lady, it is quickly dispelled in the very first chapter. How else would you describe someone who stops along the road to pick up an injured wild raccoon? Literally, pick up; with nothing but a pair of gloves, a blanket, and a laundry basket. Things only get crazier as Meister's memoir progresses. Kelly is one of a rare breed of people who notice things that others do not; a limping duck, a dehydrated frog, a chipmunk in shock; a lonely dog. Truthfully, Kelly notices animals everywhere she goes, and if any of them exhibit even the most obscure hint that they might be in trouble, they could have no greater an ally. She not only sees them, but she...(read the rest of my review here: [...] )

I love stories by writers whose life has been saved by the love of an animal, or two or three. In Crazy Critter Lady, Kelly Meister shares her stories of the animals who share her life: cats, horses, ducks, even birds, chipmunks and helpless mice.Crazy Critter Lady is more than just a collection of cute and heartwarming animal stories. The author spent much of her life in darkness following childhood abuse, and struggled with depression. She found that the more time she spent around animals, and helping them, the more love and light entered her life.Meister's stories will make you smile, laugh, cry and nod your head in recognition. Whether it's a story about Winkie, Kelly's soul cat who died much too soon, or the story of a neighborhood dog who is virtually ignored by his owners and whose bright moment of each day is Kelly's visit, Kelly's interactions with all of the animals in her life will touch your heart.This book is ultimately a testament to the healing power of animals - the author believes that the "critters" helped heal the wounds of her past, and there is no doubt in my mind that this is so. Treat yourself to this wonderful book - you won't regret it.