Could the lessons from a rescue dog transform how we handle grief and gratitude?

In this episode, I’m joined by the Author, Speaker, and Consultant Leslie Yerkes. Leslie is a best-selling business book author with six books translated into dozens of languages and worldwide sales. In recent years her journey of rescuing and caring for dogs led her to write children’s books that address themes of love, commitment, and grief.

Throughout this episode, Leslie recounts her story of rescuing a South African Mastiff, how the dog transformed her life, and the grief she faced when she lost both her dog and her mother in a short span of time. She speaks about how these experiences inspired her to write books aimed at helping children and families understand loss, especially the loss of pets. Leslie advocates for using stories to teach children about grief, love, and the importance of keeping promises. Her message highlights the power of animals as healers and companions, the importance of staying open to love even in the face of loss, and the role of grief as a natural and essential part of life.

Tune in and listen to episode 280 of Grief and Happiness, and discover Leslie Yerkes’ deeply personal experiences with grief, love, and healing through her Relationships with animals. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• From business to children’s books (1:10)
• A dog rescue that changed everything (2:37)
• Finding peace after loss (7:36)
• Navigating grief through writing (12:04)
• Lessons from animals on grief and love (15:02)
• Revisit the love that the sorrow reflects (19:01)
• Advocating for rescue (23:27)

Connect with Leslie Yerkes:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Get Leslie’s books!

Let’s Connect:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• The Grief and Happiness Alliance
• Book: Emily Thiroux Threatt – Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief

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Emily Thiroux Threatt Podcast Host, Facilitator, Author

Having gone through the experience of the deaths of so many loved ones, I have learned to face life with love, optimism, and joy.

I have kept journals and written to express myself most of my life which led me to a career of teaching writing and writing books. I naturally turned to writing to help deal with my grief, then I discovered I could use writing to help friends deal with grief, too.

In contemplating how I could best help the grieving people I was working with, my Ignite moment came when realized the importance of helping people understand the importance of happiness and how they could grieve and be happy at the same time.

To share my message, I host the Grief and Happiness podcast, I wrote the book Loving and Living Your Way Though Grief, I facilitate weekly meetings of the Grief and Happiness Alliance, I founded the Grief and Happiness nonprofit foundation, I publish a weekly newsletter and blog, and my new book, The Grief and Happiness Handbook is coming out soon.