| Reincarnated dog subject of Oshkosh alumna’s book By Kate Briquelet, Staff Writer for Advance Titan |
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Maxwell’s reincarnation into the same breed, a miniature schnauzer, moved her to publish her story. Austin
was introduced to the idea of reincarnation when she lost her mother and began reading books on grief and
loss, including those by well-known psychic medium James Van Praagh.
“I had always wanted to talk to a medium to see if they could bring through my loved ones,” Austin said. “I
missed my mother so much that I really wanted to talk to someone. A friend referred me to one that she
trusted. I began talking to this psychic medium and I built up a trusted relationship with her by the time my
dogs died.”
Austin’s two dogs Melanie and Maxwell died a few weeks apart from each other. Austin called her psychic after
Melanie died to see how the dog was doing “on the other side.” The psychic said Melanie was playing with her
favorite toy, a red wool glove, and Austin was convinced that the psychic was truthful; she had no way of
knowing prior about the glove.
About a year later, Austin’s psychic said that Maxwell was “ready to come back.” “I just assumed that the
universe would use the same breeder,” Austin said. “I asked her if she was expecting any puppies.”
Brenda Couey of Clearlake, Calif., who breeds miniature schnauzers, was expecting four dogs and gave
Austin the names of the mothers and the expected due dates. Austin relayed the information to her psychic,
who imparted which dog would be Maxwell.
“When he was less than a week old, I just knew which dog it was,” Austin said. “I took one of his old toys, a
stuffed lamb with his scent on it, and I put it in front of the dog’s nose and he crawled to it and cuddled up
next to it. I don’t now how to describe it any other way. It was really just the most profound experience.”
Clarissa and Bruce Everett of Edgewood, Wash., also went to Couey for their reincarnated miniature
schnauzer named Frida. Bruce said that Clarissa and her family are experienced in astrological and psychic
matters and that a vision her niece had informed them of their dog’s return. Out of six litters of puppies, one
stood out; she was bigger than the others, grumpy and standoffish–just like Frida.
“She lays the same, licks the same, everything is identical with this dog,” Bruce said. “This dog is the dog. I
just can’t explain how we know it. I mean most people would say, ‘yeah, right, reincarnation, pour another
drink, you’ll be fine,’ but we both know it’s our dog.” Bruce said he’s more skeptical than his wife but he had
a “gut feeling” that the reincarnation was real.
Many people believe that animals can be reincarnated but are afraid to talk about it, according to Austin. She
said her book creates a way for other people to speak openly about the subject. Publishers in India,
Singapore and Russia have expressed interest in “Heavenly Paws,” which surprised her.
Chicago and Seattle radio stations, among others nationwide, have featured her as a guest. She said that
she has been received “very respectfully and warmly” over the air. Brad Butler, a publicist with Promotion in
Motion, a book publicity company in Los Angeles, said many stories in Austin’s book are “quaint and funny.”
“Lynda’s message has got a lot of positive aspects,” Butler said. “She’s a fun woman that’s full of love and it’
s nice to hear those messages when there’s so much that can bring you down.” Austin graduated from
Oshkosh with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1978. After a career in business management for
several corporations, her latest occupation is writing. She said her writing career was accidental, but now she
realizes that she truly enjoys the pastime.
Aside from her reincarnation story, she is working on a series of children’s books. “Love on a Leash,” her first
book due out in May, is about a dog that returns from Heaven and discovers he has wings. Austin is also
working with someone in California, lining up products including dog jewelry, sweaters, coloring books and
greeting cards, which she hopes will be licensed, manufactured and marketed. She plans to move to California
this summer.
“All I can say is the experience of the dog coming back has been the most profound spiritual experience of
my life,” Austin said. “It’s been such a warmhearted, loving experience and I just look at that dog and it’s
just such a strong bond of love. It’s (reincarnation) out there for everybody to experience if they just open
themselves to it.
was introduced to the idea of reincarnation when she lost her mother and began reading books on grief and
loss, including those by well-known psychic medium James Van Praagh.
“I had always wanted to talk to a medium to see if they could bring through my loved ones,” Austin said. “I
missed my mother so much that I really wanted to talk to someone. A friend referred me to one that she
trusted. I began talking to this psychic medium and I built up a trusted relationship with her by the time my
dogs died.”
Austin’s two dogs Melanie and Maxwell died a few weeks apart from each other. Austin called her psychic after
Melanie died to see how the dog was doing “on the other side.” The psychic said Melanie was playing with her
favorite toy, a red wool glove, and Austin was convinced that the psychic was truthful; she had no way of
knowing prior about the glove.
About a year later, Austin’s psychic said that Maxwell was “ready to come back.” “I just assumed that the
universe would use the same breeder,” Austin said. “I asked her if she was expecting any puppies.”
Brenda Couey of Clearlake, Calif., who breeds miniature schnauzers, was expecting four dogs and gave
Austin the names of the mothers and the expected due dates. Austin relayed the information to her psychic,
who imparted which dog would be Maxwell.
“When he was less than a week old, I just knew which dog it was,” Austin said. “I took one of his old toys, a
stuffed lamb with his scent on it, and I put it in front of the dog’s nose and he crawled to it and cuddled up
next to it. I don’t now how to describe it any other way. It was really just the most profound experience.”
Clarissa and Bruce Everett of Edgewood, Wash., also went to Couey for their reincarnated miniature
schnauzer named Frida. Bruce said that Clarissa and her family are experienced in astrological and psychic
matters and that a vision her niece had informed them of their dog’s return. Out of six litters of puppies, one
stood out; she was bigger than the others, grumpy and standoffish–just like Frida.
“She lays the same, licks the same, everything is identical with this dog,” Bruce said. “This dog is the dog. I
just can’t explain how we know it. I mean most people would say, ‘yeah, right, reincarnation, pour another
drink, you’ll be fine,’ but we both know it’s our dog.” Bruce said he’s more skeptical than his wife but he had
a “gut feeling” that the reincarnation was real.
Many people believe that animals can be reincarnated but are afraid to talk about it, according to Austin. She
said her book creates a way for other people to speak openly about the subject. Publishers in India,
Singapore and Russia have expressed interest in “Heavenly Paws,” which surprised her.
Chicago and Seattle radio stations, among others nationwide, have featured her as a guest. She said that
she has been received “very respectfully and warmly” over the air. Brad Butler, a publicist with Promotion in
Motion, a book publicity company in Los Angeles, said many stories in Austin’s book are “quaint and funny.”
“Lynda’s message has got a lot of positive aspects,” Butler said. “She’s a fun woman that’s full of love and it’
s nice to hear those messages when there’s so much that can bring you down.” Austin graduated from
Oshkosh with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1978. After a career in business management for
several corporations, her latest occupation is writing. She said her writing career was accidental, but now she
realizes that she truly enjoys the pastime.
Aside from her reincarnation story, she is working on a series of children’s books. “Love on a Leash,” her first
book due out in May, is about a dog that returns from Heaven and discovers he has wings. Austin is also
working with someone in California, lining up products including dog jewelry, sweaters, coloring books and
greeting cards, which she hopes will be licensed, manufactured and marketed. She plans to move to California
this summer.
“All I can say is the experience of the dog coming back has been the most profound spiritual experience of
my life,” Austin said. “It’s been such a warmhearted, loving experience and I just look at that dog and it’s
just such a strong bond of love. It’s (reincarnation) out there for everybody to experience if they just open
themselves to it.
Losing man’s best friend can bring pet owners considerable grief. For
one woman, seeking guidance from a psychic medium was a unique
opportunity to heal. After one of Lynda Austin’s beloved dogs died, a
psychic she trusts conveyed that her miniature schnauzer Maxwell would
be reincarnated.
Austin, 55, an alumna of UW-Oshkosh, wrote Heavenly Paws: A
Beloved Dog is Reborn about the reincarnation experience and the
memories of her pets, who comforted her through the worst times. “I
was hit with a lot of sorrow and loss within a short time frame,” she
said. “My mother died, my husband of 18 years left me, my dogs died. It’
s just a lot to have happen within a three-year time span.”
After her divorce, Austin didn’t get back all of the photographs of her
dogs, and she decided to write about the memories of her pets and the
important role dogs play in people’s lives.
one woman, seeking guidance from a psychic medium was a unique
opportunity to heal. After one of Lynda Austin’s beloved dogs died, a
psychic she trusts conveyed that her miniature schnauzer Maxwell would
be reincarnated.
Austin, 55, an alumna of UW-Oshkosh, wrote Heavenly Paws: A
Beloved Dog is Reborn about the reincarnation experience and the
memories of her pets, who comforted her through the worst times. “I
was hit with a lot of sorrow and loss within a short time frame,” she
said. “My mother died, my husband of 18 years left me, my dogs died. It’
s just a lot to have happen within a three-year time span.”
After her divorce, Austin didn’t get back all of the photographs of her
dogs, and she decided to write about the memories of her pets and the
important role dogs play in people’s lives.
| Lynda Austin and her reincarnated dog |
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