Arts & Entertainment

Bridgewater Author Pens New Children's Book About Pet Loss

Amy Jensen will be launching a Kickstarter for pre-orders on Friday for her book "Chuckie Says Goodbye."

The book, "Chuckie Says Goodbye" is appropriate for all families, regardless of beliefs about death.
The book, "Chuckie Says Goodbye" is appropriate for all families, regardless of beliefs about death. (Courtesy of Amy Jensen)

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Losing a beloved pet is heartbreaking and it can be hard to know how to approach the subject with children. Bridgewater author Amy Jensen wrote a new children's book to help parents open the conversation with children.

The book, "Chuckie Says Goodbye" is appropriate for all families, regardless of beliefs about death. It is based on Jensen's family's experience losing Chuckie's sister Neslee in 2018.

"Pets are such a big part of the family and many times families don't know how to approach the subject of death," said Jensen.

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Just as with her first two books, Jensen writes the book from Chuckie's perspective. The book helps the reader know they are not alone when going through moments of grief after pet loss. At the end of the story, there are tips for what families can do to honor the pet they have lost.

"I want the book to show how you can honor a pet or person you lost. How you can make something good out of the situation. Maybe donate to an animal shelter or draw a picture. How to make special memories not just heartache," said Jensen.

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The book, which is part of the Chuckie The Chocolate Lab book series, is ideal for children ages 2-8 years old.


Jensen will be launching a Kickstarter for pre-orders on Friday and with a certain pledge amount, the purchaser can get a copy of the book with their own pet included in it. The pre-order will run from Friday until Oct. 12 at kickstarter.com.

Jensen will also be a vendor at the Bridgewater Community Day at Bridgewater Commons on Sunday and at the Dunellen Harvest Fest on Oct. 10.

For more information on Jensen and her books visit chuckiethechocolatelabbooks.com or facebook.com/TeamChuckietheChocolateLab.

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