Reincarnated dog subject of Oshkosh alumna's book
by Kate Briquelet, of the Advance Titan
Issue: Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Added: 3/29/2006 12:39:15 AM

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.
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."