I Loved Them First

"These poems celebrate a sacred connection. They are proof that the unconditional love of animals can sustain the human heart through all life's seasons." - Lorraine Ash Life Touches Life: A Mother's Story of Stillbirth and Healing

"The emotional themes are poignant and powerful throughout this heart-warming anthology. Karen gives voice to the devotional ties between people and their companion pets. I enjoyed reading and savoring every single poem." -Karen Rippstein, Creative Writing Teacher, Hawthorne, NY