34 OCTOBER 2022 By Mallory Gleich Those with pets know how important they are to a family, and how heartbreaking it can be when they pass away. Arcadia mom Claudia Teetsel and her family experienced that sorrow after the death of their pup, Coco. “Our family got Coco back in 2009 – our first family pet. In 2016, we were devastated when she was diagnosed with Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (an autoimmune disease in dogs where the body attacks its red blood cells),” Teetsel said. “She became ill on a Friday and was gone by Sunday.” Coco’s death was tough, especially since the family had never heard of IMHA before. Each of them grieved in their own way. It wasn’t until she received a hand-made gift from her son Jason that Teetsel uncovered another way to grieve: through writing. After Coco’s death, Teetsel knew what she wanted to write about. After the family got their current dog, Pearl, Jason painted a portrait of Pearl chasing Coco through a meadow of yellow wildflowers. “This meadow is a real place in Pinetop that we visited many times with Coco and then later with Pearl. Jason’s painting inspired BEA and HONEY: The Secret ,” Teetsel said. The story introduces a family who is heartbroken over the death of their family dog, Bea. After some time, the family adopts a new dog named Honey, who knows a secret: Bea has become an angel and is still near the family. Even though they can’t see her, Honey can, and the two become friends. “Profound grief over the loss of a pet is a feeling shared by many people. I hope my book will help to ease the heartache that they feel,” she said. Teetsel is originally from rural New Jersey – a graduate of Penn State. She worked in the healthcare industry for a decade before her first son was born, then became a stay-at-home mom. “When Jeff and I arrived 23 years ago, we chose Arcadia because of the trees and green grass that add charm to the area and the diverse house architecture. We still live in the same house, and it’s been a wonderful neighborhood to raise our children in,” she said. Teetsel said that she initially wrote the book to help ease her family’s grief. Although writing a book on this topic was difficult, it was also therapeutic. “I then discovered illustrator Judith Gosse and loved her skill at portraying animals. When she submitted her first sample illustrations, I knew I had found the illustrator for my book,” Teetsel said. “Judith’s watercolors brought my concepts to life.” Choosing the cover was a no-brainer: Teetsel used the painting that her son Jason had gifted her three years ago. “My family has been supportive throughout the entire creation and publishing journey. They are delighted with the book, especially due to the personal connection we have with the story,” she said. “I found the publishing adventure to be exciting and rewarding. I have learned a lot.” BEA and HONEY: The Secret can be found on Amazon or Bookbaby. A follow- up book will give readers more details about Bea and Honey’s secret shenanigans, with a tentative release in 2023. beaandhoney.com Arcadia mom channels grief through her first book Author Claudia Teetsel and Pearl, who is featured on the cover of Teetsel’s new book. PHOTO COURTESY OF CLAUDIA TEETSEL Religious Instruction • Strong Academics • Cutting Edge Technology • Service Learning Leadership Programs • PE and Interscholastic Sports • Instrumental and Vocal Music “Arts Attack” Program • School Nurse • Bus Transportation Available We love reading with our chapel buddies at CLS! 3901 East Indian School Road • 602-957-7010 • www.clsphx.org CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Christian Values. Quality Education. Preschool through Grade 8 Volunteer at the Midtown White Dove Thrift Shoppe at 2711 E. Indian School Rd. Phoenix Lov Bargain? Lov t Sho? Contact JoEllen Feltham at (602) 476-9032 jfeltham@hov.org