Loss and Grief
Dealing With Terminal Illness and Grief
Sometimes, after receiving a terminal diagnosis for a pet, the "waiting" time is the most painful time. Grief is a daily bittersweet experience. A couple of recent posts in the VetMed forum clearly stated this time of confusion and loss, with owners seeking solace and tips for coping from other forum members. This article explores this period when we try to celebrate our pet's life while saying goodbye.
Sometimes, after receiving a terminal diagnosis for a pet, the "waiting" time is the most painful time. Grief is a daily bittersweet experience. A couple of recent posts in the VetMed forum clearly stated this time of confusion and loss, with owners seeking solace and tips for coping from other forum members. This article explores this period when we try to celebrate our pet's life while saying goodbye.
Dealing with guilt - - did I do everything I could?
Guilt can be a powerful block in the healing process. Identifying feelings of guilt associated with grief are often the first steps in grief recovery. After reading the FAQ article "Dealing with guilt -- did I do everything I could?", a viewer posted her own experiences relating to this topic after losing her beloved Schnauzer. Read what she has to say in this article.
Guilt can be a powerful block in the healing process. Identifying feelings of guilt associated with grief are often the first steps in grief recovery. After reading the FAQ article "Dealing with guilt -- did I do everything I could?", a viewer posted her own experiences relating to this topic after losing her beloved Schnauzer. Read what she has to say in this article.
Dealing with guilt -- did I do everything I could?
Pets depend on us for food and shelter and cannot directly tell us how they feel, so when something happens to our pet (i.e. illness, accident, death), the feelings of "letting our pet down" often turn to feelings of guilt and anger or denial. What can be done to ease the guilt when we are feeling low? Read this FAQ for some tips on dealing with grief and guilt.
Pets depend on us for food and shelter and cannot directly tell us how they feel, so when something happens to our pet (i.e. illness, accident, death), the feelings of "letting our pet down" often turn to feelings of guilt and anger or denial. What can be done to ease the guilt when we are feeling low? Read this FAQ for some tips on dealing with grief and guilt.
Helping Children Deal with the Loss of a Pet
Dealing with the loss of a pet is never easy. When children are involved, special considerations must be made to help them understand what is going on and how to deal with pet loss and grief. This article will address planning for euthanasia, how to recognize signs of grief in children, and ways to start healing after loss.
Dealing with the loss of a pet is never easy. When children are involved, special considerations must be made to help them understand what is going on and how to deal with pet loss and grief. This article will address planning for euthanasia, how to recognize signs of grief in children, and ways to start healing after loss.
Pet Loss & Grief
Today, with pets living longer, healthier lives and enjoying such an integral position in the human family, grief over losing a pet is a serious concern. Thankfully, pet lovers, veterinary schools and counseling professionals now offer a wide variety of resources for those experiencing the pain of losing a dearly loved pet. This article highlights the stages of grief and some of the various resources available.
Today, with pets living longer, healthier lives and enjoying such an integral position in the human family, grief over losing a pet is a serious concern. Thankfully, pet lovers, veterinary schools and counseling professionals now offer a wide variety of resources for those experiencing the pain of losing a dearly loved pet. This article highlights the stages of grief and some of the various resources available.
Guest Book Review: How to ROAR: Pet Loss Grief Recovery by Jim Willis
Popular author and animal rights advocate Jim Willis reviews a new book on pet loss and grief called "How to ROAR: Pet Loss Grief Recovery" by author Robin Jean Brown.
Popular author and animal rights advocate Jim Willis reviews a new book on pet loss and grief called "How to ROAR: Pet Loss Grief Recovery" by author Robin Jean Brown.
Euthanasia - How Will I know When It Is "Time" To Put A Pet To Sleep?
Having to make the decision to end a pet's life is never easy. How to evaluate "quality of life", and make a decision that that won't be filled with regret and guilt.
Having to make the decision to end a pet's life is never easy. How to evaluate "quality of life", and make a decision that that won't be filled with regret and guilt.
Audiobook Review: Journey Through Pet Loss
Comprehensive review of the audiobook, Journey Through Pet Loss, by Deborah Antinori, MA, RDT, LPC, NBCCH.
Comprehensive review of the audiobook, Journey Through Pet Loss, by Deborah Antinori, MA, RDT, LPC, NBCCH.
"Difficult Decisions - Understanding Euthanasia"
From the Veterinary Medicine Guide. What happens when a pet is 'put to sleep' and how to assess the situation to make an informed decision.
From the Veterinary Medicine Guide. What happens when a pet is 'put to sleep' and how to assess the situation to make an informed decision.
Ten Tips on Coping with Pet Loss
Author Moira Anderson Allen, M.Ed. does an excellent job of covering the various emotions people feel after loss of a loved one and how to start dealing with the loss and start the healing process.
Author Moira Anderson Allen, M.Ed. does an excellent job of covering the various emotions people feel after loss of a loved one and how to start dealing with the loss and start the healing process.
Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
Non-profit organization dedicated to helping people experiencing loss and grief from the death of a pet. Extensive resource information at this site.
Non-profit organization dedicated to helping people experiencing loss and grief from the death of a pet. Extensive resource information at this site.
AVMA on Pet Loss
From the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) - The stages of grief, how to know when it is 'time' and how to remember your pet.
From the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) - The stages of grief, how to know when it is 'time' and how to remember your pet.
Common Grief Symptoms
How people express grief can vary greatly depending on the individual and on the circumstances surrounding the loss, but this article details some common grief expressions and symptoms.
How people express grief can vary greatly depending on the individual and on the circumstances surrounding the loss, but this article details some common grief expressions and symptoms.
Conquering Guilt Over Loss
Guilt is a common emotion when a pet dies - feeling that we "should have" or "could have" done something to either avoid the loss or at least not feel so emotionally bad about the loss. This article explains the complex relationship of guilt and pet loss and how to start healing.
Guilt is a common emotion when a pet dies - feeling that we "should have" or "could have" done something to either avoid the loss or at least not feel so emotionally bad about the loss. This article explains the complex relationship of guilt and pet loss and how to start healing.
Coping With Pet Loss
Stages of grief, telling children about the death of a pet, and euthanasia questions and concerns.
Stages of grief, telling children about the death of a pet, and euthanasia questions and concerns.
Cornell Pet Loss Support
Detailed information about euthanasia, a list of books to help children deal with loss, a phone and email hotline staffed by veterinary students, and more.
Detailed information about euthanasia, a list of books to help children deal with loss, a phone and email hotline staffed by veterinary students, and more.
Do Dogs Mourn?
Pet owners often wonder how other pets will handle the loss of one of their companions. This article talks about canine grief -- the signs to watch for and how to help comfort your canine friend.
Pet owners often wonder how other pets will handle the loss of one of their companions. This article talks about canine grief -- the signs to watch for and how to help comfort your canine friend.
Dog Heaven
All good dogs go to heaven - and yours can too. For a small donation, your dog's tribute or memorial will be placed on the site.
All good dogs go to heaven - and yours can too. For a small donation, your dog's tribute or memorial will be placed on the site.
Dog Loss - Poems
A collection of poems dealing with loss. Something for everyone.
A collection of poems dealing with loss. Something for everyone.
DogStar
DogStar is a virtual pet memorial. You can add your own tribute, or read other's tributes.
DogStar is a virtual pet memorial. You can add your own tribute, or read other's tributes.
Do Pets Go To Heaven?
This is a common question for children to ask. This article by Moira Anderson Allen, M.Ed. may give some ideas for discussion on this topic.
This is a common question for children to ask. This article by Moira Anderson Allen, M.Ed. may give some ideas for discussion on this topic.
"Euthanasia...What To Expect"
Comprehensive coverage of this difficult subject - from making the decision to grief management.
Comprehensive coverage of this difficult subject - from making the decision to grief management.
Factors That Can Complicate Grief
Situations and factors that can complicate grief and possibly make the grieving process longer more difficult to complete.
Situations and factors that can complicate grief and possibly make the grieving process longer more difficult to complete.
"Grief And Pet Loss"
Overview of the stages of grief, and how to start healing. Also discussed is pet grief (pets missing their companions).
Overview of the stages of grief, and how to start healing. Also discussed is pet grief (pets missing their companions).
Grief Counseling Resources & Hotlines
A nice resource listing of available pet loss support hotlines, from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
A nice resource listing of available pet loss support hotlines, from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
Grief Resources for Families & Veterinary Medicine
Grief and loss resources for veterinary teams to assist pet owners. From the web site: "the Mission of the Argus Institute is to prepare Veterinary teams to successfully meet the emotional needs of pet-owning families.
Grief and loss resources for veterinary teams to assist pet owners. From the web site: "the Mission of the Argus Institute is to prepare Veterinary teams to successfully meet the emotional needs of pet-owning families.
Journey Through Pet Loss
An audiobook from Deborah Antinori, a Registered Drama Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor with specialties in pet loss, drama therapy, hypnotherapy (advanced clinical hypnotherapist) and expressive therapies.
An audiobook from Deborah Antinori, a Registered Drama Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor with specialties in pet loss, drama therapy, hypnotherapy (advanced clinical hypnotherapist) and expressive therapies.
Personalized Pet Memorials
Digital Art Photo Studio specializes in unique mini poster 12"x18" size prints of personalized pet memorials that help to get through difficult times experienced with the loss of pets.
Digital Art Photo Studio specializes in unique mini poster 12"x18" size prints of personalized pet memorials that help to get through difficult times experienced with the loss of pets.
Pet Loss Hotline from Washinton State University
This grief hotline is staffed by veterinary students who have been specially trained in grief counseling by a licensed therapist. The purpose of this hotline is to provide support to those grieving as well to serve as an educational aid in training compassionate veterinarians.
This grief hotline is staffed by veterinary students who have been specially trained in grief counseling by a licensed therapist. The purpose of this hotline is to provide support to those grieving as well to serve as an educational aid in training compassionate veterinarians.
Pet Loss Products and Services
Many items here related to pet loss and grief - gifts for those in mourning, remembrance charms, books, CDs, cremation urns, caskets, headstones and more.
Many items here related to pet loss and grief - gifts for those in mourning, remembrance charms, books, CDs, cremation urns, caskets, headstones and more.
Losing A Beloved Companion
Touching tributes and poems shared by readers.
Touching tributes and poems shared by readers.
Pet Loss and Support
Iowa State University support hotline. Services include a toll free number and free support packages on how to deal with grief.
Iowa State University support hotline. Services include a toll free number and free support packages on how to deal with grief.
"WITH" Memorial Jewelry
Pet memorial jewelry created by an owner to overcome her grief after her devastating loss of her "Whisper", a diabetic Samoyed.
Pet memorial jewelry created by an owner to overcome her grief after her devastating loss of her "Whisper", a diabetic Samoyed.
Rainbow Bridge
Popular poem describing a place "just this side of Heaven" where pets go when they leave this earth.
Popular poem describing a place "just this side of Heaven" where pets go when they leave this earth.