Pet Loss: 5 Ways to Prevent it from Happening to You

These days there are too many ways to lose our pets. We have to worry about dog snatchers, hit-and-run drivers, another neighborhood dog, animal control, or the accidental swallowing of household items, like a needle. And while no one likes to think that we could ever lose our pets, there are a handful of things we can do to help prevent some of these from happening.

Take care of your pets

By taking proper care of your pet you lesson the risk that anyone will have cause to take your pet from you. This means properly feeding, watering and housing your pets. Do not have 10 dogs living in one dog house. Make sure their living area is clean and free of feces and filth. If you have too many pets to care for, cannot afford them, or don’t want them, then do them and yourself a favor and give them up for adoption. Do not be the next person we watch on Animal Planet being raided by the animal control officer.

Train your pet

Training your pet to come when called on a reliable basis is a requirement for keeping your pets out of trouble. This does not replace a leash law. If you are going to walk your dog on busy streets, then use a leash. Do not think that you dog could not ever disobey you. The desire to chase a rabbit might easily outweigh the desire to come to you. This training will also help to prevent any unwanted problems with other people. In this day of “suing happiness”, why risk fines or worse because your dog jumped on someone.

Supervise your pets

No matter how well trained your pet is, when they are unsupervised they can and will get into things. They are curious natural explorers. They will find twig, sticks and anything that resembles one to chew on. If you left your favorite tools outside, these become a risk to your pet. Remember to look at things around your yard from a pet’s perspective. They are low to the ground, sniff for bugs, chew on rocks and dig in the dirt. When they do this, they are looking for stuff to keep themselves occupied with. Make sure what they find is not a hazard to them.

Pet Proof your house

This goes hand in hand with supervising your pets, but is quite commonly missed or done incorrectly We always assume that since the dog never jumps on the counter when we are home that they will never do it when we are not. Well, you’re wrong. If you have a dog that is large enough to reach stuff, then move that stuff, or risk losing it to the unsupervised curious dog. Pet proofing means eliminate all potential threats to your pet. Take away anything they can chew or swallow, remove things they can knock over or break, and cover anything that has sharp edges. Take the same precautions with your pets as you would a newborn baby.

Get pet insurance coverage

Many better insurance companies, and online companies like VPI Pet Insurance, offer direct pet insurance to you. These insurance carriers will cover your pet for a host of issues ranging from having your pet spayed or neutered to cancer treatments or surgeries. There is no way to know ahead of time if your pet will develop some medical issue that could cost you thousands of dollars.

Because your pets can be lost in so many manners, it is absolutely crucial that you take what steps you can to protect your pets. You are not trying to protect just from harm, but from other people, other animals and the ever rising costs of pet care. You want the best for your pet because they are a member of the family. Do the best you can for your loved ones, including your pets, and they should be with you for many years to come.

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For people who love and keep pets, one of the most traumatic moments they will ever experience is bidding farewell to their furry of feathered best friend. Most pet people imagine that they could not feel any worse than they do during this terrible experience. Unfortunately, often we can, and for the most ironic of reasons.

At a time when we are at our lowest and sorely in need of comforting from a friend or relative, instead, too frequently we find callousness or indifference. Sometimes those we love come up short in the compassion department and unwittingly say cruel and hurtful things. Commonly, we hear things like “get over it already, it was just a cat”, or “what is your problem, just go buy another dog”. Friends don’t mean to be cruel. Some simply do not understand the depth of our pain or cannot relate to how we are feeling.

I want to caution you not to over-react to their lack of understanding. Don’t buy into the philosophy that when you are down and out, you will learn who your true friends are by the way they act toward you. This may be true when you lose your job or when you become divorced, because friendships are often based on social considerations. If the make-up of your family changes, for instance (i.e. your wife leaves with the children, etc.), your neighbors may not find you as socially attractive as before. If you lose your job, and coincidentally your income, you may not be able to afford membership at the local golf club and shallow friends may shun you because you have become a potential burden to them.

Losing a pet does not usually change your social status, however. It does not make you an unattractive neighbor or economically-challenged golf partner. Consequently, if your friends are not there for you when you need their support, there probably are other factors at play that have nothing to do with your friendship.

Friends undoubtedly feel your pain very, very deeply. They perceive that you are very low and they want to help, but sometimes even your closest friends do not know what to do for you. They are not sure how to react to your grief. They do not know how to approach the topic or are afraid of saying the wrong thing.

Their first response is usually an attempt to try to cheer you up, not realizing that this is the last thing you need or want. That failing, they feel inadequate and unable to help. Perhaps they are ashamed that they initially came across as flippant when they did not mean to. Now, certain that they have offended you, they try to avoid you, or at least avoid the topic. The effect is that they appear to be indifferent and unfeeling in your hour of need.

This makes them no less your friend than they were before your loss. They still love you and care about you. They simply are not equipped emotionally to help. We perceive this as a failure on their part, and indeed, it is; but it is a failure to know how to help, not a failure as a friend.

If you value your friendship, your reaction to this perceived failure should be one of grace. The relationship may hang on your ability to be understanding. Undoubtedly, it is unfair to you in your hour of need to be required to exercise wisdom and compassion for someone who you think is letting you down. But if you value that relationship, it is worth the effort. Don’t react harshly. Don’t react impulsively. Put your emotions on hold until such time that you can make a measured response.

I have found that by saying something like: “I know that what I am going through is difficult for you to understand. I know you want to help me, but there is really nothing you can do right now. I need to go through the pain and I need to grieve. If you would just give me some time and be patient, eventually my pain will be manageable and I will start being my old self again”; friends will give you space and understand.

Then, the ball is in your court. Don’t let what you told them be words only. You need to follow through on your promise. Grieve as long as you must, but start to focus on returning to normal. Time will assist you in that goal, but real healing comes from within.

Most of us play the “what if” game and wind up blaming ourselves for one thing or another regarding the passing of our pets. Don’t do that. No matter what the circumstances, don’t blame yourself for what happened. Focus on the love and devotion you had for your best friend and concentrate on the good times. Eventually, you will wake up one morning and realize your life is returning to normal.

When you do, you will see that friends and family are still there for you. Forgive their inability to relate to what you were going through. It doesn’t mean they didn’t care. It doesn’t mean they didn’t love you. In fact, in most cases you will find that it was because they cared, because they loved you, that they kept their distance in respect for your grief.

Grieving is one of the few times in our lives when we are allowed to be selfish and to over-indulge. You take whatever time you need in this very private matter. No one should tell you how long to mourn. Set those who care about you at ease and let them know you need time to grieve and be alone. But when you are finished, return to normal for them. The pain will still be there, but you will have framed it in context with the rest of your life and other relationships will have remained intact.

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Dealing With Pet Loss – By a 17 Year Old

Losing a pet is like losing a family member; it is very hard to deal with especially if they have been a part of your life for a long time. There are no real set ways to deal with this loss. Losing your pet it is heart wrenching, sad, depressing and deeply hurtful. It takes a long time to mourn. Everyone needs to find their own way to cope with these feelings.

As a child losing a pet is the hardest thing that they can go through other than losing a close family member or friend. Most have been growing up with their pet and have close bonds. They are true companions, and best friends. They have shared a lot of fun together and made great memories.

I am a 17-year-old boy and I recently lost my dog Tucker who was 20 years old. He had been around my whole life and the thought that he might someday die never really crossed my mind. We shared so many great times together, swimming in the pool, going for rides, playing with his toys and cuddling. He was also my sounding board, he listened but never judged me.

He had been sick for a few months because of the complications of old age. But still doing well enough. He was a fighter and wasn’t ready to leave us. However, one day he became very sick and he couldn’t eat. That went into two days; he looked so sad and sick. We had to put him down it was one of the hardest things I could bare. I stayed in the room with him and so did my brother and father. Our mother was very close to Tucker and she could not stand to be there. All our hearts were breaking.

The way I dealt with the pain was I took a long drive and reflected on the good times that I had with him. After the drive I came home and went up to my room and stared at the ceiling, I just wanted t to be alone and think. A lot of things changed after his passing, it just wasn’t the same, and it never will be.

With the support of my friends and family they helped me to realize that he is in a better place and I will see him when it is my time. Just the other day I thought I saw him lying on my mother’s bed and I went in to pat him. This is going to be a long hard journey, but each day it gets a little easier. And I will always have our memories.

My suggestion for people to help deal with the loss of their pet would be to listen to calming music and reflect on the good times that they had with their pet and think of special moments you shared together. Another way could be to get a new pet. Some people feel that they need to fill the void left and it gives them something else to start loving and take their mind off of their beloved pet. For me that was not an option. Another good way is to find a close friend or a relative that you have known for a while and just talk to them because they will be there to comfort you. And they can share in your stories and memories. Creating a memorial is another way to help remember your pet.

Written by: Nick Dawkins
http://www.mypet-memorial.net

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Pet Loss: Bereavement, Remembering, And Letting Go

“When I was a teenager, my dog Dora passed away after a venomous snake bit her. I could not believe it; one moment we were all asleep, and the next Dora was barking her lungs out and pawing at the ground, and the third moment she was dead. We could not bear to move her lifeless body out, but it had to be done. My dad buried her at our farm during the early morning hours. I have had many dogs after that, but none of them were quite as special as that one dog – I miss her even today.” – Helena Evans.

The bond between humans and their pets is a special one. It cannot be explained, it has to be felt to be understood. Animals offer us a kind of companionship that we cannot get from other human beings: continuous camaraderie, silent support, unstinting devotion and complete control. Little wonder then that people love their pets and consider them to be members of the family. Many pet owners celebrate their pet’s birthdays, anniversaries
and even carry their pictures in their wallet.

Love for our pets automatically turns into grief when they die. Like fellow humans, pets also leave a void in the lives of their owners. But, while it is natural to mourn the loss of a human, some may consider it strange if you mourn your animal companion. You may have had a routine with your pet – feeding him, taking him for walks, talking to him, fondling him or funny quirks and tricks. Whatever you did, your pet was always waiting at home for you, willing to accept you unconditionally and responding excitedly every time you went to him. When he suddenly disappears from the scene, it is natural for you to feel abandoned and a little lost – at least for a while.

People deal with grief in different ways. Ideally, you have to acknowledge and deal with your grief before you can move on. The grieving process is individual to every person; it may last for a few days in some cases, in others it may last months or even years.

Here are certain tips to help you deal with your loss:

1) Acknowledge your loss; accept it as a loss and do not try to shrug it off. Even if it’s an animal you have lost, remember that it was an important relationship.

2) Give yourself time to grieve and if any one tells you that ‘it’s just a dog’ or ‘after all, it’s only a cat’ – tell them to find the deepest river and jump in it.

3) You may experience feelings of loss, pain or guilt. Share these feelings with people who can empathize.

4) Allow yourself some time to get over your grief.

Euthanasia and grief:
Grief often becomes laced with guilt and remorse if death occurred due to euthanasia. You know all the reasons, but you may still feel bitter pangs eating away at you. To help yourself get over such feelings, join a pet loss support group, or better yet, prepare a memorial for your pet. Writing down your feelings in a diary also helps.

Seniors and grief:
If you are a senior citizen living alone with your pet or dependent on him for anything, the loss is bound to hit you even harder. Seniors must try to handle their loss by interacting with other family members, joining a support group or even volunteering for social service.

Children and grief:
The loss of a beloved pet affects everyone in the family. It may be your child’s first brush with death. If so, your child may experience natural feelings of guilt, anger, depression and fear. Do not try to protect your child by lying to him. Expressing your own sadness and reassuring the child will help him handle his grief in a positive manner.

Other pets and grief:
The loss of a pet may even cause your other pets to show signs and symptoms of grief. They may refuse to eat or drink or may become lethargic and dull. Or, they may just be affected by your emotional state and distress. Whatever the reasons, treat your other pets with tender loving care and patience.

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With a tremendous love for animals, Colleen Mihelich has an understanding of the deep grief associated with their death, something she remembered when she lost her quarter horse named Pepper when she was 16 years old. Many of us have been touched by the loss of a beloved pet, and since Colleen understands the heartache of that loss, she has devoted her career to a company and website called Peternity.com. It is dedicated to helping others honor the loss of their pets through a pet memorial.

Although Pepper was gone, Mihelich knew that the love she felt for her horse would never go away. That’s why she decided that people needed a way to help keep their memories alive and created an online community, a pet memorial website. Here, grieving pet owners can choose handcrafted pet memorial products including custom pet grave markers, memorial pet urns, garden statue pet memorial stones, keepsake boxes, pet portrait and art and tribute paintings, glass art, burial boxes and more.

We’ve all found little nuggets of wisdom or inspirational stories that have helped us move on,” said Mihelich, founder of Peternity. Many of us found little nuggets of wisdom or inspirational stories along the way that have helped us move on,” said Mihelich, founder of Peternity. “The loss of a pet is a very difficult thing. That’s why grieving the loss is an important step towards healing; just about as important to many people as the loss of a human being.”

Continually on the lookout for unique, handcrafted pieces of art to help her customers express their love, joy and memories, Mihelich believes that people wish to honor their cherished friends with elegance, dignity and honor, and that their pets deserve the very best. That’s why her company searches for the finest craftsmanship and quality.

Her company also provides grieving support, and people can find links to pet loss information and pet loss counseling websites to help them say goodbye to their beloved pet. It’s particularly helpful for parents assisting children with a pet loss. Guests on the website can create virtual pet memorials via a living pet memorial to share loving memories and favorite stories about their pets with family and friends, including a written tribute, and dialog and photographs that honor their pet’s memory.

Bereavement counselor Marty Tousley says, “One of the biggest myths about the grief that accompanies pet loss is that it’s somehow different than grieving the loss of a human. When love is lost it does not matter if it’s a human or an animal, because we still feel grief.”

The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) 2007-2008 National Pet Owners survey states that 63 percent of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 71.1 million homes, up from 56 percent in 1988. APPMA estimated the spending of .8 billion on pets in 2007 in the United States.

“It would be impossible to say how much we appreciate all that Peternity did in helping us with our stone for Buddy. It is just beautiful and we couldn’t possibly be happier with how it turned out,” said Alan and Stephanie Thomas.

The Bookends—Dogs Who Inspired Good Grief: Finding Peace After Pet Loss

The Bookends

I had raced to the Petco when I learned from someone at our local humane society that they were showing a three-year-old male West Highland white terrier for adoption there. Just as I approached this beautiful dog, my heart sank. There was another woman signing his adoption papers. Though disappointedâ??because Iâ??d looked for such a dog for two yearsâ??I would nevertheless have been happy for his getting a good homeâ?¦if only that were what was happening here.

His intake form read â??Reasons animal is being relinquished: family allergic, and dog doesnâ??t do well alone for long periods.â? I almost lost it as this adoptive woman casually said in my presence, â??Well, weâ??re all allergic, too, but weâ??ll see how it goes.â? She followed this up with, â??We all work all day, but heâ??ll be all right, wonâ??t he?â? And last, when I noted he was due for a haircut, she wrinkled her nose and said, â??Oh you donâ??t have to do that, do you?â?

This woman obviously had no clue what she was getting into with adopting a terrier whoâ??d already had a minimum of two previous homes. And what was worse, sheâ??d raised every possible red flag for the adoption agency and still they let the transaction go through!

Incensed on his behalf, I gave the woman my business card. I told her I already had one Westie, I run a home-based business and thus heâ??d never be alone for long, and dogs are elevated to god-like status in my house. Pushy broad that I am, despite my Minnesota Nice upbringing, I flat-out said, â??Whenâ?¦and ifâ?¦this doesnâ??t work out, call me.â?

That was on a Sunday in 1996. By the following Thursday, Ludwig was welcomed into his forever home with my menagerie of critters and me.

He was adored, pampered, and cherished every day until his last, when he died of prostate cancer the night before Thanksgiving 2005. This beautiful boy had survived the usually deadly virus leptospirosis two years earlier and went on to be the ring bearer in my wedding in 2004.

When he died, my husband and I knew we wanted to memorialize him somehow yet not be totally centered on ourselves. We decided to hold an All-Pets Memorial service, wherein people could bring photos of their own beloved, long-lost animal family members. An astounding thirty human beings attended, crowded into our living room. Tears, tales, and terrier-shaped treats were shared. We learned about what nearly 100 honored pets had brought into the lives of our friends, and all hearts were healed a bit that day.

Someone there came up to me and said, â??Sid, you should write a book about memorializing pets.â? That planted the seed that took several years to germinate and finally fully bloom. In August 2009, I published Good Grief: Finding Peace After Pet Loss. In it, I provide both personal and professional insights into the animal loverâ??s unique grieving process.

Just two days after my husband and I sent out prayers to Ludwig and asked him to paw-pick especially for us the next doggie we were supposed to share our lives with, my husband found Mortimerâ??s listing on Petfinder. (We saved him from the hideous temporary name Sir Chuckyâ??I kept seeing that demon doll from the horror movie Childâ??s Playâ??and named him after Cary Grantâ??s character in Arsenic and Old Lace, Mortimer Brewster, who was so glad to find out that he was â??adoptedâ? and therefore wouldnâ??t inherit the familyâ??s insanity.)

We drove to North Dakota to spring him from the James River Humane Society where heâ??d been deposited as a stray. The ad in Petfinder said he was three. A visit to our vet, where we learned he had advanced degenerative arthritis, got the response, â??Well, I donâ??t think heâ??s quite ten.â?

I was heartbroken. How could Ludwig have blown it so? I felt Iâ??d lost seven years with my darling boy in a few seconds! Iâ??ve found that sometimes we have to thank the Universe/(Puppy) Powers that be for keeping us in the dark and not giving us exactly what we wish for. They give us what we need.

In all honesty, knowing Mortimerâ??s advanced age would have deterred us from adopting him just then, as I couldnâ??t bear the thought of losing another senior so soon after Ludwigâ??s passing. But if we hadnâ??t been blissfully unaware, we wouldnâ??t have welcomed into our lives this phenomenally wonderful dog. He soon had two younger siblings to keep him young at heart, too.

By the time I started writing the book, I had added to my family those three Westies (yes, Iâ??m brand loyal, but theyâ??re always rescues), namely Mortimer, Blanche and Keely. They blended in beautifully with fellow rescues Giles and Xander (my cats), and Atticus and Scout (my finches).

My bond with all of these animals led me to pursue ordination as an animal chaplain, to further help me reach out in a meaningful way to others who are dealing with the pain of pet loss. Mortimer taught me to live in the moment as much as possible and to cherish every moment with our beloved companions. We made a concerted effort to ensure his last years were splendid, too. The experience tested my convictions in the book and showed me what Iâ??d learned in researching and writing it really did work to help my heart heal after my much-loved Mortimer passed away rather suddenly just after Iâ??d finished the book and turned over its pages to the designer for layout. His story became the bookâ??s poignant epilogue. I have a peaceful heart knowing he and Ludwig both are properly immortalized and thanked for their invaluable roles in this life-changing venture.

I can see now the reason Ludwig found me this superb seniorâ??so his passing would perfectly timed for me to have my two precious dogs as my â??bookends.â?

Sid Korpi
Author Good Grief: Finding Peace After Pet Loss
<www.goodgriefpetloss.com>

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Essential Reality Check No. 1 â?? The Type of Pet for kids

The type of pet you can take into your household will depend on a whole host of things such as follows: How much will the pet costs be – not just to buy – but to care for on a daily basis? The ages of your kids – a two year old child will probably not be able to handle a pet gently and certainly wonâ??t be able to care for the petâ?¦.. What size of pet does your child want? – What space will be needed? A hamster does not take up much space but guinea pigs, ferrets and rats need much larger cages. How much time do your kids and you as a family have to give to the pet? Will your family be safe with the pet?

Will the pet be safe with your family? If you have a larger pet such as a dog, cat, or goat what effects will it have on your family, friends and neighbours? How will your pet be cared for during your holidays. Will your family be able to cope with the eventual death of a pet? Some pets will sleep most of the day and be awake at night. Hamsters can be very noisy at night! If your child wants a dog you will need to look into the breed, size and exercise needs of the dog. Do you already have another pet, what effect will it have on that pet. For instance will your dog be ok with a cat or rabbit or bird? .

Essential Reality Check No. 2 â?? True Costs of Pets for Kids

Some pets are very cheap to buy for instance hamsters, guinea pigs, goldfish. gerbils, fancy rats, fancy mice and rabbits and even ferrets. You will still need to consider: The cage set up ( this can be very expensive when looking at the cage sizes that most pets need) in fact they need the largest cage you can manage Food costs per week Bedding Vets bills if your pets become ill. e.g. Ferrets need a yearly injection against canine distemper. Holiday care – you will need to pay for this of course if you cannot rely on friends and family.

Bigger pets such as goats, and dogs and pedigree cats are far more expensive to buy initially, some costing hundreds of pounds. You will need to consider: Bedding and a cage (if buying one for your dog or cat) Leads and collars for dogs. Food bills Vets bills (dogs should have yearly check ups with a vets) Toys Holiday care (kennels can be very expensive) Flea treatment Ongoing veterinary costs if your pets becomes chronically ill.

Essential Reality Check No. 3 â?? Ages of your Kids

As the parent or carer you will need to decide if your child is old enough to handle and care for a pet. How often have parents heard the cry â??oh but we promise weâ??ll take it for walks everydayâ? Or â??weâ??ll clean it out mum, we promiseâ?. How will you feel in a years time when you find yourself caring for the pets because the kids are busy with friends or away on a school trip or inundated with homework or just plain bored with the poor thing You will need to decide on a pet that is suitable for the age of your kids. For instance in most cases it would not be wise to buy a hamster for a two year old child who is still adapting to the world around them and may not know or be able to handle the hamster gently.

Do you want to give your kids some responsibility in caring for an animal. Some kids are very responsible and will be able to manage this. Other kids, well the sight of a baby animal is just too appealing, after all who can resist a cute puppy or kitten or baby hamster? At first you may need to help your kids, as caring for a pet is a very responsible job. As a parent or carer you will always need to oversee a petâ??s care.

,Essential Reality Check No. 4 â?? The Space Required

Even small pets for kids such as guinea pigs, fancy rats and ferrets need a lot of cage space for a happy life. They will need the biggest cages you can find space for. These pets also need space to exercise out of the cage. Cats take up very little space, as do small breeds of dogs. Dogs will need a decent sized garden as well as walks to keep them well exercised.

Essential Reality Check No. 5 â?? Time for your Pets

Do you and the family have time for a pet. For smaller pets for kids you will need to have them out of the cage and being handled daily for at least 2 hours a day. Do you have time to clean out your pet at least once or twice a week, or even daily? Some pets will certainly need the toilet corner of their cage cleaned more often to avoid a foul smelling cage and pet. Water bottles and food bowls will need cleaning and refilling every day.

Will you be able to walk your dog at least once a day? – dependent on the breed some need more! Are you willing to look after your pets for the many years some can live? (From 18 months to 2 years for a mouse up to 15 years for a dog) If you are out at work all day and the kids are at school all day your pets will need and will demand attention when you return home

Essential Reality Check No. 6 â?? Your Pet and Family Safety

You will always need to ensure your kids safety when they are spending time with any pets for kids. Even little pets can bite and leave a wound. Dogs should not be left unattended with your kids as they are unpredictable. Even a faithful dog will bite and even attack a child if they are in pain or afraid. It happens rarely – but it does happen. You will also need to ensure your pets safety: Is your child able to handle a pet safely without hurting it. Is your pet safe with any other pets in the home? – if you have young children and a dog â?¦. you will need to make sure the dog cannot escape because a door is accidentally left open.

If you have a dog you need to ensure visitors safety as you can be sued if your dog bites someone on your property (or even off your property) Make sure that when pets are having free time out of cages that: Other pets cannot hurt them They cannot chew electrical leads They cannot fall into toilets or baths of water. They cannot escape through gaps in walls or floors They cannot get outside without supervision

Essential Reality Check No. 7 â?? Effects on Family and Neighbours

The whole family needs to be in agreement if you are getting pets for kids. Pets can be noisy and messy having an effect on family living. What effect will a pet such as a dog have on Granny who suffers with an allergy – will that mean she cannot come to visit anymore? If you get a dog will it bark and howl when you leave them for any length of time and will this annoy your neighbours. Will the dog bark when your neighbours are in their own garden. How will your neighbours take to having your pet cat mess in their garden? You will need to keep your yard free of dog mess to ensure it does not smell -particularly in summer months.

Essential Reality Check No. 8 â?? Holidays and Care for Pets

If you have pets for kids what will happen to them during your holiday times. Do you have family or friends who can care for your pets while you are away. If not you will have to pay for your pets care. This will be expensive for dogs, cats and larger animals. Even for little pets, holiday care can be expensive.

Essential Reality Check No. 9 â?? Loss of a Pet and Grief

Some children are really sensitive and will be distraught when their beloved pet eventually passes away, or is lost in some way. This is especially distressing if the pet has died as a result of an accident or illness. How will you manage this? The kids will need to grieve, grieving is a healthy part of a loss reaction. We can suffer losses every day in a small way such as not getting something we want, this causes a loss reaction and part of the healing for this is grief. If your child or other family member struggles with the grieving then look at the following and see if it applies. The grieving process has seven stepping stones through which people move. Your family member may not go through them in order or spend long on any one.

The stepping stones are: Shock, Denial, Guilt, ,Anger, Depression Bargaining, Acceptance Your child may want another pet this is called bargaining and is one of the stepping stones through the grief process. If your child cannot have another pet, break down the hidden losses that the death of their pet has caused. Could there be a loss of your childâ??s self worth or self esteem. Have they lost their only companion. Has your child lost the only one who listened to them. By chatting try to find out how your child is feeling and help them to work out their losses and then work through to acceptance by doing some healthy bargaining.

Would your child be able to regain their sense of worth or self esteem another way? Perhaps helping out with a friends pet for instance. For some children it may be helpful to have a burial service, so they can say goodbye properly. (My son kept some hair from his beloved dog) Our kids have managed the deaths of their pets really well and have gone on to have other pets, for other kids though it has more of an effect so you will need to decide when or if to replace your childâ??s pet.

Essential Reality Check No. 10 â?? Pets for Kids are GOOD FUN!!!

Pets for kids are for the most part a great addition to the family.. They are often good company for your kids especially if the kids are lonely. Kids can learn a lot from caring for pets and by having pets even when they are lost naturally. Dogs can encourage the family out to get exercise as they walk the dog. All our kids love their pets and they are an important part of the family. So whatever pet you decide upon have fun and enjoy

Our relationship with companion animals

The relationship between people and animals has changed in more recent times. “Pets” have become “companion animals”, describing a more mutual relationship. We derive many benefits beyond companionship. Caring for them helps maintain our own health, they play a key role in our daily routines and leisure activities, they act as social lubricants, they stabilize our lives with their constant presence and unconditional devotion, and help us through rough times. Many owners consider their companion animals to be a family member.

Death is an inevitable part of pet ownership because of their relatively short life spans. It’s something that will affect most of us at some time, yet despite the unavoidability, when it happens it takes us completely by surprise, and the shock and grief becomes a very personal affair that we may struggle to deal with.

The Death

The grief felt by the loss of a pet is unique, and can elicit strong feelings that often parallel the grief response to the loss of a human companion. It is natural to feel shock, disbelief, numbness, anger, pain, hurt, sadness, guilt and overwhelming grief.

The loss of a pet may have many more implications other than the loss of companionship. The absence of the pet often creates secondary disruptions such as the loss of enjoyable past times. There may also be “symbolic loss” where the pet represented a last link with special people, or times. If the pet’s death removes those links, old losses are re-grieved in conjunction with current ones.

Things are often made worse by the total lack of understanding from those who believe the loss means nothing.  We live in a society where speaking about death is keenly avoided, yet an estimated 75% of owners experience difficulties after pets die.

Euthanasia

Euthanasia literally means “good death”, but coming to terms with the loss of a pet may be particularly difficult if you were in the position of having to have them put to sleep. Many people will experience feelings of guilt. You may ask yourself whether you did the right thing, or re-examine what more you could I have done.  This is normal. I am sure you will have done all that you could, which is the most we can ever do.

Making that decision shows the enormous amount of love you had for your pet, and your ability to put their well being before your own thoughts of loss. When a pet we love is ill and suffering, there is no other choice but making the decision to have their life ended.

Grieving

Grieving is a process not an event. The process consists of a number of stages: disbelief, pain, anger, guilt and acceptance.

Immediately after the death of a pet, the owner often feels shock or denial. It may be hard to accept the animal is no longer with us. Our homes may feel very empty, and our days long any lonely.

The middle phases involves emotional pain, and feelings of guilt, anger and depression. This is the time when you need the support of family and friends.

There is often no clear beginning or end to the grieving process. Each person grieves differently. You may get stuck in one phase, or skip others. Healing will take a dissimilar amount of time for each individual.

The last stage of the process is acceptance and recovery. You may still experience sadness, but you will have accepted the reality of the loss of your pet, and can look back with happiness on the many pleasant memories of your time together.

Occasionally, grief can remain unresolved. This is a very real problem and was a major contributory factor in the establishment of the Pet Bereavement Support Service.

Coping

The death of a pet is very upsetting, and it is important to allow yourself to grieve. Don’t feel embarrassed about crying. It helps when you release these intense emotions. If grief is freely expressed, healing time is greatly reduced. When the expression of grief is inhibited, recovery takes longer.

On the Internet you will also find a number of moving poems. “Rainbow Bridge” is one example. Briefly, this says that dogs go to a place outside the gates to Heaven. Their illnesses are cured, old dogs become young again, and they play together happily, waiting for the arrival of the owner they left behind so that they can enter Heaven together. I’m not sure that I believe in Heaven, but the imagery makes me very emotional, and I hope my dog has found Rainbow Bridge. If you need to cry, find and read this poem.

Try to remember your pet in whichever way helps: talk about them, look at their photos, or write about them. I wrote a letter to my dog. I knew he would never read it, but it helped me to say goodbye. I needed to tell him how proud I had been of him, how much I had enjoyed our time together, and apologise for the occasions when I had been annoyed or didn’t have the time to play.

In a family, there may be differences in the way that people express their grief, and this can create conflict due to a lack of understanding of what others are feeling. It’s very important to talk with family members, and share your feelings. My letter to my dog helped my wife to better understand how I was feeling.

Sometimes other people do not recognise the extent to which the loss of your pet may be affecting you. It is not uncommon to hear comments like “it was only a dog”, or “you can easily get another one”. It is important for you to have someone who knows from personal experience how distressing the loss of a pet can be, and who will listen with compassion and without judgement. The Blue Cross, Britain’s pet charity, runs the Pet Bereavement Support Service and telephone help line (0800 096 6606). Volunteers who are trained to deal with pet bereavement problems provide advice and counselling. Don’t be too proud to ask for help.

There are many Internet web sites where you can create a memorial – just a few words to record your sorrow and love. It helps you release your feelings, and appreciate there are many other people who feel the same way.

Don’t rush into any decisions as you may do something you will regret. Tidy away their things if it helps you, but don’t dispose of them. Some people will want to get another pet, but don’t do this too quickly as you need time to come to terms with your loss.

Closure

When we lose a person we love, they would ultimately want us to move on with our lives and be as happy as we can. It is the same when we loose a loved pet  – they too would want us to move on, be happy, and remember the good times with them.

Although coming to terms with the loss of a loved pet can be devastating, it is also a reflection of the pleasure they brought to us during their life. The pain and sadness will diminish.

If you have a lot of love and caring to give to another pet, that would be a really good thing to do – but when the time is right for you. You pet would want you to love again.

 Portraits by John Burton

More Grieving For You Pet Articles

Pet Loss

Pet Loss – it’s not easy
My husband and I lost our beloved cat and it felt as if we had lost a child, there is no other way I can describe it, it seemed as if nothing else mattered in our world. And I am not one of those people who has animals instead of children, I do have children and grand children who I love dearly but I also loved my cat dearly too.

You have to ignore the sniggers from others because they think you are mad, but you know that you have loved and cared for one of gods creatures to the best of your ability and should feel proud of that fact and also that you are a more caring person than your non animal lover counter part.

It is up to you to do everything you can to get through your loss, there aren’t many understanding people around who will help you. Close friends and family are usually quite good if they have pets themselves as they will understand some of your pain.

Allow yourself to grieve and allow enough time to grieve, take time off work, take time out, sort through your photos of your pet, plan a rememberance day and this can be just you and your memories, have a rememberance item made there are loads to choose from online, there are pet crematoriums or a pet cemetery, do whatever you need to do or what you think will help you and don’t worry what other people will think. This is your grieving time, allow yourself to do it.

Don’t hide your grief
I have a relative who was told the awful news that her cat had cancer and the kindest option was to put the cat to sleep. This lady couldn’t bring herself to be with her cat in its final moments because she was worried about what people would think of her if she cried in public. I think this is so sad where we live in a society where we worry so much what other people will think of us.

Grief, no matter who its for, should be an emotion we don’t have to hide.

Like any other loss you don’t ever get over it but you do get through it and it does becomes easier to cope with. I found it very difficult to think of all the good times with out cat when he had been so ill and all I could think about was memories of him being ill. But no that some time has passed I have moved on from that and can think about all the fun memories I have, I think about all the funny little things he used to do and how much he made us laugh.

So please don’t beat yourself up, I promise you it does get easier with time. As they say time is a great healer and it is but you also have to help yourself. It is so important to heal your heart when you are grief striken, if the grief dosen’t come out it will transpire into something else which you don’t want. So for goodness sake please allow yourself to GRIEVE for the sake of your health.

I hope in reading this it has helped anyone who is going through a Pet loss, you are not on your own.

With much Love
Christine

www.healing-for-health.com/pet-loss.html

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Helping Children Cope With Pet Loss – 3 Tips to Help Infants and Children Up to Three Years

The subject of death and dying can be a very challenging topic for a parent to help a child understand. When a family pet dies, this is usually the first time a child has experienced death. Infants and children up to age three will probably not understand what the death of a pet means, but, can easily pick up the unease, stress, and emotions other family members are feeling.

How a child sees others nearby handle a pet’s death will have long term consequences of their view of death and dying. It is okay to show your feelings of pain and sorrow by crying, but, the feelings should be controlled, and viewed as a natural reaction to the loss of a loved one. A good approach is to be honest about describing the finality of death, and to use the words “death and dying.”

In helping children cope with a pet loss, it is important to recognize that a child does not have enough experience in life to fully understand the concept of death. A simple explanation stating that the pet has died and will not return, is all that is really needed. The child should be reassured that nothing he/she said or did contributed to the death. A child may show signs of regressing such as a return to thumb sucking or have a temper tantrum. Some may have a nightmare or express fear that their parents will also die. These are all normal reactions to something that is unknown and new.

The following three tips can give ideas on how to handle a pet’s death with children up to age three:

1) reassure the child by embracing and hugging him/her

2) try to maintain the day to day normal household routine

3) consider replacing the pet as a child in this age range can generally welcome a new pet quite readily

When there is a death of a pet and children are involved, special tact should be made to help them understand what is going on and that it is alright to cry and be upset.

Deborah A. is an animal lover with a special interest in helping others cope after the loss of a pet. Are you trying to move past the grief of your pet’s death? CLICK HERE or go to: http://www.petlosshelp.info to get more tips and relief in coping with your pet loss.

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