Posts Tagged ‘Pets’

Pet Memorials – People Find Peace in Pets’ Passing

Pet Memorials – People Find Peace in Pets’ Passing

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.

Pets for Kids – “10 Essential Reality Checks!”

Pets for Kids – “10 Essential Reality Checks!”

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

Pets questions and answers

Pets questions and answers

any free puppies?
my little cousins recently had to put down their dog and they are looking for a new one.

Rabbit Help?
How do u tell if a rabbit is lonely? I have a dwarf and be thinking about getting another from a shelter. Can to neutered male rabbits live together? How can I introduce them?

Breeding Crickets..?
Ok, so I have a lot of pets that eat those crickets that you buy at the pet store. Including, turtles, geckos, tarantula etc. I read contained by a book that you can breed those crickets so you don’t have to buy so many at the pet…

any one know where on earth to return with rabbits from ?
i really want a British Giant Rabbit and will look after it and stuff like that but i don’t ni where to get one from so whether any one breeds them and they live sort close to west sussex please answer this question… or if you know…

Companion Pet Please ?
I have a friend who is very lonely, her parents got a divorce and for a while depressed. I looked into getting her a pet monkey but, its to hard SHE NEEDS A COMPANION! Not a cat or dog, what should I do?

GETTING RID OF A PET?
I Have A Pet ferret that i cant take care of anymore what do i do who do i call i only want him to find a nicer home

How can i be help for grieving for a pet?
My rabbit passed away yesterday and i need help. How long should i lurk for another pet? i need that special bond. How should i remember him in a good channel but overcome the grief??

How to go swimming a hedgehog??
Hi,I’m thinking about getting a hedgehog, so I’m reading up on them as much as I can. I have a few questions though. Is Aveeno unscented Oatmeal Body Wash okay for them? How should I apply the body wipe? Also, How do I pick them up?

I enjoy a hedgehog examine?
Ok, I have 2 questions.1. How old do hedgies enjoy to be to breed them?2. Do you have to have a license to breed them?Thanks,Renesmee

I hold Pig i mingy Big problem ?
My problem is awful my nose is like going adjectives weird shaped. its starting to look flat and turned up. its starting to look like a snout like Penelope’s you know the one surrounded by the movie.Oooooo wat do i do im scared, i look so…

is it undamaging to buy pets online?
how do i know if the puppy i’m trying to buy is reallly purebreed how can i tell if puppy is really is akc?etci requirement please

Is the Jack Russel a dutiful choice for a pet?
Looking for a dog. I don’t want one that is a ton of trouble and too small to take care of it self, but also don’t want one too big to ride within the front seat of truck with me. Just looking for a…

my pregnant cat have be making impressively funny noise times past few days. WHY?
We found her abandoned on Oct 15th, brought her to vet then home. It turns out she is pregnant and whether I go by the dates we found her, another 2 or 3 weeks (not sure of exact date) she will be due. Vet confirmed closing week…

Question in the region of Lop Rabbit?
I want a lop rabbit but need to do a little more research before I resolve if I should get one or not. Which lop rabbit is the best kind to obtain? Do they need lots of attention? Do they scratch lots? Anything you know about…

Should within be a try-out to own a pet?
Does anybody agree with me that there should be some sort of test to gage whether you would know how to take care of a pet or be a responsible pet owner? I just don;t cogitate that it is fair on some animals that they are given…

what can i nurture my rabbit ?
I want to feed my rabbit other things than pet food but what is best and what will he like ?

where on earth can i get hold of chicken lead?
ok so i have a little rabbit called Mr.Flop and we want to sort him a run so he can run about in the garden.unfortunately at hand are to many cats around so he cant run about the garden with out his harness on which is why…

where on earth can I achieve a praying mantis as a pet?
My Dad has been fascinated with praying mantises as long as I can remember, and I be thinking about getting him one as a pet. Where can I get one ( I live in West Virginia) and how not easy are they to take care of? He…

<~ Name this cat…she’s a girl?
We’ve recently adopted her and can’t decide on a designation.HELP!

<~ See this cat? Name her?
We have taken in a stray cat, but we don’t know what to call her.Have a progress yourself.We already have the following names:HenryFleurPoppyBrackenBillyJasmineSnowdropLilacPansyLilyWillowHolyWoodyPreferably a flower type name to fit surrounded by with the names above.

? Anyone who have roughly speaking 3 minutes?
Could anyone/everyone go to Google Translator ( http://translate.google.com/translate_t?… ) and type in the name Paco and translate it from English to Chinese (Traditional)? If actual Chinese characters come up, afterwards, could you take a screenshot, save it, upload it ( http://imageshack.us/ ) ,…

(anybody within here next to a sugarglider) what do they chomp through, what do they stipulation, etc?
I recently got a sugarglider and I have a recipe of what they used to nurture him, and I made some food. But I also want to know what fruits, veggies, etc, they can eat.What exactly do they need apart from enclose and pouches. I would be…

(does anyone know where on earth i can carry a capuchin monkey from any be surrounded by chicago il 2 indiana duenes?
hellow my name is Beatriz I have been looking to draw from a capuchin monkey but i have been having some difficulties, does anyone know where on earth i can get a capuchin monkey anywher from around the chicagoland area the indiana dunes area and any where…

(for a survey, PLEASE ANSWER!) effortless 10 points! DO YOU LIKE CATS BETTER OR DOGS?
I’m doing a survey for class and I really need your answers FAST! Do you like cats better or dogs better AND WHY. I’m more of a cat soul my self but I need 37 more answers at least! Please answer!

(HELP!) Is a masculine or feminine mouse faster? ?
I’m doing a science project on this, but I need to see what you think. Well, actually I involve resources that I can add on to, so what do you think?? Please help me, I can’t find anything on any website and I want it done by…

**ALL RABBIT LOVERS!CALLING ALL RABBIT LOVERS!*?
okay what do you need to take care of a rabbit??

*Help! Pet cross-examine!**?
hi i need help it is a pet question and i inevitability a non-nocturnal pet that is not a hamster, ferret, sugar glider, or at turtle! I know petty tough! and i really want to cuddle with what ever pet you guys are going to tell me…

… What is a cavalier?
Someone wrote in another post they had it as a pet. I only know of the coupé. What kind of animal is a cavalier?

…what this foreign type of pet?
does anyone know what this new pet is? i don’t know much about it but apparently it bonds with you straight absent and it’s small and i think it’s australian, might not be thoughanyway it’s a new type of pet

ferret bites me for nothinnngg?
ohh dear i just finished playing with my ferret and i had scruufed it corectly because i lately got him not to long ago and the first thing he did was to attak me write after i scruffed it…

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