Posts Tagged ‘Tips’

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

It’s not the same without you pepper, I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU!!!! 7/8/98 – 5/23/08


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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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Coping With Loss Of Pet – 4 Tips To Get Past Feelings Of Guilt

Coping With Loss Of Pet – 4 Tips To Get Past Feelings Of Guilt

Having a pet is one of the best friendships you can have – a pet is always available and in spite of human flaws, they do not judge and will continue to love you! Coping with the loss of your pet is never easy. Grieving after a pet dies is a completely normal reaction, however, it is easy to take it a step further and start to blame yourself for the death. You may feel that if you were in more command of the situation, the death would never have occurred.

Holding yourself responsible for the death of a pet can prevent you from moving ahead and healing from the loss. There can be many factors involved that cause you to having feelings of guilt:

a) avoided getting the annual vaccinations

b) did not provide enough exercise and play time

c) adequate nourishment was not always given

d) did not see symptoms of ill health

e) unable to afford additional medical care

f) were careless and allowed an accident to occur

Although you may not have always made the most desirable decisions in caring for your pet, it is important to stop blaming yourself. To better cope with the loss of your pet, accept that you wish you had handled the situation a better way and discuss this with people you care about. The following are four tips to help get past feelings of guilt:

1) realize that animals tend to hide signs of illness

2) remember the love you had for your pet and that you never planned to hurt it

3) recall all of the wonderful times you spent with your pet, and the occasions you provided for and cared for it

4) write a letter to your pet, explaining why you feel guilty and ask for forgiveness

In coping with the loss of your pet, guilt can be one of the strongest emotions you experience.

By learning to get past the self blame, you can move forward and appreciate the wonderful times you shared with your treasured pet.

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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Cope With Pet Loss With These 5 Easy Tips

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Cope With Pet Loss With These 5 Easy Tips

Copyright (c) 2009 Rebecca Kimes

Losing a beloved pet is often one of the most significant losses in your life. Your loss will cause you to suffer from crying, depression, appetite loss, sleeplessness, anger, guilt and anxiety.

It?s important to know that everything you are going through is a natural process. However there are steps, tools, and processes you can take advantage of that will make the grieving process easier.

Here are 5 ways to help you grieve. These tips will allow you to move ahead in your life with more ease and grace.

Acknowledge That You Have the Right to Grieve

All too often the grieving process is complicated by feelings that you are over-reacting to the loss of your pet. “Why are you upset, it was only a cat” is something that many of your friends and family might say.

These well-wishers may not realized the depth of attachment that you shared with your constant and loyal companion. Realize right now that it was and still is a meaningful, heart-felt relationship and you have every right to deeply miss your companion and grieve.

Form a Support Network

During this vulnerable time surround yourself with people who understand and are empathetic to your situation. There are many support systems and communities available. Your veterinarian may have suggestions as well as your local humane society. Many cities offer local, in-person pet loss support groups. There are numerous forums and communities so you can meet people who are also dealing with pet loss.

Perform a Ritual

When you feel ready performing a ritual is a way to formally say goodbye to your companion. It also gives you permission to move on with your life. You could have a funeral for you pet even several weeks or months after their passing. Consider performing a candle ceremony with select friends and family. Let your inner creativity shine and design a ritual from your heart. Know that whatever you choose will be perfect.

Take Care of Your Body

The grieving process affects your body. During such times it is important to give your body extra care and attention. Going for walks out in Nature can clear your head and ground you. Exercise can help put you body back in balance.

Consider getting a massage. Massages release toxins and relax you. What else can you do to pamper and take care of yourself during such a trying time?

Learn to Soothe Yourself

Soothing yourself is an important process to learn and implement during times of intense grief. It is a way to feel better and allow yourself to move up the vibrational scale.

Essentially, talk to yourself as you would talk to a hurt child. ?I know that I am feeling extremely down today. But that?s OK. I?ll be with what I feel because I know that really soon I?ll feel better. I know that I have lots of options right now. I could go on-line and connect with new friends. Or I could call my grief coach. I am certain that these feelings of grief will soon go away. I also know that my animal companion is with me, right now, in spirit. And if I become still, and go within I can easily connect with her spirit. Actually, I can feel my spirits lifting right now. Yes, I do feel better. And I will feel even better if I take a hot bath right now. I am very thankful that I have some time to relax and take wonderful care of myself. I deserve it.?

Play with this new tool often, whenever you feel like you would like a little lift to your spirits. You will be amazed at how effective soothing yourself is.

Take heart that although this is a seemingly impossible time you will soon feel better. There are many resources and people to help you elegantly recover from the loss of your beloved animal companion.

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Grieving A Pet Loss – 3 Tips To Assist You In The Grieving Process

Grieving A Pet Loss – 3 Tips To Assist You In The Grieving Process

Losing a pet can be a heartbreaking experience. For those of us who share their life with a beloved pet, grieving a pet loss can be very agonizing. You may notice physical symptoms such as having a poor appetite, difficulty sleeping, or little energy.

If you had a strong, emotional relationship with your pet, your feelings of hurt may startle you. For those who have deeply cared for their pet, the loss can seem every bit as overwhelming as the death of a human. When you consider that a pet can give you unconditional love and friendship, does not judge you, and provides dedicated affection, it becomes easier to understand why the loss can be so deep.

By taking a look at how you have dealt with other losses in your life, you will be able to draw strength at getting through this one as well. The following three tips may assist you in the grieving process:

1) When you have suffered a loss in the past, how did you cope with it - did you isolate yourself from others, yell, cry, seek comfort from a close friend or relative?

2) What knowledge did you gain from your previous losses that can help you now – did you learn how to minimize the agony somehow, discover better ways to cope, reduce the time it took to get back on your feet?

3) In working through your present grief, what kind of support would be helpful - talking your feelings out, immersing yourself in a physical activity or hobby, replacing your loss with another pet?

Grieving a pet loss and feeling depressed is normal. It is important to take time to feel the loss and then discover the best way for you to be able to move ahead with your life.

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.

Helping Your Child Cope With Pet Loss – 3 Tips to Help Children Ages 2-6

Helping Your Child Cope With Pet Loss – 3 Tips to Help Children Ages 2-6

For many people, a pet is considered to be an important member of the family. Losing a pet can, therefore, cause a substantial amount of grieving in a household. When there are children involved, special consideration should be made as this is often a child’s initial exposure with death.

In helping your child cope with pet loss, it is important to realize that everyone (including the parents) is going to be emotionally affected. You will need to convey to your children that it is okay to grieve. By showing your own emotions and grief, this sends a message that the pet was an extraordinary member of the family, and allows your children to also show their sadness and thus, start the healing process.

For children ages 2-6, the death of their pet will feel like the loss of a friend. A child may not see the death as something permanent. They may think their pet is asleep, or feel that bad behavior or anger directed towards the pet caused the death. By avoiding saying the pet has been “put to sleep,” or “run away,” you can minimize confusion or doubt. If you say that their pet’s body no longer works and that the pet will not be returning, this helps keep the explanation simple.

The following three tips can give ideas on how to handle a pet’s death with children ages 2-6:

1) inform your child’s teachers about the pet loss in case there are any behavior changes

2) hold off on getting another pet until your child shows a desire for one

3) be open to having as many conversations as needed to allow your child to share his/her emotions and worries

Helping your child cope with pet loss will take some extra attention, however, children are generally able to accept their pet is gone and recover from the loss.

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?