Pet Loss Grief Support

Loss of a Pet: Elderly and Pets

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Elderly and Pets

In many cases, the loss of a pet can be an extraordinary pain for an elderly person.  This is especially for elderly who have lost many family members and their spouse.  In many cases, the pet was probably the last attachment they had in the world.
The loss of a pet in these cases needs to be treated more seriously.  Counselors need to pay special attention to the elderly.  Without something or someone to care for, the elderly can fall into depression or lose the will to live.
If the elderly person is healthy enough, a new pet or a hobby should be sought after.  Constant care and diligence is needed by counselors in the care of the elderly in these cases, unfortunately, time and manpower sometimes is not enough for these unfortunate lonely souls.
Pet loss can be in some cases the final blow to their well being but with someone who understands pet loss and has the ability to help heal the wounds, then perhaps the person can find some identity in this loss and rebound from it.
If you are interested in Pet Loss Grief, please review the program
Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

Pet Loss Support

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

How to Deal with Pet Loss Grief?

Pet Loss Recovery
Pet Loss Support

A couple of days ago our family dog died. It was very difficult for all of us. We had that dog for more than 13 years and I really felt like she was part of the family. She was a beautiful golden retriever and she had a great personality. She was always very good with my children and my children loved her. It is very difficult to know what to say to your children when a family pet dies. Right now I am looking up pet loss grief on the Internet to try to get some ideas on things that I can say to comfort my children when they talk about the dog that we lost. My husband and I have talked about getting another dog in a couple of weeks when we are over our grief. It would be really fun to have another puppy or dog around the house.   Pet Loss Support
By Jules Morgan

Pet Loss and How to Overcome it.

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

What is Pet Loss Grief?

A picture of a black poodle
Loosing a pet is never easy.

Adults and kids tend to get really attached to their beloved pets. For children, it’s often worse when their pets die because they have a hard time expressing their pet loss grief and may choose to act out or simply cry. Adults should take the time to sit the child down and explain to him or her that their pet is no longer suffering and went to a better place. Kids don’t always understand that the dog or cat was there the day before and now it has simply vanished. By telling them the animal is in a special place, it gives them a mental image to think about. You can also get pictures of the pet and put them in a unique frame by the child’s bed or on the fridge. Suggest to your son or daughter to draw a picture of the animal with their favorite toy. Drawing is a great form of therapy. When you feel the child is perhaps ready for another pet, see if they want to pick out another pet. Explain it is not meant to replace their favorite animal, but possibly will help comfort them and can be their friend, too.
By Jessica Banker

Pet loss grief

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Pet Loss Grief and You.

A cat sitting in a bush
Pet Loss Grief

Lately I have noticed that our cat is starting to get a little bit old. He doesn’t seem to jump around play around anymore like he used to, and he seems to have a little bit of arthritis in his back and his joints. I’m really concerned about it, because I know that my wife is really attached to my cat. I’ve heard that some people suffer a lot of pet loss grief when their pets die, and I really don’t want that to happen to my wife. I wish there was some reason that I could just give the cat away, but I can’t think of anything that would really make sense. I think that if I tried to do something like that, she would catch on to what I was doing. I guess that’s the problem was having an intelligent wife. I could also think about just getting another cat now, like a little kitten so that the one kitten could sort of distract her from the loss of the other cat. That might help a little bit, but I’m really not sure if it will make very much of a difference. I just hope that she doesn’t go through too much emotional stress when all that happens. Sometimes my wife can really get attached to things like that and it can affect her.

Loss of a Pet

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Loss of a Pet can Hurt but There is Help!

Some people believe that experiencing intense grief over the loss of a pet is ridiculous, and they will make those suffering great pain over a beloved animal feel like their pain is not to be taken seriously. Most of us who have truly loved a dog, cat, or other pet, however, know how real pet loss grief can be. For many people, a pet is indeed a member of the family, and people grow incredibly close to their pets over the years. The loss of a pet can leave a person feeling extreme loneliness, sadness, and depression. It is important to have someone who is sympathetic to talk about this pain with. Unfortunately, some people find they have no one to talk to about what they’re going through. Or, for some the grieving process is so intense that they need to talk with someone with training in the grieving of a pet. There are counselors who specialize in the grief of losing pets who would be happy to help people in these situations. If you’re having trouble handling the loss of your pet, you should contact your veterinarian and he or she should be able to find you a specialist who can help.

A picture of a dog in a grassy field
Loss of a pet can be difficult but there are people who can help.

Ask Dr. Shu- Do other Pets Grieve the Loss of Another Pet?

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

husky in turtle neckDo Other Pets grieve When the Loss of Another Pet Happens?

To someone who has never owned a pet, it may come to surprise that pets grieve for the loss of another pet.  Those who have owned dogs or cats before only know to well the pain and loss another pet can feel.
I think the classic book, “Where the Red Fern Grows” captures this best as the one coon hound’s partner refused to eat or live without her partner.  Death came quickly in the grief of the other dog because she missed her friend so much.
This can and does happen.  Most of the time pets will mope or not eat as much.  This was the case with one of my dogs who lost his life long friend.  After her death, he moped, did not eat nor seem as energetic.  In other cases, the surviving pet will sometimes look for their friend as if surprised he does not run up the stairs with him when called.  Sometimes their ears will perk up upon the mentioning of their treasured lost friend.  The reality is bonds do form among dogs and cats.  Especially in more socially structured packs of dogs where there is a hierarchy and dependency.

“Dr. Shu” insists that all dogs feel sadness regarding the loss of another pet.  He recommends spending extra time with the surviving pet and grieving together.  He also recommends extra attention in regards to treats and toys to cheer the surviving pet up.  The surviving pet should not be left alone and should be monitored for any signs of depression or change of behavior.  Shu relates that “the owner should open up his emotions and grieve together with the surviving pet, providing love for the surviving pet and also giving the owner an emotional outlet to express his or her grief for the loss of the deceased pet”
Of course, sometimes a new friend may be in the future as well to help spark up the spirits of your surviving canine or feline.  In the end, it is a mutual grieving process and owner and surviving pet should grieve together.
Please review the pet loss program.
Dr. Shu, Ph.D

(Dr. Shu is a fictional character)

Helping Individuals with Pet Loss Grief

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Pet Loss Grief Counseling Can Help.

A shadow of a man petting his dog
Pet Loss Grief can hurt. Learn to counseling those in need.

If you are looking to work in the counseling industry, there are various areas in life to where people need counseling. You can take specific courses in these areas to learn how to deal with each situation on a professional and caring level. One area of grief counseling is pet loss grief. Pet loss grieving is a very serious and real matter. Many people feel a deep loss and depression after losing a pet, and they need to be counseled as someone would that has lost a friend or loved one. By learning the key points to target when working with these individuals, you will be able to give them the counseling and support they need to mourn their loss and start to heal. Working as a counselor can be very rewarding and challenging at the same time. By having expertise in many different areas of grief, you will be able to help all of those that seek your services.

St. Francis of Assisi, Patron of Animals and Pets

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

St. Francis and Pet Loss

While many people grieve the loss of their pets, they find little solace or peace.  They toss and turn without any relief from the sudden loss of their friend.  One should in such turmoil attempt to find some inner peace via spirituality.  One heavenly friend to turn to is St. Francis of Assissi, the patron of animlas and pets.
St. Francis is a Christian saint that has gained renown throughout the Western world for his love of animals.  Many stories relate his interaction and love for animals.  He referred to his animal friends as “brother” or “sister”.  Far from a Taoist, Francis’ love for animals was merely because they were fellow creations and manifestations of God’s love for everything.  Still even those of non-Christian background and find awe and inspiration in the love Francis showed for the other species of this planet.
When in sorrow over the loss of a pet, one should find peace that St. Francis understands this loss and will gladly hear our cries and care for our pets until the day comes when we meet them in the afterlife as well.
If you are interested in pet loss grief, please review the program.  Also if you are interested in Christian related grief topics, review our Christian Grief Program as well.

Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

Finding Pet Loss Grief Courses

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Finding Pet Loss Grief Courses

pet loss grief
pet loss grief

Losing a pet can be a truly terrible experience. Many people who have never had pets simply do not understand the incredible sense of loss one can feel after losing their companion that they’ve had for years. A dog of cat is more than that to the owner of the pet; it is a friend. However, a lot of people have trouble dealing with their grief after their pet passes on, so there are courses pet loss grief that one can take, that are offered in some places. There are also courses for counselors who can help people deal with grief after pet loss. These times can be especially difficult for those who relied on the pet in some way. For example, a seeing eye dog is more than a pet for a blind person. It is a tool for living. For an elderly person living alone, their dog or cat may be a true lifesaver. For any family or person, there is nothing wrong with asking for help.

Pet loss: "Life is a Series of Dogs"

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Aging Pets and Pet Loss: Is a New Puppy the Answer?

To quote the great and immortals comedian, George Carlin, “Life is a series of dogs”!  How true it is for life long pet owners.  Usually most can remember the family dog as a young child, then the dog that guided one through adolescents, and of course the dog that was at your side as you made your vows to your wife, then the dog that… you get the point?  But with all these happy moments, pet loss still correlates with these events.  With each sad loss, a new beginning ushers one into a new era.
Of course the new friend may be a different.  He or she may be different in personality, breed or maybe even species?  But the reality is, the new pet can never replace the previous.  Dogs throughout our life are like family members and each one is remembered within our hearts for their unique special traits and partnerships they formed with us during a particular phase of our life.
So when one finds a new friend, do not consider it a replacement but an addition to one’s family.  A legacy, a continuation of dogs that are all intimately tied to one’s life.
In my particular situation, we have always had a tradition of passing the torch.  There is always new life, a puppy, in the house as the previous generation approaches its evening years.  In this way, from the first Siberian Husky I grew up with to the latest three that now “own” the home have all in some way been connected by a previous generation that knew the previous one before that.
So the decision to get a puppy does not become a need to overcome sorrow but a continuation of the family which allows the spirits of the previous generations to share with the new.  In this way the decision to get a new puppy is always a “yes”.

If you are interested in the Pet Loss Grief Training, please review the program.  Jennifer Melvin, your instructor, will be glad to explain the courses and guide you through the process.

Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C