Pet Loss Grief Support

Pet Loss Grief and Love

Posted on by Dominick Flarey
A happy puppy running in the grass
Let your pet’s life remind you that love is all around us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dealing with pet loss grief, like other forms of grief, can be difficult.  Most of us have a hard time seeing past the loss of a pet.   Do not allow yourself to feel bad.   Grieving is natural!  Do not let the grieving, however, be the only feeling that remains.    Our pets are important to us because they remind us of love.   Our pets love us and we love them.   They show us the good that exists in nature.    For more details please review the following:

Pet Loss Grief and Love

The article, “Its not about grief, its about love, ” by Marianne Soucy states

That is why animals are so important to the health of us humans – physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Our animal companions can teach us to be present and experience the love that is within us and around us. We are surrounded by much love and joy – if  we allow ourselves to open up, to pay attention and experience it.  For example, I can experience love from my cats.  And when I look outside, I see the garden, the sunrise, the birds, all the life out there – how can I not see the beauty and magic – the love.

For the full article please go here.

Do not let pet loss grief be the only thing you remember about your animal companion.   In the end you will have to choose between your grief and love.   Choose love and embrace everything good about having pets.
If you want to learn more about pet loss grief counseling then you should visit our website.

Pet Loss Grief: Should you Get a New Pet?

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

After a Loss of a Pet, Should I Buy a New Pet?

It is extremely painful when a pet dies. After years and years of loving companionship, saying farewell to your faithful friend is among the hardest things to go through. The void they leave behind is much the same as a friend or relative passing, and it doesn’t matter what anyone says, they were still part of the family. For many children, the death or loss of a pet is the first time they will have experienced it in their lives, and it will be necessary to nurture them through these tough times too. The most important thing to do when your pet has died is to allow yourself time to grieve, and to go through the proper stages of grief without anyone making you feel guilty for doing so. Many non animal lovers do not understand, and can be insensitive to your feelings, but ignore them and follow your own instincts and do what you feel necessary to get over it. One of

the most common things people suggest is to get another pet straight away. This can be beneficial, but it does also have some problems too, and you should consider the impact of choosing to go this route or not. At the very least, allow yourself a week or so to begin the healing process, and for your emotions to come back under check.

The Pros of Getting Another Pet Right Away.

Before discussing some of the pros, if you do decide on this route, do not expect your new pet to be anything like your old one, and do not get one just to replace it. Your new pet will be a different personality with new traits and new things to learn about. This is a new member of the family. The beauty of getting a new pet is that it does help with the healing process. It is a new body to focus on, to take care of, to fall in love with and to help lift the household again. This is especially the case with dogs, as a home suddenly without a dog can really feel dead. Coming back to an empty house can prolong the grief of loss, whereas a new dog to come back home to, with a fresh smile and waggily tail can really lift your spirits. Furthermore, the new pet can help you to remember the old pet in fond ways. The new pet could do things which remind you of things the old one did which make you laugh, and this is very healthy.

The Cons of Getting Another Pet Right Away.

If you are not ready for a new pet, then don’t get one. Do not be forced into it by other members of the household, or you could end up resenting it. By not getting a new pet right away will enable you to grieve for as long as necessary, but also decide whether if you want another pet, and if so whether it will be the same animal. Secondly, because you are still in an emotional state, if you did get another pet, then you could become frustrated with it, because it’s not your old pet, or because it’s doing things wrong. This isn’t the pet’s fault, and it would be totally unfair on the pet and on you. Animals are very sensitive to people’s emotions, and if they do not feel settled, then there will be problems which will only exasperate the situation. Simply, if you do not feel ready to have a new pet, then wait and allow yourself to grieve the way you need to. In conclusion, everybody has their own ways of dealing with the grief of losing a loving pet. There is no simple solution, and we must all find our own way through these hard times. If you do decide to get another pet soon after the death of your old one, then be aware that you are still hurting, and you will need to deal with your emotions, as well as your new pet. On the other hand, your new pet can help you tremendously in dealing with this grief, as you forge a new lasting and loving relationship, based on companionship and love.
If you are interested in becoming certified as a pet loss grief counselor, please review the program.

Pet Loss Grief: Memorializing a Pet

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

The best ways of memorializing a pet

Memorializing a pet is quite a complex decision going by the number of ways people tend to connect to their pets and the different ways they like to remember them when they’re gone. When it comes to pets, almost everyone has a memory. Since pets form a significant part of their owner’s lives, they’re thoroughly missed in almost every case. The grief of pet loss can be just as hard as losing a family member. But just like we do for the people we love most, there are many ways of memorializing a pet once they’ve passed away. Here’s a list of 6 amazing things you can do to make sure your pet is remembered and cherished long after he/she is gone.

 Make an Photo Tribute

One of the best ways of memorializing a pet would be to make a photo tribute with all the pictures you’ve got of your little ball of fur. Of course, this is assuming you have plenty of pictures that are really good looking and photogenic. Amateur photos aren’t great for a detailed photo tribute, but nonetheless if low quality pictures are the only ones you have, you can still consider hiring the services of a photoshop expert to tune up, edit and turn your pet’s pictures into an album that will make an amazing photo tribute.

 Make a Life Size Replica

Another great way of memorializing a pet would be to have a life sized statue of him standing in your backyard. If you’re a craft person, you could also consider a bunch of other things like making a painting of your pet or a wood carving that symbolizes a cherished moment with your pet. However, none of these comes close to having a life size statue of your pet in your backyard. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just an ordinary sculpture painted in real life colors. If you’re willing to blow some cash on it, you might as well get it made in metal for a better look.

 Frame a Written Tribute

There’s no better way to express your love for a lost pet than through words. Words are not only the best possible way of memorializing a pet, but they also provide you and everyone else a perspective into your pet’s life long after he’s gone. Now that’s far better than a statue or a craft piece that just shows off how your pet looked. Instead, a written tribute like a framed poem along with a picture can be a better source of remembrance than anything else.

 Plant a Tree in your Pet’s Memory

Most cities would let you plant a tree memorializing a pet in a city park. However, if that is too much to ask, you can simply plant a seed or a sapling in your backyard in remembrance of your pet. If you’d like people to know more about your pet, you can also put a small plaque near the plant with a poem in memory of your pet. Make sure the plaque is not too near the tree as trees tend to grow big. With this you’d have a permanent living memory of your lost pet.

 Keep your Pet’s Ashes in an Ornate Urn

This is the most widely accepted conventional method of memorializing a pet these days. Buy an urn that is specially made to hold ashes. Most shops let you carve or inscribe your pet’s name on the urn for a small fee. Once made, you can put your pet’s ashes in the urn and keep it in a memorable place at your house. Sometimes you can even get a picture of your pet painted on the urn for better remembrance. If you inscribe a poem on the urn, it will be a great way of telling your kids and grandchildren later on in life about how wonderful your pet was. Having the urn as a memorial can be a good way to help with pet loss grief support

 Contribute to a Cause

It is most likely that your pet died of something. Let’s say a rash driver or a specific disease. Most animal shelters will let you put up a small plaque memorializing a pet at their grounds. They often let you do this in exchange for a small donation. You get the opportunity to highlight your pet’s fate and call for a solution on this plaque. You never know who it will inspire. You can also consider donating to research organizations that are trying to find a cure for whatever it is that your pet died of. There are many ways of memorializing a pet that are equally good or better than all the above. But in the end it’s all about how much you care for your pets and the kinds of ways in which you would like to remember them after they are gone.
If you are interested in information on this topic, click this link: Pet Loss Grief Support

Do All Good Dogs Go to Heaven?

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Pet Loss and the Afterlife?

One of the most agonizing and probing questions after the loss of a pet is if one’s pet will be with them in the afterlife.  There is a mixed consensus among theologians and others of many religious creeds, but I do

While other religions, especially the ancient religions, considered the spirit of animals sacred and eternal, Christianity has declared that only man is made in the image and likeness of God.  Yet from this phrase has come a few confusions.  First, what does it mean to be made in the image and likeness of God?  Obviously we do not physically look like God.  So what does this mean?  It simply means that our soul has an intellect and a will that can reason and make free choices.  Animals on the other hand while free to make decisions within the realm of instinct, do not have an ability to rationally and intellectually understand a moral framework of a decision.  This does not mean an animal cannot reason within the realms of cause and effect or show instinctive care, but it does forbid an animal from making moral decisions and understanding the implications of those decisions.
Yet, when one believes that man as being made in the image and likeness of God excludes all other in regards to eternal existence, I feel a mistake is being made.  I feel image and likeness refers to moral choice and superior intellect, not eternal existence.  Yes that is an element but it is not an element that is selfishly held by man alone.  Animals have spirits and to boldly proclaim they are not eternal spirits is a far reach.  Nowhere in Christianity does it definitively state if an animal has an eternal soul or not.  It merely states only man is made in the image and likeness of God.  And if we interpret image and likeness to primarily emphasize free choice and intellect, then we are free to share an eternal existence with other creatures and their spiritual form.
While the Doctor of the Church, St. Thomas Aquinas, questioned the eternal nature of the

So in conclusion, yes “hun”, Spike will be with you in Heaven one day!

If you are interested in our pet loss program, please review it.

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

Attachment and Pet Loss

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Pet Loss is not Irrelevant or Insignificant

One of the most disenfranchised loss in grief is pet loss.  So many times, people find pet loss to be insignificant or not important.  Due to this, many people lose important counseling and compassion in their loss of a pet.
Some people may feel, since it is not a human person, they should not burden others with their loss, or that other people might dismiss their loss as trivial.  The reality is the loss of a pet is a loss of a family member.  The attachment to the pet may vary from person to person but when one loses a pet, there is some form of attachment that has been severed.  Of course, there is a huge difference between a fish and a dog, but regardless, losing a friend that has been at your side for years will cause an emotional emptiness.
Attachment theory teaches that the greater the dependency and the stronger the bond, the

greater the pain if that bond is broken.  Many people have close relationships with their pets that are critical to their everyday lives.  The young child or the old man all find great comfort in their cat or dog.  This is especially true for the elderly.  In some cases, the shut ins of the world only have their dog or cat as companions.  With a spouse deceased and no children, some older people suffer a large emotional loss when a pet dies.
With these things in mind, it is important to realize that in grief counseling, especially pet loss grief counseling, one cannot dismiss a loss simply because it is a pet.  Instead, one should focus on the attachment level of the loss and not who the loss is.

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

Pet Loss Grief and People

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Pet Loss Grief

How is pet loss grief different than grieving for a fellow human being? In many ways, the two are the same. For some people, however, their pets are their closest confidants. These people choose to tell all of their deepest, darkest, secrets to their cat or dog instead of risking telling them to a person who might tell. Pets are a great comfort to their companions, and when they die, they leave a hole unlike any other known to man. When a person loses their pet, their house feels quiet and empty all of a sudden. Their everyday routines are altered and do not feel comfortable or right. There is no pet to feed or take on a walk or to cuddle with or reprimand when it scratches on the couch or barks at the mail man. A dog or a cat can be a person’s best friend, and losing that is hard to cope with

The Pain of Losing a Pet

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Losing A Pet is Hard

For many people, their pets are like a part of their family, so losing a pet can be very hard to deal with. If you are struggling with pet loss grief you should know that help is available to you. Do not feel embarrassed about grieving. You may need to talk to an experienced grief counselor who can help you deal with your emotions so that you can move forward in your life. Grieving for a lost pet is much like grieving after any major loss, so do not feel as if your emotions are not meaningful or important. To find an experienced counselor who can help with grief after the loss of a pet, you should look for an organization that requires its counselors to complete rigorous training. Make sure your counselor has plenty of experience with grieving individuals so that they can provide you with the support you need in your time of sorrow

Do You Want to Become A Pet Loss Counselor?

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Becoming a Pet Loss Grief Counselor

I think I am going to get certified to be a pet loss grief counselor. So many people have trouble when they lose a pet, though I think that many people feel embarrassed that it is hard to lose a pet. I know that when my dog passed away, I had a very hard time. I was at college, and my mom called to tell me what happened. I cried so hard, and I felt like I had to come up with a better reason for why I was so upset. Losing a pet can be very hard. Many times they are thought of as a family member, and when they pass, it can feel like part of the family is gone. It is important to work through this, and allow yourself to feel the grief that you experience. Having someone to talk to and help you work through this can be very helpful.

Dealing with Pet Loss Grief

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

How to Deal with Pet Loss Grief

When dealing with the loss of a pet, it is natural to feel a sense of grief, abandonment, and maybe even anger at the universe for taking away such a beloved companion. These are all normal expressions of a very real sorrow, and all part of the grief cycle. There are different methods of coping with the loss of a pet. Some families immediately purchase a new pet, in hopes of finding healing through loving another. Some families go through a pet dry spell where they eschew all pets in order to grieve for their lost pet more effectively. Still others seek outside help in the form of grief counseling, or seek solace in education with courses in pet loss grief. However you choose to mourn your furry friend, realize that this sadness is ultimately short lived, and there are always a multitude of friendly animals that would greatly benefit from the care and concern that you have to offer.

Courses in Pet Loss Bereavement

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Courses for Pet Loss Bereavement

For those who have ever lost a pet, you know that your dog, cat, horse o or other type of pet is more than a simple animal. Pets can be companions, friends, and even tools used for work, such as seeing eye dogs. Unfortunately, many people have trouble dealing with their grief. They are told that, because this was an animal and not a person, they should simply get over it. However, sometimes the loss of a pet can affect a person’s life even more than the loss of a person, and therefore these people might benefits from courses in pet loss bereavement. Learning how to properly handle grief after any traumatic life event is very important, and trained counselors running these types of classes can help a person learn to do that. You may never truly get over the loss of a beloved pet, but you can go back to feeling normal again, and possibly even learn to care for another animal.