Pet Loss Grief: Pet Hospice?

Pet Hospice: Another Pet Loss Grief Alternative

Lady walking her dog in a park
Dealing with Pet Loss Grief can be hard.

It used to be the only choice you had was to euthanize your pet if it was terminally sick or injured. Now pet hospice provides another alternative. Pet hospice has slowly been gaining acceptance in recent years, even though it has been around for a couple of decades. Based on the successful model that has been used with humans, pet hospice allows for animals to die as comfortably and as painlessly as possible in the home.

Hospice for pets can be a volunteer organization working with a veterinarian or it can be members of a vet staff that provide the education and care of terminally ill pets. Taking care of a dying pet can be very demanding and can add to your pet loss grief. If you decide to take on this challenge, you will need to set aside time so that you can provide the necessary support to your animal. You are taught to understand the body language of your animal so that you will know if it is in distress or discomfort. Pet hospice helps you deal with the loss of your pet by educating you in pain management so that you will know when the appropriate time to give medications is. Usually meds are given before the pain becomes a problem. They also provide grief counseling for you and the family as you prepare for your pet to die.

If you don’t have a pet hospice near you, you can talk by phone or contact online organizations that can work with you. You always have the option to euthanize if you can’t manage the animal’s pain or if you can’t handle your pet’s suffering. Pet hospice is just another alternative that will allow your pet to die with dignity and in a peaceful environment surrounded by loved ones.

How to Deal with Pet Loss Grief

A shadow of a man and his dog.
How does pet loss grief affect you?

Let us face it there are far more pet owners out there than ever before. A lot of these pet owners do not consider themselves as owners of a pet, but rather a parent to their pet. They consider their pet a child or even just a member of their family. With these kinds of attachments it has become imperative to treat pet loss grief. The grief a pet owner experiences after having lost a pet can become very serious. It is important that every pet owner get the proper help they need should they feel trapped in the grief for their pet. For those reasons you can certify as pet-loss grief support specialist. You can make a difference in someone’s life and help them overcome the loss of their pets. Now more than ever it is important for people suffering from the loss of their pets to get some help as it will help them not only to cope but to move forward in their lives.

Loss of a Pet: Elderly and Pets

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 and How to Overcome it.

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

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.

Helping Individuals with Pet Loss Grief

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

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

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 Grief and Love

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: Memorializing a Pet

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