Pet Loss Blog

Tradeshow

1/11/2022

Wolfie's Wish will be exhibiting at the Interzoo tradeshow in Nuremberg May 2022

It has been eleven weeks since I lost my cat. I finally decided I was ready to get another. I got two! I am so happy and knew it was time by listening to my gut. Pet loss is hard. Grief is hard. Moving on is hard. I still cry sometimes and yet, I have opened my heart and my home to two new kitties from a local shelter. It is so great. There is a special kind of joy that only pets can bring.

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two months later...

12/9/2021

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Hey readers! I must say that I am doing so much better. I still have the days where I cry and am sad, but time really does heal. I also find that reaching out to the other members in my Facebook groups that are grieving pet loss helps me because I can be there for them and encourage them to hang in there. I usually share one of the Grief Comfort Cards with them in a post. I really like the Rainbow Bridge Group and encourage readers to search for a support group to get the help they need and then to offer support.

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Getting a new pet?

11/29/2021

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After losing a pet, many people think about when to get a new one. The truth is, after losing a pet, there is no wrong time as long as you are not trying to replace your pet that passed. Every pet has a unique personality, so its best to wait until you can accept your new pet as they are without comparison.

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ten tips for coping with pet loss

11/28/2021

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Accept that what you are feeling is normal.
Science has proven that there is a special bond between humans and their pets. As a result, when you lose your furry friend, you will experience a sense of loss and grief. What you are feeling is very real and very normal. Remember, everyone experiences grief differently and the same is true for the loss of a pet. There is no right way. In other words, it is more than ok to feel what you are feeling.
Understand feelings of guilt.
Unfortunately, we don’t always get to define the terms of our pet’s death. We may be required to make difficult decisions and hard choices. For example, many people experience feelings of guilt when forced to choose euthanasia for their pet. It can help to remind yourself that you have prevented your companion from pain and suffering by making that hard choice.
Take your time and allow yourself to grieve.
Everyone grieves in their unique way and on their own personal timetable. No clock counts down and magically removes the pain and sadness at a particular time. Take the time you need to process your grief over pet loss on your terms.
Talk About it.
Talking about the special times, you shared with your pet can help. Friends and family members who were acquainted with your pet and who, perhaps, share their memories can help you reminisce and remember the good times. If you don’t have someone close to whom you can talk, reach out to one of the many available hotlines.
Say Goodbye.
Holding a special ceremony or ritual can go a long way in offering comfort. You can create a celebration that is as large or as small as you like. Invite friends and family to contribute and participate. You’ll get a chance to say a formal goodbye and celebrate the pet’s life.
>>See Making Pet Funeral Arrangements
Memorialize your pet.
There are many ways you can create a special memorial to your pet. From buying a unique personalized urn for display or having a garden stone made, you are sure to find a way to create a loving way to remember your pet.
>>Visit our Pet Memorial Store
Find healthy ways to handle the pain.
One good way to navigate the difficult journey through grief is to find productive and healthy ways to occupy your mind and body. Activities such as walking and yoga are good examples. Creative activities can also offer a rewarding way to spend time. Visiting with friends and family, reading books you have meant to get to, and offering your time to volunteer are other good alternatives. The point is, do something that makes you happy. Doing these things doesn’t mean you forget your pet; instead, you are honoring their memory by improving your state of mind.
Give yourself a break.
Remember that you are going through a difficult time. You may have been caregiving a pet suffering a prolonged illness or have experienced the shock of sudden death. You may also have had to make difficult decisions. Allow yourself to rest, and don’t be critical of the way you may have handled things. You are human and deserve a break. Give yourself the gift of understanding just as you would for someone else who is navigating the difficult journey through grief.
Help others deal with their grief.
Helping others in your family who are experiencing the grief of pet loss can help you as well. Children, in particular, will need understanding and guidance in dealing with their sadness. Find activities for them to do that allow them to express what they are feeling. If you are holding a ceremony or funeral for your pet, be sure to give them a role in designing the activities.
Get help if you need it.
If you are feeling overwhelmed and having thoughts that may be destructive, reach out for professional help. There are many support groups and help agencies available that offer resources for those experiencing grief over the loss of a pet. Please take advantage of the services they offer. You don’t have to go through this difficult journey alone.

https://www.funeralwise.com/2021/01/04/pet-loss-10-tips-for-coping-with-the-grief/

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Life without a pet

11/28/2021

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Moving on with life and adjusting to the emptyness--both literal and metaphorical--is not something that is easy to do. We have to be gentle with ourselves and allow room to heal the loss of our beloved pet.

I designed Grief Comfort Cards after the tragic and sudden loss of my one year old cat, Wolfgang.

I was devastated and in shock and I knew that if I did not take care of myself and grieve properly, I would not recover my joy.

All of the practices and suggestions came to me in moments of meditation and reflection on what I needed to do to heal.

If you are here, I am sorry that you are suffering the loss of an animal companion. I hope that you find comfort and valuable resources here.

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Tradeshow

New pet after pet loss

two months later...

Getting a new pet?

ten tips for coping with pet loss

Life without a pet

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