Best Pet Articles
Search

My Dog Died !

Web Search

Pets provide an unconditional love that requires very little on the part of the human.

Animals are so special to those of us who love them. We miss them when they are no longer with us. We grieve for them in ways which are just the same as grieving for a human loved one.

Whether the end comes through old age, illness, sudden death, or euthanasia, the death of a pet can cause enormous feelings of sorrow, guilt, and loneliness for children and adults alike. Yet pet owners are often inhibited in their very real grief, even if the animal was considered a fully-fledged family member, a child's favoured playmate, or an older person's loyal and faithful companion.

Pet owners in grief are largely misunderstood and can even be ridiculed by friends and by society in general.

Some people don't want a pet because they do die ! It's understandable to be reluctant to expose yourself to death but, at the same time, we become immeasurably more human because our animals die. When we live with animals we're more in tune with the rhythms of the planet from day to night and from season to season because our companions make us more aware of the changes around us. Our companion animals teach us about the simple gifts of a beautiful day, a good meal and a gentle touch.

The death of a pet can make us wrestle with our belief structure - a natural part of the grieving process. Whether grieving an animal or human, we question our beliefs and many people find their belief structure becomes stronger when they ask themselves hard questions. Others find an new way of acceptance.

We use some kind of visualisation during our grieving process, imagining our loved ones in a beautiful place of peace and tranquil beauty, filled with light and flowers. Many of us see out deceased animals in this same place. This can be helpful and can provide some peace for those who are grieving.

And we learn from our animals. Animals aren't afraid to die, they show us that the end of life can be faced without fear. They can teach us to accept death as an opening for love and wonder.

Allow yourself to grieve in whatever way is appropriate for you. The loss of a pet is real grief and causes us to travel through the stages of grief - denial, anger, depression, guilt, and acceptance. These stages must be lived through for the mourning process to allow full healing.

Susanna Duffy is a Civil Celebrant, grief counsellor and mythologist. She creates ceremonies and Rites of Passage for individual and civic functions, and specialises in celebrations for women. http://celebrant.yarralink.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Pets of the Week
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - 12 hours ago
Visit the Utah Animal Adoption Center, 1955 N. Redwood Road, or consult the web at www.utahanimaladoptioncenter.org. For information, call 801-355-PETS.
Pets of the Week Salt Lake Tribune
all 3 news articles


Times Online

A promise to our pets, "They will never be left behind again"
Examiner.com - 6 hours ago
"We felt it was important to honor all the pets that suffered as well as all the volunteers who came and went without any recognition," says Jeff Dorson, ...
Video: Hurricane Gustav Nears, Is New Orleans Ready? AssociatedPress
250 dogs, cats to leave New Orleans before storm St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Hurricane threatens New Orleans, three years after Katrina AFP
Environment News Service - The Associated Press
all 4,179 news articles


Various options exist when pets die
Calgary Herald,  Canada - 17 hours ago
What does a person do with a deceased pet? The first thought was to bury her in the backyard. I expect many Calgary backyards contain the remains of pet ...
Pet restrictions spark lively debate Vernon Morning Star
all 2 news articles


Bill to ban drivers from holding pets is in Gov's hands
The Salinas Californian, CA - 6 hours ago
The Assembly Thursday finished legislative work on Assembly Bill 2233 by Assemblyman Bill Maze, R-Visalia, that would prohibit motorists from holding pets ...


Where Do Pets Go while their Owners are Homeless?
WIBW, KS - 7 hours ago
A new, non-profit organization aims to ease the troubles of pets belonging to people who are temporarily homeless. Pets from the temporarily homeless will ...
Group opens door for Topekans struggling with pet ownership KTKA.com
all 3 news articles


Calling Animal Lovers! SPCA of Texas, Dallas needs donations to ...
CaymanMama.com (press release), TX - 10 hours ago
The already overcrowded shelters in Dallas and McKinney have ceased the admission of owner-surrendered pets in order to accommodate the animals who will be ...
SPCA of Texas in Dallas, McKinney help animals fleeing Hurricane ... Dallas Morning News
all 4 news articles


Animal Shelter goes to the fair
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - 5 hours ago
6 and 7, is welcoming the shelter to share in presenting pets for adoption. This should be a lot of fun for animal lovers, especially for families on the ...
Shot and licensing clinic Quartzsite Times
all 2 news articles


Your pet may want to shed those kilos!
The Times, South Africa - 7 hours ago
CATS and dogs as fat as hogs are getting a chance to be South Africa’s biggest loser — in a pet-slimming competition. This year’s Hill’s Pet Slimmer of the ...


Pets for Adoption
Savannah Morning News, GA - 1 hour ago
The following pets are available from the Humane Society Chatham-Savannah. Applications are available at The Humane Society, 7215 Sallie Mood Drive. ...


Abandoned pets becoming another victim of economy in South Lyon
South Lyon Herald, MI - 19 hours ago
"It would be next to impossible to put enough work into this dog and make her a reliable pet," Ferguson said of the Humane Society, ...

Pets - Google News

home | site map | SubArticle
© 2008