What you can do?
The grieving process takes time but there are some things you can do that might help.
Write about what you are feeling or talk to someone who will listen.
Create a journal or scrapbook about your pet, either individually or with your family.
Honor the pet with a memorial service.
Buy a special marker or urn for pets grave or cremains.
Create a rock garden with plantings and a garden stone.
Create a memory box with your pet’s special items. For example a photo, special toy, leash or dog tag. Write a poem or story and include it in the box.
Make a donation to the humane society or pet rescue organization in your pet’s name. You can also donate any pet food or treats you have left to a shelter or make a gift bag of supplies for a neighbor pet.
Don’t rush out and buy another pet.
Understand that the grief is very real and you shouldn’t have to apologize for your feelings or be ashamed. We grieve because we love, and no one should be able to rob that love or the need to honor it.
You can post your pet’s photo and a short story at an online pet memorial website like Critters.com. ( Basic service is free)
For The Love of Your Pet
For families, the pet has become an extension of the family unit, providing mutual interest for the entire family. They provide laughs, exercise and the experience of nurturing, love and
companionship.
When a family’s pet dies, there can be overwhelming feelings of pain and loss.
The feelings of loss and grief are very real.
Families should never feel embarrassed or afraid to acknowledge those feelings.
Grief is a physical, social, emotional, psychological and spiritual reaction to loss.
Grief is natural, normal and necessary.
The grieving family can expect to experience any or all of the following:
Tiredness, unable to sleep, or wanting to sleep most of the time,
altered appetite, anxiety, empty or hollow feeling, have a hard time
concentrating.
-Sherry Williams