Tag Archives: grief

Coping with the Grief of Pet Loss

A pair of hands holds a pair of paws
Recently, one of my friend’s dogs developed cancer. Although I am not her veterinarian, she and I had a long talk about the grim prognosis and the treatment options. A few weeks later, after her beloved dog had crossed the Rainbow Bridge, I overheard a mutual friend, who is not a pet person, saying something

Honoring the Memory of Your Pet

The loss of pet can be emotionally wrenching. Pets that support you through critical life milestones such as marriage and the birth of a child, a serious illness, or the death of a close family member are especially difficult losses. Grieving comes in many forms as does the celebration and remembrance of a pet’s life. Over the years

Your Child and the Loss of a Pet: Answers to Tough Questions

In my last blog I wrote about children and pet loss based on a presentation given at The Animal Medical Center by Dr. David Schonfeld, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician. I recently posed some frequently asked questions about pet loss to him; here’s what he had to say. Q: I just found out our 15-year-old family cat

Children and the Loss of a Pet

A child with a pet
Last week I received a telephone call from one of my clients. She realized the time had come for her 17-year-old dog to be euthanized. She had not previously euthanized a pet and we had a long discussion about the logistics related to timing, the procedure itself, and the options of cremation and burial. All

Making Difficult Decisions for Your Pet

close up of cat looking into camera
Making certain decisions for your pet can be pretty simple. Yes, I give heartworm medication every month, because the drug is effective and much safer than treating my dog for heartworms. Yes, I know spaying my dog prevents mammary gland cancer and unwanted puppies. Yes, I keep my cat indoors to protect against cat fights,