Author Archives: Kristi Lehman, MSW, LISW

The Gift of Planning Ahead

Posted on January 29, 2021 by Kristi Lehman, MSW, LISW

There is no doubt that the hardest part of loving a pet is the inevitable goodbye at the end of their beautiful, but far-too-short lives. When faced with the death of a pet, the options and decisions can feel overwhelming … Continue reading →

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Clay Paw Print Alternatives

Posted on March 27, 2020 by Kristi Lehman, MSW, LISW

During the current COVID-19 crisis, MN Pets will continue to take significant precautions during home visits to reduce the potential risk of transmission and exposure. These precautions are crucial in keeping the doctor and her family, you and your family, … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog | 1 Comment

Interactive Quality of Life Assessment

Posted on August 6, 2019 by Kristi Lehman, MSW, LISW

This scale, called the JOURNEYS scale, is designed to help you rate your pet’s quality of life. Each letter stands for a different aspect of quality of life for a pet. This assessment will walk you through each aspect and … Continue reading →

Posted in End-of-life decisions, Quality of Life | 1 Comment

Anticipatory Grief: The Sadness Before the Loss

Posted on May 2, 2019 by Kristi Lehman, MSW, LISW

When we learn that our beloved pet has a terminal illness, or we realize that they are struggling with the changes that old age brings, many of us feel a deep sense of loss or grief even though our pet … Continue reading →

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Coping With Grief During the Holidays

Posted on November 18, 2016 by Kristi Lehman, MSW, LISW

For many people, the holidays are a time spent with our loved ones, celebrating our relationships and togetherness. When you have lost a family member, including a beloved pet, the holidays can magnify your sense of loss. Suddenly, the merriment … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays | 2 Comments

Am I ready for another pet?

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Kristi Lehman, MSW, LISW

The ifs and whens of getting another pet can be complicated and emotional, and no two experiences are exactly alike. While there isn’t necessarily a “right” or “wrong” decision, there are some questions you should ask yourself to help explore … Continue reading →

Posted in Grieving the loss of a pet, Memorializing a pet | 2 Comments

Grief Role-Modeling

Posted on October 14, 2015 by Kristi Lehman, MSW, LISW

For kids of all ages, losing a pet can be a confusing, heartbreaking and scary experience. For many kids, it might even be the first time they have had to grapple with death and grief. But, along with all of the … Continue reading →

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Healing Through Remembering

Posted on August 28, 2015 by Kristi Lehman, MSW, LISW

  If you have ever lost a human family member, you know that funeral services, public announcements, obituaries, visitations or wakes, and many sympathy cards usually follow the death. Often, there is a period of mourning that is acknowledged, respected … Continue reading →

Posted in Grieving the loss of a pet, Memorializing a pet | 4 Comments

9 Ways to Memorialize a Pet

Posted on June 18, 2015 by Kristi Lehman, MSW, LISW

When a beloved companion animal dies, the void they leave behind can feel overwhelming. When their physical presence filled every space in your lap, bed, home and heart, the emptiness you feel after they are gone can be the most … Continue reading →

Posted in Memorializing a pet | 5 Comments

A Place to Start (When You Don’t Know Where to Start)

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Kristi Lehman, MSW, LISW

This decision is not easy.  In fact, the question of whether to help end your pet’s suffering through euthanasia can be one of the most difficult decisions you will ever make. So many factors play a role in whether or … Continue reading →

Posted in End-of-life decisions | Tagged , , | 1 Comment