Category Archives: Grieving the loss of a pet

Ways to Memorialize a Loved One

Posted on August 9, 2021 by Liz Casey

Determining how to memorialize someone we have lost, whether human or furry family member, is a very personal decision. Like many aspects of grief, there is no right or wrong here – just what feels right for you. It can … Continue reading →

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Styles of Grief

Posted on May 22, 2021 by Liz Casey

There is no right way or wrong way to grieve. Many of us have heard this, yet still, when faced with the death of a loved one, we may wonder whether our experiences are ‘normal’. There is a cultural idea … Continue reading →

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Supporting Older Adults – Part 2

Posted on April 9, 2021 by Liz Casey

Strategies for Supporting Older Adults Experiencing Loss In this two-part blog post, we began by exploring what factors can influence how seniors experience pet loss relative to other groups of people. This week, we end by outlining ways to support … Continue reading →

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Supporting Older Adults – Part 1

Posted on April 1, 2021 by Liz Casey

Loss is experienced differently by everyone. However, we know that some factors tend to impact certain groups of people in specific ways. Older adults, or those who are age 65 and up, make up a group that shows some common … Continue reading →

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Making Meaning Out of Loss

Posted on February 3, 2021 by Liz Casey

The death of a beloved pet changes your life forever. As grief scholars Nancy Hooyman and Betty Kramer write in Living Through Loss, losing a loved one – whether animal or human – can challenge some of our deepest-held beliefs, … Continue reading →

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The Year of Loss

Posted on December 16, 2020 by Chelsea Zellner

2020 has been difficult enough. From the covid-19 pandemic, to the historic fires here and on the other side of the world, to extreme social and political unrest, to economic instability, this year feels like it has been filled with … Continue reading →

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Local Resources

Posted on August 20, 2020 by Admin

We recognize that companion animals play an important role in all of our lives, and that they are an especially important source of support when we are experiencing other life challenges. The loss of a pet can bring up complex … Continue reading →

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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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What life is like now

Posted on February 28, 2017 by Lindsay Niemi

When your pet dies, everything changes. Your morning routine, your shopping lists, the space in your bed. The void that creeps into your life and the hole you can’t seem to fill in your heart is your new normal. When will … 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 →

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