Category Archives: Reflections

Gifts of Grief

As people grieve for their lost best friends, it is easy to immediately remember the pain, agony, and physical fatigue involved in experiencing pet loss. We will always remember and cherish our loved one’s beautiful compassionate gaze, blissful kisses, and … Continue reading

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Grieving Through the Years After Pet Loss

No words can truly describe the broken pain and agony we feel when our beloved best friends pass away, whether just moments ago or even years later. We each share a special loving bond together with our pets unlike any … Continue reading

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Taking Care of our Physical Selves During Grief

Losing a pet can leave us with such emotional heartache and physical pain that a heavy weight starts to envelop our heart, spirit, and body. This can also deeply impact our daily routine and self-care. As we struggle to endure, … Continue reading

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Part 2: The Act of Dying: What to Expect

The process of dying is a natural one, much like the act of giving birth. The body prepares itself for the event, sometimes months in advance. In Part 2 of this blog series, I will share with you what I … Continue reading

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Part 1: When Euthanasia is Not an Option

What does the ideal scenario look like for you when it comes time to say goodbye to your pet? Does it involve one last trip to the vet that has been there for you since their first puppy visit? Or … Continue reading

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Until we meet again

I thought it was “goodbye” when you took your last, soft breath. You’d fought a long, good fight, and it was time to rest. I knew I needed to give you peace, even if it meant relinquishing mine. I knew … Continue reading

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Making Meaning Out of Loss

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

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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We’re still here

Our world feels so scary right now. There are so many uncertainties, so many worries, and a constant deluge of terrifying information. We can hardly manage to find a routine amidst the fear and the fog of the unknown. Even … Continue reading

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Pets teaching us about love

  What does love look like? A dozen roses? A box of chocolates? Diamonds? Maybe. But I think it can also look a bit….furrier. Maybe slobbery. And it barks, or purrs. Or both. And maybe it covers your clothing in … Continue reading

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