Pets Information

My Dog Died !


Pets provide an unconditional love that requires very little on the part of the human.

Animals are so special to those of us who love them. We miss them when they are no longer with us. We grieve for them in ways which are just the same as grieving for a human loved one.

Whether the end comes through old age, illness, sudden death, or euthanasia, the death of a pet can cause enormous feelings of sorrow, guilt, and loneliness for children and adults alike. Yet pet owners are often inhibited in their very real grief, even if the animal was considered a fully-fledged family member, a child's favoured playmate, or an older person's loyal and faithful companion.

Pet owners in grief are largely misunderstood and can even be ridiculed by friends and by society in general.

Some people don't want a pet because they do die ! It's understandable to be reluctant to expose yourself to death but, at the same time, we become immeasurably more human because our animals die. When we live with animals we're more in tune with the rhythms of the planet from day to night and from season to season because our companions make us more aware of the changes around us. Our companion animals teach us about the simple gifts of a beautiful day, a good meal and a gentle touch.

The death of a pet can make us wrestle with our belief structure - a natural part of the grieving process. Whether grieving an animal or human, we question our beliefs and many people find their belief structure becomes stronger when they ask themselves hard questions. Others find an new way of acceptance.

We use some kind of visualisation during our grieving process, imagining our loved ones in a beautiful place of peace and tranquil beauty, filled with light and flowers. Many of us see out deceased animals in this same place. This can be helpful and can provide some peace for those who are grieving.

And we learn from our animals. Animals aren't afraid to die, they show us that the end of life can be faced without fear. They can teach us to accept death as an opening for love and wonder.

Allow yourself to grieve in whatever way is appropriate for you. The loss of a pet is real grief and causes us to travel through the stages of grief - denial, anger, depression, guilt, and acceptance. These stages must be lived through for the mourning process to allow full healing.

Susanna Duffy is a Civil Celebrant, grief counsellor and mythologist. She creates ceremonies and Rites of Passage for individual and civic functions, and specialises in celebrations for women. http://celebrant.yarralink.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Telegraph.co.uk

In pictures: Blue Peter pets
BBC News
Pets have always been a big part of the show. In 1969, Barney the Parrot (right) was part of the team, alongside Jason the cat and dogs Petra and Patch. ...
Mabel retires from Blue PeterDream Dogs (blog)

all 17 news articles »


USA Today

No hungry dogs: New pantry to help people afford pets
USA Today
The Associated Press reports dozens of pet owners lined up over the weekend at the Cincinnati Food Pantry to receive a two weeks' supply of pet food, ...
Grants for Teachers Who Have or Would Like to Have Small Pets in Their ClassroomsI-Newswire.com (press release)
Pantry helps pet ownersMansfield News Journal

all 21 news articles »


Seattle Post Intelligencer (blog)

PET OHANA Some birds make better pets than others
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
By Hawaiian Humane Society QUESTION: My daughter wants a pet bird. Does the Humane Society have a recommendation on what kind? ...
Watauga Humane Society in Dire Need of Food for PantryGo Blue Ridge (blog)
Pet Project: Wacky idea: Get a catSan Antonio Express
Cat Food Needed!Seattle Post Intelligencer (blog)
Winnipeg Free Press -Honolulu Star-Bulletin
all 7 news articles »


Pet Owners Face Danger From Above
FOXNews (blog)
Most pet owners take steps to protect their animals. In Santa Rosa, California, Odessa Gunn worried a car or coyote might one day claim the lives of her ...

and more »


KOMO News

Some Nature's Variety pet foods recalled
UPI.com
LINCOLN, Neb., March 9 (UPI) -- Nature's Variety Inc. says it's recalling its chicken formula raw frozen diets for dogs and cats because the pet food might ...
Nature's Variety Expands Nationwide Voluntary Recall to Include All Raw Frozen ...PR Newswire (press release)
Nature's Variety Recall ExpandedAbout - News & Issues (blog)
Manufacturer Expands Pet Food RecallABC News
Seattle Post Intelligencer (blog)
all 301 news articles »


Not a fish tale! Pet pacu Buttkiss is 43 years old
msnbc.com
NEW YORK - It sounds awfully fishy, but a New York City pet shop owner swears it's the truth. Buttkiss, the black pacu he owns, is 43 years old and weighs ...

and more »


WebMD, veterinarians group start online pet-health forum
OregonLive.com
The American Veterinary Medical Association and the people-health Web site WebMD launched an online pet-health community this week. ...
AVMA reports: more female vets than maleSan Francisco Chronicle (blog)

all 6 news articles »


The Hindu

Dangerous pet dogs focus 'should be on owners'
Animal Friends Pet Insurance
The RSPCA is calling for owners of pet dogs to be punishable for the irresponsible behaviour of their pets rather than tarnishing individual breeds for the ...
Furious Dog Owners in UK Fight Microchips for 'Weapon' PetsFOXNews
Minding Manners for Pets: Proper dog park etiquetteCalgary Herald
South Essex dog lovers back dangerous pets crackdownEssex Echo
Basil & Spice -The Associated Press -Prfire (press release)
all 428 news articles »


Elgin toughens pet law, won't target pit bulls
The Courier News
Owners of dangerous and/or vicious dogs would have to put signs up by their residences, warning others about their pets. The new rules also give police more ...
Elgin Removes Proposed Pit Bull BanChicagoNow (blog)
'Dangerous dog' rules amount to breed banTribune Review
Pit bulls raise red flag; some seek stricter rules for breedSan Bernardino Sun
Independent -Fox40
all 29 news articles »


Washington Post

Animal Shelter Pet of the Week: Meet Cowboy
Seattle Post Intelligencer (blog)
Unfortunately, the tough economy has affected the well being of many pets as well. The Catahoula is a homegrown American breed. ...
Shelters in need of pet foodABC Action News
Viewpoint: Animal Shelter sees return of distemperPensacola News Journal
Prince George's County Animal WatchWashington Post
Waynesville Smoky Mountain News -The Detroit News -The Record-Courier
all 21 news articles »

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