What if I told you that, in time, the pain will go away? That, years from now, you will look fondly on the good memories of your pet without your heart breaking? Well, it’s not only possible; it’s true. According to popular psychology, there is a process of grieving that most people go through when dealing with a loss. Understanding this process will help you see the light at the end of the tunnel of grief. The theory of coping with death was developed by Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and is easily recognized by the acronym DABDA: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance. Briefly, each stage of coping is described below:

1. Denial -- “There’s no way this could be happening to me."
2. Anger -- "Why me? I don’t deserve this.”
3. Bargaining -- “Maybe if I tried this new medication or procedure, he wouldn’t die.”
4. Depression -- “I don’t know how to deal with this. I’m just so sad.”
5. Acceptance -- “It will be okay. I can accept this.”

When grieving a loss of a pet (or any other loved one), it’s important to know that emotions like anger and denial are normal and that, although you may always miss your best friend, you will one day be able to move on. If your emotions seem too much to handle on your own, don’t feel bad about seeking help, either from friends or from a professional. You can also consider letting Best Friend Services help you choose the best pet memorial for your dog, cat or other pet. When you’ve moved through the grieving process, you’ll be thankful you’ve chosen to memorialize your loved one in such a special way. Having a physical remembrance in place for your pet can help you to find closure to the grieving process.

You may be prepared for the loss of your own pet, but what about your friends and family? Do they have a plan in place? Often times, when faced with the impending death of a loved one, people forget to ask some of the questions that should seem obvious: Will the pet be buried or cremated? How will we tell the kids? Will we hold a service? So, when a friend experiences a loss, there are plenty of ways you can help soften the blow and take care of some of the details for them. Some ideas for how you can help:

• Arrange a casual gathering to share memories of and stories about the family pet. Plan it at a comfortable place with familiar friends and good food.
• Create a photo album of pet photos as a gift for your friend. If you can make it a surprise, it might be even more special to them.
• Bring your friend a homemade meal on their first day without their pet to give them a day off. Offer to eat the meal with them--they may want company. (Or they may not! Always ask first.)
• Help them choose a way to commemorate their pet in a more permanent way with a memorial plaque or urn. Best Friend Services offers various options for the perfect gift. But, if you can't decide which product is best, one safe bet is a Best Friends Services gift certificate.

No matter how you choose to help your friend mourn their loss, remember that being present and available to help is the best thing you can do. The rest will fall into place.