Telling Your Child About a Pet’s Death

by CJ 21. December 2011 09:00
It can be very hard for parents to break the news of the death of a pet to their child. A pet’s death is often the first major loss that a child experiences, so it’s only natural for parents to want to cushion the blow for them as much as possible. Some struggle with whether or not to tell the child was has really happened, thinking that perhaps it would be better to provide some other explanation for why their pet is no longer around.

However, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychology recommends being open and honest with children about the death of a pet. You might want to save your child pain now by hiding the truth. But providing vague or untruthful answers can lead to feelings of anxiety, confusion and mistrust later.

Of course, there are still ways for you as a parent to cushion your child when you tell them about your pet’s death. You don’t need to make your explanations long or complex. Simply love your child through the experience. Pick a familiar, comfortable setting for your conversation. Tell them the news gently, with a soothing voice and manner. Put a loving arm around them.

Once you’ve told them the bad news, answer their questions simply, honestly and in words that they will easily understand. Give them a chance to talk about their feelings without shame, and share your own feelings. Let them know that it is normal for them to miss their pet and experience grief. Make sure that they know they should come to you with any questions they have later.  

Once you’ve broken the news, you should allow your child to grieve in his or her own way. This could mean holding a burial ceremony for your pet, helping to choose or make a pet memorial, drawing pictures or writing stories and poetry.

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You Are Not Overreacting To The Loss Of Your Pet

by CJ 29. July 2011 10:39

If you are visiting this website, it is most likely because you have lost a pet recently, or you are about to lose one.  You are going through one of the hardest moments of your life, and it’s understandably hard to cope with.  You are probably asking yourself a lot of questions, and not getting any answers.  The important fact to remember right now is that everything is going to be okay, and that you are going to get through this.

One of the questions you may be asking yourself is “Why does it hurt so much?  It was just a pet.”  The truth is, a pet is as much a part of your family as the rest of your family.  Yes, your pet was an animal and not a human.  Therefore, it is hard for others and yourself to understand the way the searing pain of loss is reaching your heart and affecting your life.

It is crucial to remind yourself that your pet was probably there for you many times when no one else was.  Pets are the most forgiving creatures on the planet, and they are truly loyal to you.  Your pet was a constant part of your life, day in and day out.  Whether you or others want to admit it or not, your pet was a significant part of your life.  Thus it will not be easy to get over, nor will you be able to get over it quickly.

The best thing you can do right now is accept these facts to be true.  Repeat to yourself daily that it is okay to feel grief because you just lost an important member of your family.  If others don’t understand your feelings, that’s not your concern.  You don’t have to judge yourself based on their opinions.  Remember, everything will be healed in due time.

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Everyone Needs Support

by CJ 21. July 2011 09:14

 

When you suffer the loss of a pet, it is always a really hard time.  One of the worst things you can do is suffer through the loss alone.  Suffering amplifies all of your emotions, and loneliness plays a huge role in those emotions.  When you are alone, you don't have anyone to step in and encourage you or relate with you.  You are left to your own devices, and the results of that could be disastrous. 

This is why pet loss support groups exist.  They are a lot of people who have been through exactly what you have been through.  They loved their pet just as much as you did, and they miss them just as much as you do.  It may be hard to believe that, but it is true.  People who have suffered the loss of a pet will be able to understand what you are going through.  They can help you deal with your emotions.

Pet loss support groups exist all around the country, so it should not be too hard to find one.  Look for one online that is close to you, and at least try it out.  This could be a great opportunity for you to make some new friends, and talk in a safe place about your struggle with losing your pet.  Give yourself a break from the loneliness, and try this out for at least a month.  You may find that it’s the best, and most healthy, choice you made during this time of pain.  

 

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Dealing With Emotions From Losing a Pet

by CJ 23. June 2011 08:07

Losing a pet is no easy matter.  Many people will judge a person for grieving over the loss of a pet for more than a couple days, but that is probably because they don't have a lot of experience with loss.  The loss of a pet can be just as intense as the loss of a person for the owner of the pet.  If you have ever lost a pet, you've probably experienced an array of emotions for the loss of your pet.  Anger, guilt, denial, and depression are the most popular emotions that are felt among pet owners when they lose a pet.  

The emotions you feel for the loss of your pet will greatly depend on many different factors such as your personality, upbringing, the type of relationship or attachment to your pet, and your cultural or religious beliefs.  Some other important factors are how the pet died.  If your pet died due to old age, you may not grieve as intensely or as long as you would if your pet died suddenly before his/her time.  Regardless of the circumstances of your pets death, there is grief that has to be dealth with.

The first step is to acknowledge the loss of your pet, and acknowledge the emotions you feel due to that loss.  The are many ways to accomplish this taks.  You can cry, call a friend a talk about it, or write it down in a journal.  Express everything your feeling, and leave nothing unsaid.  To deny or repress your feelings would be to devalue the important role your pet played in your life.  It is okay if your grief lasts a few days, or even a few weeks.  Let yourself feel those emotions.

It is important to remember something about experience the loss of a pet; you will never get over the loss.  However, you will get something even better, peace.  Peace is what you need to move on.  Peace is what your heart truly needs.  There is no need to forget your pet.  You want to honor them and remember them through the peace you have in your heart.  Peace will come as you healthily deal with your emotions.

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The Loss Of A Pet

by CJ 9. June 2011 11:28

Losing a pet is heartbreaking.  I think everyone who has ever lost a pet knows that it's like losing a member of your family.  There are no words to describe the feeling of the loss that you feel. I have lost four pets in my life thus far, and each one of them has been just as sad as the last.  I don't know if you can ever fully get over the loss of a beloved pet, but I do think that memoralizing them in some way helps with the grieving process. 

It is always a dilemma on what we should do to memorialize our lost pet.  There are not a lot of resources out there for people who are experiencing the loss of a pet.  That factor is a significant reason why Best Friend Services was created.  No one who has just lost a pet wants to spend hours on the internet looking for cremation services, urns, memorial plaques, etc.  

What is the perfect way to honor a lost friend?  Is it just simply burying them in the back yard?  I think the more appropriate way to honor your pet is through memoralizing them in some fashion.  That's why I love pet urns.  Best Friend Services actually offers pet urns that look like garden stones that you can put in your garden.  You should honor your pet in whatever you feel comfortable with, and pet urns are a great option.  Let us help you through this difficult time of grieving a friend so that you can turn your pet's loss into pet memories.  


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Memorials for a Lifetime

Best Friend Services was founded in 2003 in order to help people grieving the loss of a pet. Dealing with the stress of losing a pet doesn't need to be compounded by having to research pet urns or the cremation process.

Keep the memories of your best friend alive with one of our hand-selected pet urns, pet memorials or burial markers. With cat urns, dog urns, and pet memorials of all kinds, we are sure you will find the perfect way to remember the special relationship you shared with your pet.

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