Paw Prints
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A blog by the friendly folks at Midland Humane Coalition
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A friend of my owner’s came to visit our home last week. She was very sad and upset because her dog had died. That right there was enough to make her sad and upset, but she was also upset because someone had said to her, “the dog was old; it was for the best.” “For the best?” I can’t think of one good thing about losing me. My owner’s friend went on to say that another person had advised her to “pull herself together” since, after all, it was just a dog. “Just a dog?” What does that mean? I wondered. My owner buys me toys and special treats. She trims my nails and brushes my teeth. I ride in the car and sleep in her bed. She tells me every day how much she loves me. I’m special! Anyone who says that I am “just a dog” is barking up the wrong tree in my backyard. But this did get me thinking about when a pet dies. What should my owner do when I go to the Rainbow Bridge? She will miss me terribly. I am her family. Together, we read some books and talked to other people. We came up with some ideas that may help get past those initial weeks when grief is so severe on to days of happy memories of the life shared with someone special, someone like me —Wheels Wheels died unexpectedly on August 1, 2018 and his loss was overwhelming to his owner.
Remember, it is okay to cry and to grieve for a lost pet. Unlike many relationships, you have spent every day with a pet and cared for them as you would a child. Loosing them is life-changing. During this initial period, try to surround yourself with family and friends who share a love of animals and sympathize with your sadness. Avoid sharing your loss with those who do not understand the relationship between people and pets. Although they have no intention of being callous, they simply may be unable to relate to your pain. Often memorializing the pet brings comfort. One person shared that she keeps all pet’s collars and hangs them on the Christmas tree each year as a reminder of the special bond they shared. Some people plant trees or flowers. Others install yard art or statues in the back yard where the animal played and sunned. For children who have no understanding of death itself, the loss can be frightening as well as heartbreaking. Corinne Demas, author of “Saying Good-bye to Lulu,” said “I’ve found that writing about loss is one of the best ways to begin the healing process. Many children have shown me their own stories and poems about pets and people whom they’ve lost. Others have expressed themselves through art, while some children take comfort in simply sharing their feelings with a sensitive listener.” She added that if children are very young, writing stories and drawing pictures is a project the family can do together. If you have a friend or loved one who has lost a pet, here are some tips you might keep in mind:
There are a number of books available that deal with losing a pet. Some are written for pet owners of any age, while others especially for children. If you have children and pets, having one or two of the following books on hand may be a good idea: “Dog Heaven” by Cynthia Rylant “I’ll Always Love You” by Hans Wilheim “Paw Prints in the Sky” by Warren Hanson “Saying Good-bye to Lulu” by Corinne Demas “The Tenth Good Thing About Barney” by Judith Viorst People and their pets form a very strong bond. The joy they bring to our lives is all that can make up for the sorrow of losing them. 
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WelcomeHello! Welcome to our blog, pet lovers! We hope to share some helpful information regarding pet care, health and wellness here. Stay tuned for updates! Archives
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