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For the Record
 
Pet Owner Information: Bereavement

BEREAVEMENT

 

 

10 TIPS FOR COPING WITH PET GRIEF

 
  1. Understand you have the right to grieve. You have lost your companion, best friend, someone who gave you unconditional love.
  1. Focus on the grief and forget the anger and guilt.
  1. Allow yourself to go through the stages of reaction to death: denial, anger, depression, acceptance.
  1. Have some type of ceremony to say good-bye.
  1. Make a memorial for your pet, from various items and photos.
  1. Write a good-bye describing how much you cared, the good times you shared, and happiness together.
  1. When the pain becomes overwhelming, focus on the good memories to distract yourself.
  1. At first put the pet's belongings out of sight, so there isn't a constant reminder. Over a period of time, gradually bring them out again.
  1. Change your daily routine. Example: If you and your pet ate dinner every night at 7:00 p.m., go for a walk or talk on the phone at that time.
  1. Imagine what your pet would like you to be feeling right now...and feel that way.
 

Special thanks to Diane Kelley, Ph.D. - Psychotherapy and Counseling of Los Angeles and Manhattan Beach, California, (310) 559-3164, for providing this important information.

 
 

HOT LINE FOR GRIEVING PET OWNERS

 

The death of a pet can be one of the most difficult times in an animal owner's life. Your private veterinarian can provide needed support in making the difficult decisions concerning sick, injured or elderly pets. Reports have shown that a second pet already in the home may help the family members ease the acute feelings of losing a pet. Students at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis have established a Veterinary Family Practice and Pet Loss Support Hotline pet owners can call for additional support. The telephone number to the Pet Loss Support Hotline is (530) 752-4200 (Note: There is a charge per minute for this call.) The hotline is open from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time) Monday through Friday. If you would like to commemorate your loved ones, while helping our animal friends please visit our special page "In Honor or Memory Of" and "Rainbow Bridge."