Pet Bereavement
Little has been known about pet bereavement until recently and therefore it is not surprising that so many people find the pain and confusion of their loss so disturbing. This is often made worse by the total lack of understanding from those who believe the loss means nothing and the fact that we live in a society where thinking or speaking about death is passionately avoided.
The grief felt by the loss of a pet is unique. The bonding between owner and pet often involves a more private and personal side of our nature than we would entrust to a human. Their dependency upon us leads to our relying heavily on their need. When eventually they die, as they must, the shock and grief becomes a very personal affair that we may be unable to share with others.
The ritual of cremation or burial can be an important part of the healing process and acceptance of your loss. It is therefore important that you are sure your wishes are carried out correctly and with dignity and in this the members of our Association are able to help.
If you would like more help then you may find the following books useful.
Losing A Pet by Jane Matthews .
NEW FOR 2008. Very helpful book that offers practical guidance, emotional support and reassurance to grieving pet owners.
Goodbye Dear Friend by Virginia Ironside,
Robson Books Ltd, Bolsover House, 5-6 Clipstone Street, London, W1P 7EB
Pet Loss and Support for Bereaved Owners by Jill Nicholson,
The Society for Companion Animal Studies, 10B Leny Road, Callander, FK17 8BA
The Loss of a Pet by Wallace Sife, Ph.D.
Hovell Book House, Macmillian, USA
Coping with Sorrow on the loss of your pet by Maria Anderson, M.ED.
Alpine Publications, PO Box 7027, Lordard, CO 80537, USA
Missing My Pet by Alex Lambert (aged 8).
Excellent book that helps to explain pet loss to children.
The Pet Bereavement Support Service (PBSS) is dedicated to offering support and understanding to bereaved pet owners through a national network of trained volunteer telephone and email befrienders, all of whom are ready to help. All calls and emails are treated confidentially.
The service is run by The Blue Cross in conjunction with SCAS (The Society for Companion Animal Studies). It is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and adopts its code of ethics. The service is also a member of the Telephone Helpline Association, and is supported by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association.
| www.aplb.org | The site for The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement |
| www.petloss.com | A site full of tributes and featuring a Monday night candle ceremony across the world. |
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