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Category Archives: Grieving the loss of a pet
12 Days of Christmas: Grief and Self-Care
The holiday season is upon us, and many of us have traditions that we keep alive during the winter months. Whether it be gathering with family and friends, a treasured recipe for comfort food, or quiet nights by the fire … Continue reading
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Healing Through Remembering
If you have ever lost a human family member, you know that funeral services, public announcements, obituaries, visitations or wakes, and many sympathy cards usually follow the death. Often, there is a period of mourning that is acknowledged, respected … Continue reading
On losing a friend
Chuck was a kitten that I had brought home to foster while working at a local humane society. He was a small, wobbling grey and white cotton ball with legs. His clumsiness was as endearing as his giant blue eyes, … Continue reading
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The First Rule of Grief: There Are No Rules of Grief
Most of us are aware of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’ “five stages of grief”: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Very often I hear clients say things like “it’s been over a month and I still can’t believe she is gone”, or … Continue reading
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Memorial Walk to Honor Your Pet’s Memory
A few months ago, during the coldest, gloomiest days of winter, someone had mentioned to me the idea of taking a memorial walk to remember and celebrate the life of a pet you’ve said goodbye to. The idea has been … Continue reading
How to Pack for an Unexpected Guilt Trip
At our monthly grief support group, I have the privilege to listen to people’s stories and hear what they are experiencing during their grief process. Last month, I noticed a common thread between the stories – the presence of a … Continue reading
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Ways People Grieve Part II – Families
Grieving Styles We all have our own unique way of expressing and working with grief – our own style. In Ways People Grieve Part I, I’ve described how “instrumental” grievers experience grief primarily through thinking and doing, and how “intuitive” … Continue reading
Ways People Grieve Part I – The Myth of Men and Grief
It is a common expression of concern for men to hear that “it’s important to express your feelings about this loss.” The prevailing conventional “wisdom” is that men do not necessarily grieve well… that they could be better at expressing … Continue reading
Caring for the Caregiver
In many helping professions, we are taught to remember “the oxygen mask.” This common phrase refers to the rule of thumb of which flight attendants remind us — you must first apply your mask and attend to your well-being before … Continue reading
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Permission to Grieve, Part II (Permission to Heal)
In addition to giving yourself permission to grieve, it’s just as essential to give yourself permission to heal. That may sound obvious – isn’t healing the point? Healing and changing is part of the grieving process, but the moments in … Continue reading
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