Tag Archives: grief

Ways to Memorialize a Loved One

Determining how to memorialize someone we have lost, whether human or furry family member, is a very personal decision. Like many aspects of grief, there is no right or wrong here – just what feels right for you. It can … Continue reading

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Styles of Grief

There is no right way or wrong way to grieve. Many of us have heard this, yet still, when faced with the death of a loved one, we may wonder whether our experiences are ‘normal’. There is a cultural idea … Continue reading

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Until we meet again

I thought it was “goodbye” when you took your last, soft breath. You’d fought a long, good fight, and it was time to rest. I knew I needed to give you peace, even if it meant relinquishing mine. I knew … Continue reading

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Making Meaning Out of Loss

The death of a beloved pet changes your life forever. As grief scholars Nancy Hooyman and Betty Kramer write in Living Through Loss, losing a loved one – whether animal or human – can challenge some of our deepest-held beliefs, … Continue reading

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The Gift of Planning Ahead

There is no doubt that the hardest part of loving a pet is the inevitable goodbye at the end of their beautiful, but far-too-short lives. When faced with the death of a pet, the options and decisions can feel overwhelming … Continue reading

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The Year of Loss

2020 has been difficult enough. From the covid-19 pandemic, to the historic fires here and on the other side of the world, to extreme social and political unrest, to economic instability, this year feels like it has been filled with … Continue reading

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We’re still here

Our world feels so scary right now. There are so many uncertainties, so many worries, and a constant deluge of terrifying information. We can hardly manage to find a routine amidst the fear and the fog of the unknown. Even … Continue reading

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The Guilt of an Unready Heart

I was talking to my dad recently. He is one of the biggest animal lovers I know. He has had animals his entire life. But he and my mom don’t currently have any pets at all. Our family dog Maddy … Continue reading

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Regrets

  We had to say goodbye to my girl when she was 14. We had her since she was one, and she was every bit a family member as I was. Her name was Maddy, and she was a big, … Continue reading

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Only a dog

A colleague recently shared a story with me, one from her days working in a veterinary clinic. A man had come in during a shift that she worked. He was a big, older guy, burly, wearing overalls. He most likely … Continue reading

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