LookoutFor many pet owners, nothing is more difficult than saying our final good-byes to our faithful, four-legged family members. From making hard decisions regarding end-of-life care, to surviving the days, weeks, and months ahead, the death of a pet can be difficult for even the most stoic of hearts to overcome.

Many pet owners don’t realize that the grieving process is just as real, and can often take just as much time, for the loss of an animal companion as it is for a human companion. This is, in part, because most people don’t take the time to truly celebrate their pet’s life as they would for a personal friend.

But taking the time to honor your pet’s life and the time you shared together is an important part of grieving. And while it’s not always necessary to have a full-scale funeral for your pet (although you could, if you wanted too), there are many ways you can pay tribute to your pet when the time is right for you.

Honoring Your Pet

Honoring your pet’s life doesn’t have to be a formal event, or a catered affair. The best remembrances are ones that will have a lasting and real impact on you and your family, and that will help you gain a sense of closure on that chapter of your life.

Here are a few ideas:

  • Plant a memorial garden in honor of your pet full of pet-friendly plants, such as catnip, pet grasses, peppermint, rosemary, milk thistle, and Astragalus. Be sure to keep a bowl of fresh water in your garden as an oasis to other animals in your community.
  • Create a photo album or scrapbook of your pet’s life, including any picture of your pet that your children have drawn, or other remembrances. Look at it whenever you’re feeling blue, or even when you’re not.
  • Write an obituary for your pet and share it on our Pet Memorial Wall and keep it with your keepsakes for years to come.
  • Host a dinner party with your family and friends, and even their pets. Share favorite stories, serve a few of your pet’s favorite people foods, and celebrate your pet’s life with love and laughter.
  • Take a walk with your pet’s memory to a favorite spot and just sit awhile
  • Make a donation to a pet-friendly charity
  • Volunteer at a local animal shelter
  • Send a sympathy card to someone else you know who has lost a pet

    • Regardless of how you celebrate your pet’s life, just be sure that you so. And then, when the time is right, head down to our local animal shelter and adopt a new furry friend into your heart and let your new pet nuzzle the last of your pain away. Because sometimes, the best way to heal a broken heart is to let new life into it – especially when by doing so, you are saving another life as well.

    If you have any other questions about pet loss, we encourage you to explore our Pet Loss Library, or call us directly. If we cannot help you, we can recommend someone that will. And again, we are so sorry for your loss.

     

    Recent Posts

    What Music Do Cats Like?

    Senior Dog Urinating in the House:
    Causes, Solutions, and Management

    Why Do Dogs Chase Their Tails?

    Cat Head Butts: The Meaning Behind This Feline Gesture

    Why Do Dogs Like Belly Rubs?

    About Us

    We know that choosing the right veterinarian for your pet (and you) can be a challenge. Yet, with our stress-free handling, our long-term, experienced staff, and a state-of-the-art facility, we make the decision an easy one!