Updated 8/2023: I am now a certified end-of-life companion animal doula. You can read more about my service offerings here.
I’ve written before about how I share my life with two senior dogs. Mr. Barbo and BooBoo are both 13 and since October, they’ve both struggled with some serious medical issues, prompting me to face the reality that, as our vet says, “they didn’t get the memo they’re supposed to live forever.” (Edit 4/10/24: Barbo and BooBoo have both since passed since the original writing of this post, but I am leaving it as is, but with this edit.)
Recently BooBoo, the whole reason I’m a trainer, had an unexpected, serious reaction to a new medication while caused her liver values to be off the charts. She spent a week not eating, vomiting, going to the ER, having fluids, anti-nausea meds and an ultrasound. Luckily she bounced back and we’re monitoring her now. But this, on top of Barbo’s hospitalization and cancer removal at the end of 2021 got me thinking about dealing with their loss, when it happens.
Please, bookmark this post for when you need it. I hope you don’t need it any time soon, but when you do, come back here. And, be sure to share this post with friends who need it now.
Navigating Quality of Life Decisions
- Making Decisions When Your Companion Animal Is Sick
- Euthanasia Considerations
- When Is It Time For Hospice Care?
- Considering Your Pet’s Quality of Life In The Midst Of Disease
- Pawspice Quality Of Life Scale
At Home Euthanasia Vets
- Lap of Love
- Pet Loss At Home
- In Home Vets Directory (including euthanasia, palliative and hospice care)
Financial Resources For Emergencies
Helping Children with Grief
- The Invisible Leash: The Invisible String Story About The Loss of a Pet
- Helping Children With Pet Loss
- When A Pet Dies
- Chuckie Says Goodbye: A Story About Pet Loss
- Cat Heaven
- Dog Heaven
- Mr. Rogers: Death of a Goldfish
- 6 Family Friendly Ways To Help Kids Grieve After Pet Loss
Helping Animals with Grief
- How Animals Grieve (book)
- Dogs May Mourn The Loss Of Other Household Pets
- How Animals Grieve (Colorado State)
Memorialization & Tributes
- The Tilly Project – End-of-Life Pet Photography
- Sugarberry Memorials Cremation Jewelry (this is where my BooBoo and Bandit ring came from)
- Custom felted mini (about 5″ tall)
- Close By Me Cremation Jewelry
- Custom Memorial Art Print (from your photo)
- Glass Memorial Urn (for ashes or fur)
- FurGift (nose print)
- Personalized Wind Chime
- Custom Sun Catcher
- Personalized River Rock
- Pet Collar Frame
- Custom Felted Portrait (can include fur you send)
- Cuddle Clones
- My Petsies
- My Pet Replica
- Visiting The Dog Chapel at Dog Mountain
- Personalized Hourglass with cremation ashes
- Donation in your pet’s name to the animal charity of your choice
- Doing an annual fundraiser on your animal’s birthday or gotcha day for an animal charity
- Photo or video slideshow
- Tattoo (can even include cremation ashes in the ink with some artists)
- Altar/Shrine in a special place in your home
- Candle that you light on special days (adoption day, birthday, death day, etc.)
- Plant a tree (can include ashes in the hole as fertilizer)
- Setting up a bird feeding area in your yard
- Hanging wind chimes and remembering your animal when they ring
- Painting, drawing or other craft
- Scrapbook
- Journaling/Poetry
- Writing the story of you and your animal’s relationship/remembrance journal
Pet Loss Support/Bereavement Counselors & Meetings
- Kate LaSala, Certified Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula
- Angela Shook, Pet Loss Grief Specialist
- Dakin Humane Society’s Pet Loss & Healing Support Group (led by Ken Dolan – Del Vecchio, author The Pet Loss Companion)
- Beth Bigler, Honoring Our Animals
- Anne Cattarello
- Leigh Ann Gerk
- Lap of Love Pet Loss Support Community (Facebook)
- Human Animal Bond Trust Support Group (via Zoom)
- Pet Loss Support Hotline (Tufts Vet School)
- Association For Pet Loss and Bereavement
- Argus
- Pet Loss Support – EASE Animals
- In The Comfort Of Home
- Pet Counselors By State
- Pet Loss Support Groups By State
Reading/Books/Online Articles
- I Heard Your Dog Died
- It’s OK That You’re Not OK
- Bearing The Unbearable: Love, Loss and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief
- The Other Family Doctor: A Veterinarian Explores What Animals Can Teach Us About Love, Life, and Mortality
- Find Me There
- Mattie, Milo, and Me: A Memoir
- The Blue Leash: A Year of Mourning
- Dog Songs
- Cat Heaven
- Dog Heaven
- Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom For Anyone Who Has Ever Lost A Pet
- Only Gone From Your Sight
- Losing My Best Friend
- Four Steps To Take After Experiencing Pet Loss
- Going Home: Finding Peace When Pets Die
- How To Survive The Loss Of A Pet: Comforting Tools and Practices to Embrace Your Grief and Heal Your Broken Heart (audiobook)
- The Pet Loss Companion: Healing Advice from Family Therapists Who Lead Pet Loss Groups
- I Wasn’t Ready to Say Goodbye: Surviving, Coping and Healing After the Sudden Death of a Loved One (A Compassionate Grief Recovery Book)
- He Was My Heart Pet
- Grieving The Loss Of A Pet
- Moving Forward After The Loss Of A Pet
- Ending Your Pet’s Life Was the Right Decision. So Why Do You Feel So Guilty?
Watching/Listening/Podcasts/Videos/Social Media Accounts
- Pet Loss Psychologist (Instagram)
- Honoring Our Animals (Instagram)
- Refuge In Grief (Instagram)
- The Parameter Foundation
- Pet Loss Grief, the pain explained TedTalk by Sarah Hoggan DVM
- Healing Pet Loss Podcast
- When Your Fur Person Dies
- How To Say Goodbye To Your Pets
- As I Live and Grieve: Pet Loss
- The Pet Loss Companion (YouTube or Podcast)
- Without Words (song)
Behavioral Euthanasia
- Rescued By Training consult for those considering rehoming, surrendering or behavioral euthanasia
- Losing Lulu – Making The Behavioral Euthanasia Decision Webinar
- Losing Lulu (Facebook group specifically for behavioral euthanasia support. You must answer the screening questions to be admitted membership.)
- Behavioral Euthanasia: Forgiving Yourself For Not Walking On Water
- Behavioral Euthanasia with Dr. Chris Pachel
- When Bonnie Came Home
I am not a therapist but I’ve had clients ask me for guidance in these tough times and decisions. If you are struggling, I’d love to help you. You can schedule a session here.
Lastly, I’ll leave you with this poem (get the tissues):
Walk With An Old Dog by Gayl Jokiel
Love to all the seniors and their caretakers,