Grief Resources For Pet Loss

Written by Kate LaSala

Dog Training | Dog Training Regulation | Dogs and Babies and Kids | Fear, Aggression and Reactivity | Pet Loss & Grieving | Rescue Dogs | Separation Anxiety

accreditation, behavioral euthanasia, distance training, dog separation anxiety, enrichment, fear and aggression, fearful dog, grief resources, management, online training, pet grief, pet loss, quality of life, rainbow bridge, remote training, rescue dog, senior dogs, shelter dog

March 28, 2022

 

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.”

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

At Home Euthanasia Vets

Financial Resources For Emergencies

Helping Children with Grief

Helping Animals with Grief

Memorialization & Tributes

Pet Loss Support/Bereavement Counselors & Meetings

Reading/Books/Online Articles

Watching/Listening/Podcasts/Videos/Social Media Accounts

Behavioral Euthanasia

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
Because you will not be forever
Hope against time though I may,
I paint your picture in my memory
Eyes blue with age, muzzle gone gray.

 

Because you walked with me in Springtime,
Puppy-clumsy, running free.
As you grew, we grew together,
You became a part of me.

 

Because you shared with me my sorrows,
Not understanding – simply there,
Often spurring me to laughter,
My friend, you know how much I care.

 

Because the years have slowed your fleetness,
Though your spirit still is strong,
I promise I will take more time now
So that you can go along.

 

Because you do not fear the future
Living only in the now,
I draw strength from your example,
Yet time keeps slipping by somehow.

 

Because the day will soon be coming
When I will no longer see
You rise to greet me – but in memory
You will always walk with me.

 

Love to all the seniors and their caretakers,

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