Pet Loss
American
Veterinary Medical Association - Pet Loss
Excellent
section on pet loss and euthanasia. There is a listing of
grief resources for adults and children, as well as phone
numbers for pet loss grief support hotlines.
http://www.avma.org/careforanimals/animatedjourneys/goodbyefriend/goodbye.asp
Association
of Pet Loss and Bereavement
Information on decision making, grief, book
lists, and counseling, including a listing of pet loss hot
lines.
http://www.aplb.org/
Censhare
The Center to Study Human-Animal Relationships and Environments
(Censhare) is dedicated to improving and investigating the
bond between animals and humans. A clearinghouse of information,
including books, newsletters, and videotapes on pet loss.
P.O. Box 734, Mayo Memorial Building
420 Delaware Street, SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612) 624- 5909 (leave message)
Delaware
SPCA Education
The
Delaware SPCA will go to schools, etc., when requested. Scott Vogel, Director of Humane Education covers statewide
requests.
Contact: Scott Vogel at 302-998-2281 SPCA State of Delaware locations:
New Castle County Chapter: 998-2281
Kent County Chapter: 698-3006
Sussex Chapter: 856-6361 or 856-7380
Delta
Society
Resource for information and reference on
grief and pet loss. The Delta Society has a directory of counselors
who specialize in grief from pet loss. They also offer brochures,
videos, bibliographies and other helpful aids.
289 Perimeter Road East
Renton, WA 98055-1329
1-800-869-6898 (voice); 1-800-809-2714 (TDD)
4425-235-1076 (fax)
http://petsforum.com/
The
International Association of Pet Cemeteries - Death of a Family
Pet
This site give information about grief and euthanasia of companion
animals. Also included is advice on choosing a burial site
for your pet, suggestions for planning a burial ceremony and
a list of veterinary colleges that offer pet loss support
services.
http://www.iaopc.com/
Iowa
State University's College of Veterinary Medicine
Pet Loss Hotline
They
offer support package and information about resources. Operates
from 6-9 p.m., Central time.
Call 1-888-478-7574.
Petfriends
A
volunteer-operated support hotline is available at 1-800-404-PETS
or by mail at Box 131, Moorestown, NJ 08057-0131.
Pet
Loss: A Reference to References
Information and links to books, audiotapes, resources, memorial
items, cemeteries and hotlines. Each link is annotated so
you can more easily find what you are looking for. There is
a book reference section that recommends books for adults
and children and even lists one that addresses the grief that
animals feel when they've lost a fellow animal friend.
http://www.superdog.com/
Pet
Loss Support Group, Middletown, Delaware
"A
casual, informal meeting with others who have recently suffered
the loss of a beloved pet. Come talk with others about grief,
guilt, loss and mourning. We understand what you are going
through." Meeting at Middletown Veterinary Hospital,
the first Tuesday of every month 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m..
Call
302-378-2342.
Pet
Loss Grief Support Website
Pet
Loss Grief Support Website is a gentle and compassionate website
for pet lovers who are grieving over the death of a pet or
an ill pet. Here you will find personal support, thoughtful
advice, The Monday Pet Loss Candle Ceremony, Tribute Pages,
healing poetry like Rainbow Bridge & much more.
http://petloss.com/
Referral
Service for Pet Loss
1-800-404-PETS
(7387)
The
Virtual Pet Cemetery
A
popular site where pet owners may literally create a virtual
gravesite for their departed animal companions. Many gravesites
include poems, stories or epitaphs. In addition, they publish
an online newsletter and supports a bookstore solely devoted
to pet-related books.
http://www.mycemetery.com/pet/index.html
Picture and Coloring Books and Books for Children
About the Death of Pets and Other Animals:
Balter, Lawrence. A Funeral for Whiskers
Blackburn, L. B. (1987). Timothy Duck: The Story of the Death of a Friend. Omaha, NE: Centering Corporation.
Brown, L. K., & Brown, M. (1996). When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide to Understanding Death. Boston: Little, Brown.
Brown, M. W. (1958). The Dead Bird. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley. (A picture book that will help a child understand the finality of death through the help of a funeral, a burial and a memorial service.)
Dodge, N. C. (1984). Thumpy's Story: A Story of Love and Grief Shared by Thumpy the Bunny. Springfield, IL: Prairie Lark Press.
Johnson, Joy. Remember Rafferty: Pet Loss for Children
Kantrowitz, M. (1973). When Violet Died. New York: Parents' Magazine Magazine Press.
Morehead, Debby. Special Place for Charlee: A Child's Companion Through Pet Loss
O'Toole, D. (1988). Aarvy Aardvark Finds Hope. Burnsville, NC: Compassion Books.
Rogers, Fred. When a Pet Dies
Rylant, C. (1995). Dog Heaven. New York: Blue Sky Press.
Stickney, D. (1985). Water Bugs and Dragonflies. New York: Pilgrim Press.
Stull, E. G. (1964) My Turtle Died Today. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
Varley, S. (1992). Badger's Parting Gifts. New York: Mulberry Books.
Virost, J. (1971). The Tenth Good Thing about Barney. New York: Atheneum. (A warm and honest story dealing with the death of a loved cat.)
Warburg, S. S. (1969). Growing Time. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. (A young boy experiences various feelings of separation and loss through the death of his dog and the intrusions of a new pet.)
White, E.B. Charlotte's Web
Wilhelm, H. (1985). I'll Always Love You. New York: Crown. (A sweet and touching illustrated story about a boy's dog that dies of old age.)
The above recommendations are from the following sources: Corr, C.A., Nabe, C.M. & Corr, D. M. (2000). Death and dying - Life and living. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thompson Learning and the Montgomery County Humane Society, Inc. and Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.
Other Books
Bless
All Thy Creatures, Lord: Prayers for Animals.
Edited by Richard Newman. Macmillan, 1982. 130 pages
"A one-of -a kind book that offers prayers for animals
(including birds, fish, farm animals, dogs and wild animals).
There are also prayers for people who have lost animal companions,
and prayers for children to say and learn. A touching anthology."
Coping
with the Loss of a Pet
C.M. Lemieux. Wallace R. Clark Publisher, 1988. 50 pages
"A short but helpful book for those who are hurting from
the loss of a pet. Examines the experience of grieving, sadness,
anger and guilt and offers advice on how to cope with these
feelings. Small and light enough to carry with you should
you find that you need words of comfort while at work, or
any place."
Forever
Friends: Resolving Grief After the Loss of a Beloved Animal
by Joan Coleman
A nice combination of fact and feeling from someone who's
been there.
Pet
Loss: A Thoughtful Guide for Adults and Children
Herbert Neiberg and Arlene Fischer. Harper Perennial Library,
1996. 151 pages
"An excellent book that acknowledges the pain felt by
people who have lost animal companions and offers advice on
coping with the anguish. Includes sections on the sudden death
of animals, helping children to deal with their pain,and the
loss of a pet by means other than death."
The
Loss of a Pet
Wallace Sife, Ph.D.
When
Your Pet Dies: How to Cope With Your Feelings by Jamie
Quackenbush and Denise Graveline
The text gives valuable real-life situations from the author's
work at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital
and ends with the story "The Last Will and Testament
of an Extremely Distinguished Dog" by Eugene O'Neill,
a beautiful story.