There are very distinct, yet overlapping, phases of grief.  We go through the stages in various orders and in varying degrees on the road to recovering from any loss.  If we lose a jacket at the ballpark, we may go through all the stages in a few minutes.  If the jacket was one that was given to us by our brother on our birthday, it may take much more time.

If the animal was a family pet and stayed outside, it may not hit us as hard as if he were our own companion and greeted us each night when we came in the door.  If your pet was a companion and best friend, the mourning will be a deep one.

1. Shock/Denial/Numbness.  We can not believe this has happened to us.  Our body and emotions numb themselves against the pain.  The mind denies the loss.  Often we will say things like "This can't be true."  One of the valid reasos for memorials and funerals is to acknowledge that death did take place. 

2. Fear/AngerDepression.  After the numbness wears off and we are once again able to feel, then all of our repressed feelings come roaring back.  Sometimes these feeling ared not rational at first and can seedk someone to blame, either an outsider or ourselves.  "I can't share how sad I am about my dog, because my co-workers will think I am crazy."  "But, on the other hand, I inquire about their child's cold and buy their stupid Girl Scout cookies to support them.  It isn't fair!"  "Oh God, please don't let me start crying at work again.  I heard someone call me a drama queen and say; It's only a dog, not a child." 

3. Understanding/Acceptance/Moving on.  

4. New Hurts May Trigger Old Wounds.

“Is Life Worth Living Without Labs?” is a book I have published that tells the stories of my two current Labrador retrievers, Francesca and Jazz Whacker. If you have, had, or love Labs, or are a general dog lover, you may enjoy my stories. It is available in paperback print or E-READER versions. To order, contact www.lulu.com/shop‎,  Barnes and Noble, or other book sellers.  Go to their bookstore and search the book title as above.

“The joy of hunting was beyond accounting, once I was old enough to be trusted … with my father’s old shotgun. I loved to bring birds down, to take quick aim at mallards, pintails, teal … and feel the twelve-gauge bounce against my battered shoulder …  ”A.B. Guthrie Jr., The Blue Hen’s Chick: A Life in Context, 1965

BS Degree–Wildlife Management South Dakota State University-1963:       MS Degree–Wildlife Management University of Maine-1965.

Senior Waterfowl Biologist, Tennessee Fish and Game Commission, Nashville- 1966-1971.    Wildlife Biologist, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, St Louis District-1971-1978.    Endangered Species Project Leader/Biologist, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Boise-1978-1991.     Endangered Species Program Manager/Assistant Manager, USDA Forest Service, Washington DC & Ogden, Utah-1991-1996.     National Grizzly Bear Habitat Coordinator, USDA Forest Service, Missoula-1996-2001 (Retired).

Volunteer- Sage-grouse Lek counts, National Wildlife Federation, 

“Is Life Worth Living Without Labs?” is a book I have published that tells the stories of my two current Labrador retrievers, Francesca and Jazz Whacker. If you have, had, or love Labs, or are a general dog lover, you may enjoy my stories. It is available in paperback print or E-READER versions. To order, contact www.lulu.com/shop‎,  Barnes and Noble, or other book sellers.  Go to their bookstore and search the book title as above.

Today is the last show for the miniseries How to Deal With the Death of a Beloved pet.  The following topics will be addressed during todays show:

Gaining resiliencyMindfulness, meditationsClear mind, caring heartWhat are your inner resourcesVolunteer and give serviceAsking for and being open to supportWhen to get a new petGratitude journal

This is the final week of this miniseries.  If you have found this information helpful or wish to know more go to www.deathofmypet.com for more info

If you have a story that you wish to share send it to Judy at [email protected] with PET STORY in the subject line.

Todays show will be on helping the hurting and what can be done to help others.  The following topics will be discussed:

Pet loss and childrenPet loss and the elderlyService and companion animalsExpressing sympathy to othersMemorial options, tributes & rituals to rememberHow sharing stories helps us heal

Death is a tough subject to explain especially to children.  Judy Helm Wright can help parents explain the death of a family pet to a child.  This is week five of 6 of the series How to Deal with the Loss of a Beloved Pet.  Be sure to continue listening for more useful insights on How to Deal with the Loss of a Beloved Pet.

If you have a story you would like to share send it to [email protected] with PET STORY in the subject line.

This weeks show will be on the grieving process.  The following topics will be discussed:

Denial

Anger 

Bargaining

Depression

Acceptance

Dealing with a loss of a pet is just like losing a family member or loved one.  Each person may experience the stages in a different way and thats okay.  With the help of Judy Helm Wright, certified pet grief counselor, she can set you on the path to healing.  This is week 3 of the 6 week series so be sure to continue tuning in and learning How to Deal with the Loss of a Beloved Pet.

If you have a story that you wish to share send it to [email protected] with PET STORY in the subject line.

This weeks show will discuss how to cope and let go after the death of a beloved pet.  The topics that will be touched on are:

Expected life span of different species

Anticipatory grief- how to handle the impending loss of a pet

The biological description of death

Transition into the comfort zone

Having a beloved pet euthanized

Relationship of unconditional love

Letting go of a pet can be difficult and painful.  Coming to terms with the loss is a journey and can take some time.  Judy Helm Wright can help you with the loss of your pet and put you on the path to healing.  This is part of a 6 week series on How to Deal with the Loss of a Beloved Pet.  Be sure to tune in and learn more.

If you would like to share a story about your beloved pet contact Judy at [email protected] with PET STORY in the subject line

This weeks show will discuss the connection that animals and humans have for one another.  The topics that will be discussed are :

Why people love pets

How a pet chooses us

What pets can teach us

Connecting with your pet

Clues and Cues of communication

Relationship of unconditional love

Losing a pet is like losing a member of the family and addressing the loss can be difficult.  Grief is a process, not an event.  Be gentle with yourself during this journey.  This is part of a 6 week course so be sure to tune every week for more on How to Deal With the Loss of a Beloved Pet taught by Judy Helm Wright, certified pet grief counselor.  

If you have a story of a beloved pet that you wish to share contact Judy at [email protected] with PET STORY in subject line.

That always stayed with me, and when I created BioUrn4Pets, I found that it not only provides a loving, living memorial to a beloved family member, but it does so in a way that is good for our planet as well.   www.BioUrn4Pets.com

The story behind BioUrn4Pets My name is Lisa Brambilla, I am a pet lover, cancer survivor, wife, mother and

entrepreneur who found herself (like many pet lovers and baby boomers) with a growing "collection" of urns from past pets and relatives who had gone to heaven. My Father-in-Law (who was in hospice) shared his end of life choices with us, which included having his ashes divided into 8 small handmade boxes, and entrusted to each of his family members.  I spoke to my fellow pet lovers and learned that I was not alone as many of us have this "collection" on their mantles too! I saw an opportunity.

I spoke with my Father-in-Law and asked him if he would like to have us scatter his ashes in the forest, among the redwoods, to which he responded; "I always wanted to be a Forest Ranger, so with this plan of yours.... I'd be a tree!" This was a defining moment, and it was at that very moment I saw the vision that became BioUrn. I created BioUrn® as a green solution for a generation of earth conscious consumers who are looking for a way to pay tribute to their loved ones while being kind to our planet. BioUrn is good for our planet, for our pets and for the people who love them!

About Pet Therapy

A hand reaches out, a wagging tail approaches, and an elderly face breaks into a smile. It's a scene that's increasingly common in the Helena Valley, thanks to volunteers from the Helena Chapter of Intermountain Therapy Animals. Activity directors and health care professionals report that visiting pets reach nursing home residents, hospital patients, retirement home residents and adult day care participants in ways that other therapeutic activities can't.

The contact may be brief, but it brightens the entire day or week, especially for those who have had pets in the past. In some cases, an animal's visit is transforming. Shy, withdrawn, or depressed people find themselves in animated conversation, angry people relax, and those with memory lapses share detailed recollections of pets they lived with years before. Visiting pets have reached autistic children, stroke victims, Alzheimer's patients, and other "unreachables." Even when nothing dramatic happens, pet visits are important changes of pace for facility residents, bringing excitement, affection, comfort, physical contact and joy.

In addition, to providing companionship (called Animal Assisted Activity), visiting pets sometimes participate in a facility's therapy program. In Animal Assisted Therapy, a dog might stand while a patient brushes him order to exercise specific arm muscles, or a cat might visit a depressed patient to encourage conversation, or someone in speech therapy might give commands to a dog that does tricks or retrieves objects. Anyone who loves animals is likely to work harder and feel more motivated when one is part of the therapy team.