Losing a beloved dog is always hard, but it can be even more heartbreaking during the holiday season.

But while we as humans put a lot of value in specific dates and times, our dogs do not. Your dog will not mind if you celebrate a favorite holiday with him a few weeks early because his health is failing – after all, every day spent with you is a holiday to him.

You are not alone if you have had to say goodbye to a dear pet during the holiday season. The short, cold days take their toll on sick and elderly dogs, and the bustle of the holidays can be stressful. Money may also not be as plentiful as other times between heating bills and gift giving.

Allow yourself the time you need to grieve, but also give yourself permission to enjoy the parts of the holidays that you enjoy. Share memories of your dog with close friends and family, and consider a thoughtful remembrance gift if a loved one has lost his or her pet.

Links & Resources Mentioned in Today’s Show: 

Dog Cancer Support Group

How to Be There for Your Dog at the End with Lori Levine

The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity by Dr. Demian Dressler and Dr. Susan Ettinger

Custom Pet Oil Paintings

Related Links:

Holiday and Winter Toxins from the Pet Poison Helpline

Lap of Love In-Home Euthanasia

About Today’s Guest, Molly Jacobson:

Molly Jacobson is a writer. She is also the editor of the best-selling animal health book The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. A lifelong dog lover and self-professed health nerd, she is all too familiar with dog cancer. She has been supporting readers of Dr. Dressler’s website and book since the beginning. Molly earned a BA from Tufts University, and after a career in bookselling and book publishing attended The Swedish Institute to become a licensed massage therapist in New York State.

About Today’s Guest, Kate Basedow, LVT: 

Kate Basedow grew up training and showing dogs, and her passion for canines has affected all parts of her life. She earned a BA in English from Cornell University and an AAS in Veterinary Science from SUNY Delhi, and is a licensed veterinary technician in the state of New York. Her writing on dog-related topics has earned numerous awards from the Dog Writers’ Association of America and the Alliance of Purebred Dog Writers. Kate currently serves and adores two Belgian Tervuren and a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

Other Links:

If you would like to ask a dog cancer related question for one of our expert veterinarians to answer on a future Q&A episode, call our Listener Line at 808-868-3200.

Dog Cancer News is a free weekly newsletter that contains useful information designed to help your dog with cancer. To sign up, please visit DogCancerNews.com

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