How To Say Goodbye To Beloved Pets

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If you are a family who loves animals and has them as pets, you are indeed blessed. Besides service seeing-eye dogs, dogs that detect seizures before they happen, and working dogs that serve our community, a family pet serves in a different way. Studies show that people who have pets have stronger heart, get sick less often than people who don't have them, and make fewer visits to the doctor. In addition, pet owners don't get depressed as often as others do. They bring families social support and pure joy. No wonder you considered your pet as part of the family. If your beloved pet has died, your entire family is probably grieving. Here are some things that might help you to get through this difficult time.

Address The Death - This is a time when tears are healthy and when children can express their feelings in different ways.

  • If you have children, it is often helpful to let them draw and color pictures of themselves at play with their pet.
  • Consider getting all of the pictures you have taken of your pet, both alone and with family members. Make a collage that can be framed and placed in a place of distinction in your home. In addition, give each of your children a framed picture to keep forever. Let each child tell a memory of what that picture represents.
  • Think about compiling a little scrapbook, not only of pictures, but one that will include a letter that each of the children will write in memory of the pet. Let the children read their letters, too, as if they are addressing your pet personally.

Have A Funeral - Part of closure is getting to say goodbye. 

  • If you can, take your deceased pet's body to the countryside where it can be buried in a lovely place. Otherwise, consider taking the pet to a pet cemetery. 
  • Again, let each person say whatever is in his or her heart, expressing love and remembering funny times spent together. Perhaps one person could actually give a talk about your pet, bringing up your life together since the dog was a puppy until today.
  • Consider buying a small granite headstone that is designed especially for pets. They are affordable and can be engraved with anything you desire. Besides your pet's name and dates that you brought it home, and the death date, consider adding words that are meaningful to your family. Maybe each member could come up with one word that describes your pet. Some suggestions are Loving, Devoted, and even Funny. For more information, contact Genesis Granite or a similar company.

​Best wishes as you say goodbye to your beloved pet.

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17 June 2015

Writing an Obituary: Do's and Don'ts

Following the death of my grandfather, I found myself in the awkward position of having to write the obituary. I wanted to capture the spirit of him and list everything he was proud of in his life, including his family and work accomplishments. However, at the same time, I knew that I had a limited amount of space to work with. After spending hours researching obituaries, I finally felt confident in my skills and proceeded to write my grandfather's. In my opinion, it was perfect. Writing an obituary while you are grieving your loss is challenging, but I hope that my website helps you write one for your loved one that helps capture who they were as a person.