Whether you recently experienced the passing of a pet or are having trouble letting go after some time has passed, The Heaven at Home team has resources that may help you through this difficult time. Books can be an invaluable part of your support system, and we’ve curated a few below that we feel will really help a pet parent navigate the loss.
Pet Loss: Thoughtful Guide for Adults and Children,
By Herbert A. Nieburg and Arlene Fischer, Harper & Row, 1982
Pet owners are often inhibited in their very real grief, even if the animal was considered a full-fledged family member, a child’s favored playmate, or an elderly person’s faithful companion. In Pet Loss, the authors acknowledge and encourage such grief, and assert that pet owners must learn to cope with the death of an animal as they would with any significant loss. At once a practical guide and emotional support, this book offers unique advice for owners faced with an animal’s passing.
When Your Pet Dies: How to Cope With Your Feelings
By James E. Quackenbush and D. Graveline, Simon and Schuster, 1985
The nation’s first full-time pet-bereavement counselor and the editor of “Pet Care Report” examine the emotions experienced by individuals and families who lose their pets.
Coping With Sorrow On The Loss of Your Pet
By Moira Anderson, M.Ed, Alpine Blue Ribbon Books, 1996
Coping with Sorrow on the Loss of Your Pet is a compassionate, comprehensive guide to help you deal with the heartbreaking pain of losing a beloved animal companion. It shows you that you’re not alone, or crazy, or “over-reacting” to your loss, by calling upon the experiences and advice of dozens of pet owners like yourself. You’ll find words of comfort, understanding, and strategies to help you heal in this time-honored book.
The Grief Recovery Handbook for Pet Loss
By Russell Friedman, Cole James, and John W. James, Taylor Trade Publishing, 2014
If you’ve found yourself almost inconsolable after your pet died, please know that you’re normal. If you’ve found that your family and friends don’t seem to understand the level of your grief, please know that, too, is normal.
Without comparing our relationships with our pets to those with people, we know that, because of the unique emotional relationships we have with our pets, their deaths produce a level of pain that is difficult to describe. If you relate to any or all of these sentences, this book is for you.
West Michigan Pet Loss Support Group:
Do you need help navigating your own grief? Ginny Mikita hosts the West Michigan Pet Loss Support group here at Heaven at Home the second Tuesday of each month, 6:30 – 8 p.m. If you or someone you love would benefit from a grief support group, please feel free to join us by contacting Ginny Mikita at 616.460.0373 by noon on the day of the Group. Learn more here.