From a psychologist with twenty years of experience as a pet bereavement specialist, comes the first title to offer cognitive tools and exercises for validating and supporting the particular grief that results from the loss of a pet.
When a pet dies, the vast majority of owners experience significant grief, which is often downplayed by friends, family, and even helping professionals. In this book readers will find validation for their grief, come to understand their human-animal bond, and master solid tools to help them through the grieving process.
Cofounder of San Diego County’s Pet Bereavement Program, author Lorri Greene has been specializing in pet bereavement issues for over twenty years. In this sympathetic new book she teaches that pet bereavement is normal and similar in scope to the loss of an important person. Readers evaluate their level of pet attachment and the intensity of their grief experience using Greene’s Pet Attachment Worksheet (PAW). They then work through their grief with specific bereavement techniques, including memorializing the pet, recognizing problematic thinking, and finding support. Coping skills are provided for any remaining guilt over medical measures taken or not, and euthanizing a pet. Readers who accidentally killed or witnessed the death of their pets learn about post-traumatic stress symptoms, and are offered self-help resources. Additional chapters include easing a child through pet grief, finding support, and pet loss for the elderly and the owners of working animals.
This book really helped for the loss of my pet friend. On Nov 2nd my husband and I put our 15 year old dog, Beaner, to sleep. Beaner was my first dog. I had a tremendous flood of emotions following his passing, and I scoured Amazon looking for a book to help understand/relieve some of what I was feeling.This book was truly wonderful. I specifically remember two things that helped me a great deal. One was sitting down and writing out my memories of Beaner. While it was sad to do this – I remembered so many good things (and humorous) that this was actually quite healing.The second thing was that it helps to have some sort of simple ceremony so that you can feel the release and/or closure of your time with your friend.My husband, who isn’t a huge reader – also picked up this book to find some help. He also found it to be extremely helpful, and was moved to tears with the story of the Rainbow Bridge.I definitly recommend this book to anyone that has experienced a recent loss of their pet…
The perfect book for someone who has lost a pet This is the best pet loss book I have ever seen. Most books on pet loss are somewhat scientific, or they read like a textbook describing grief and bereavement. This book is very different- it not only explains loss and grieving, it has self- help ideas and exercises to help you work through the grief. This book is sweet, thoughtful and poignant, and I would recommend it to anyone going through the sadness of losing a beloved pet.
Comfort Beyond Words This book approaches a very delicate and sad subject with such sincerity, understanding and discernment. Considering that many do not know how to deal with the loss of a pet companion this guides the reader through the various stages of grief, what to expect, what NOT to expect and a variety of other helpful topics.