Multi-colored Acrylic - Standard compliment y bracelet As a lifelong crafter looking for a new art project, and I had a vision that combined my two passions: Art & Pet Loss Walking out of my veterinarian's office with an empty leash and collar was one of the hardest moments of my life. While there is nothing that can ease this pain, I wanted to do something to provide the tiniest gesture of support, so I started making pet remembrance bracelets for veterinary offices to offer

Screenshot - Adopt-a-Pet Historically, self-rehoming has been viewed as irresponsible and even dangerous, but times are changing, and today, it’s part of the solution  when done responsibly. Let me be very clear, though: Self-rehoming will not be appropriate in every situation, but when the circumstances align, shelters are educating owners about safe and responsible self-rehoming strategies, and it’s been a major game-changer. But here’s my frustration: While on one side of

Photo by Amy Mc Historically, self-rehoming has been viewed as irresponsible and even dangerous, but times are changing, and today, it’s becoming part of the solution  when done responsibly. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that the first question many shelters are asking when an owner reaches out to surrender their pet is whether they can keep the pet in their care while they look for a new home. (Okay, the first thing we ask is whether there is anything we can help

Author visiting her dog in the hospital. Circa Jan 2018 I was never mentally prepared for my dog, Tovi’s, death. It was something that honestly didn't cross my mind as a thing that would happen. Sure, I intellectually knew he wouldn't live forever, but I never actually imagined a life without him, so when he died, I was utterly unprepared for That Life. When Tovi was twelve years old, I recall being struck by an article I came across while mindlessly scrolling on social media

Ms. Roxy Capris (Photo courtesy of proud dad, Barry Starr) After your pet leaves your life — no matter what the circumstances — there is a high likelihood you are experiencing some level of guilt or regret. That’s just how we humans operate. As pet parents, it's on us to make hard decisions, and when the outcome isn’t what we had hoped, we tend to feel a sense of over- responsibility for the loss. We have a way of turning inward and blaming ourselves for things we never had t

There is a distinct type of grief that comes with not having the idyllic relationship you assumed would come with pet ownership. When you don’t feel that “connection,” it’s normal to feel a sense of disappointment and mourning for what you expected pet parenting to look like. This is a real struggle for many pet owners, and it’s only reinforced when we see only perfectly behaved, adorable pets portrayed in popular media. I liken it to body shaming for humans, and it’s a setup

Photo by Natasha Cara Animal rescue is exhausting, to put it mildly. We encounter situations that make us question humanity, and it takes a heavy emotional toll to see pets discarded like an outfit that has gone out of style. Pet overpopulation is at crisis levels, and healthy animals are being euthanized simply because there isn’t enough space to house them. I understand why people are angry and quick to judge those who surrender their pets, but somewhere along the way, the

"Ethel" Photo taken by a "high-kill" shelter in LA before a MD rescue pulled her Contrary to popular belief, there is no idyllic oasis on a remote farm that rescues every hard-to-place animal and invites them to live out the rest of their days frolicking around a picturesque field. And as blissful as it may sound to have an infinite number of these magical fields, it’s not logistically possible, and, realistically, it probably wouldn’t be safe. Over the years I’ve worked in a

The Facebook post that led me to Fred (he sounds like an angel, right)? You might be surprised to know there is a phenomenon known as the “puppy blues.” It refers to feelings of depression, anxiety, or overwhelm while adjusting to life as a pet parent. You went into pet ownership assuming it would be pure bliss, but it’s turning out to be a nightmare (or at least a really bad dream you can’t wake up from). The thing is, these “blues” can arise anytime a new pet is introduced

So many “what-ifs.” So many “I shouldn’t haves.” So many wishes for do-overs. "Charter" Photo by Scarlett Blackiston If I had a superpower, it would be the ability to rewind time in two distinct ways. The first would be the ability to travel through a time machine and visit the different versions of myself I’ve tried on at any given time. I would savor ordinary moments spent with people who are no longer in my life, whether through death, breakups, or friends who were only me

Photo by Jenny Combs I started writing in March 2018, two months after Tovi died, and it has taken me over seven years to be done. I...

Photo courtesy of The Senior Dog Sanctuary of Maryland It is heartbreaking to hear stories of pets losing their homes and families and...

Photo by Author "Pet Bereavement Box" When I am in the presence of a person grieving the loss of their beloved pet, I suddenly forget everything I know about grief and find myself at a loss for words. Like really stumbling on my words. Being a witness to big emotions feels uncomfortable and awkward. Yes, I’m referring to myself here— someone whose life is devoted to studying pet loss. In the company of someone else’s grief, I feel helpless, so naturally, I put an insane amoun

Photo by author After my dog died, I cried all of the time. I didn't just cry; I wore my tears as a badge of honor. I took pride in the...

Photo by Erin Scott When Sharla set out to get a dog, she assumed he would lie beside her on the couch, run along the beach, sit underneath an outdoor table at Starbucks while she worked, and hop into the car for a ride to the dog park. This is what we see on TV, right? We’re surrounded by images of face-licking, tail-wagging, running off into the distance to catch a ball off-leash dogs. I call it the “Hallmark Dog Syndrome” and liken it to body shaming toward humans — only t

People often ask my advice on when to bring a new pet into their lives after losing their beloved companion. A little housekeeping before getting started… There are many ways to acquire a pet, but for simplicity, I use the term adopt to describe the process of bringing a new pet into your life. When I refer to “losing a pet,” I am referring not only to loss by death, but also literally losing your pet. The latter adds an additional layer to this decision because there is no

Photo by Erin Scott of Believe in Dog Podcast When it comes to pet loss, pet parents often have to make hard decisions on behalf of their...

Millie - photo by Elizabeth Weiner It started as the typical rebound relationship. I had been there before, so I should have recognized...

Photo by Author Millie died one year ago, and I am only now in a place to write about her. I intended to do so for some time but was too...

Processing pet loss through writing and the precautions we should take “Tovi,” Photo by Jenni Combs When I sit down to write about Tovi,...