Animal Care Services
Pet Loss
Pet loss and the grief process
Because pet lives are much shorter than ours, we must anticipate that time when we will be faced with the death of a cherished pet. Grieving is a personal experience, but the loss most pet lovers experience is as painful as losing any family member. It can be especially difficult for children.
While those who do not have pets may not understand the extent of your grief and may not know how to help you, there are resources available to you that can help you cope and guide you through helping your children cope with the loss of a pet.
Below are websites and support lines That may help you. You may also talk to your pediatrician for suggestions on how to help your child.
Euthanasia
When is it time?
Your relationship with your pet is very special, and decisions regarding their health can be extremely difficult if the prognosis is poor. You may be faced with deciding whether an illness or injury is beyond treatment. Euthanasia is a hard decision, but ultimately the final decision rests with you.
Guidelines to consider when trying to make this decision:
- Is he eating and drinking normal amounts?
- Is he sleeping comfortably and still reasonably active for his age?
- Is he interacting with family members?
- Does he have reasonable control of urine and bowel movements?
- Is his pain limited or well-managed?
- Does he have the potential to recover?
- Does he have more good days than bad days?
Final Appointment
If you are considering euthanasia, you are welcome to call the office to discuss the decision, the options for aftercare, and the scheduling procedure.
Burial Options
There are several options for final burial plans.
- You can bury him at home (if permitted in your area).
- Common burial or a private burial with one of the local pet cemetery services.
- Group cremation or private cremation with the ashes returned.
Dealing with pet loss:
- [email protected]
- petmemorialwebsite.com
- Ohio State University Grief Line (614) 292 – 1823
- Cornell University Grief Line (607) 253 – 3932
- Michigan State University Grief Line (517) 432 – 2696
The Rainbow Bridge
When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water and warm spring weather. The old and frail animals are young again. They play all day with each other.
There is only one thing missing. They are not with their special person who loved them on Earth. So, each day they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly stops playing and looks up! The nose twitches! The ears are up! The eyes are staring! And this one suddenly runs from the group!
You have been seen, and when you and your special friend meet, you take him or her in your arms and embrace. Your face is kissed again and again and again, and you look once more into the eyes of your trusting pet.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.
~ Author Unknown
Gods gift
My Gift To Jesus
I wish someone had given little Jesus a dog
as loyal and loving as mine
to sleep by His manger and gaze in His eyes
and adore Him for being divine.
As Our Lord grew to manhood, His own faithful dog
would have followed Him all through the day
while He preached to the crowds and made the sick
well and knelt in the Garden to pray.
It is sad to remember that Christ went away
to face death alone and apart
with no tender dog following close behind
to comfort its Master’s heart.
And when Jesus rose on this Easter morn,
how happy He would have been
as His dog kissed His hand and barked in delight
for the One who died for all men.
Well, the Lord has a dog now; I just sent Him mine,
the old pal so dear to me.
And I smile through my tears on this first day
alone knowing they’re in eternity.
~ Jane L. Sears