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....love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation - Kablil Gibran Dedicated to Zoë - a life too short but filled with love
"If my tears could build a stairway The human-companion animal bond is very powerful as anyone who has ever owned a pet knows. Pets play a significant part in our lives; provide companionship and entertainment, bring us much joy, love us unconditionally, and in some cases, they are even our best friends. They have an uncanny sense of human emotion; they know when we are sad, hurting or depressed and do everything they can to try and comfort us. They listen to what we have to say and do not condemn us for being wrong. Unfortunately, their life span is much shorter than that ours, and during our lifetime it is possible that we will lose more than one pet. Just as our love for them is real, so is the grief we feel upon their loss. Everyone experiences grief at one time or another; it is our body's normal response to any important loss we may experience. The death of a beloved pet whether expected or not, is devastating, both physically and emotionally. It is not uncommon to go through the same feelings of grief as one would for the loss of a human companion, and while some people heal quickly, we must realize that others do not, especially if the pet was someone's only companion. Not everyone will appreciate your sense of loss. It is important not to suppress these feelings of grief, for in order to heal ourselves, we must allow ourselves time to grieve. And yes, it's okay to cry. Saying goodbye to a treasured pet is one of the hardest things to do, and when we are faced with making the decision of letting go, we experience many different emotions. We torment ourselves with questions such as "Did I make the right decision?", "Was there more I could have done?" Those of us who have lost cherished pets understand all too well the pain and anguish you are going through. Within these pages, I hope you will find valuable information on such things as making the decision to euthanize, the grief process, how to help children cope, and resources which will help you understand, find internal peace and heal. And when your grief becomes too much to bear, remember - someday we will all be united with our loved ones at the Rainbow Bridge. Use the drop down menu or click on the "Next" icon to continue
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