Pet Grief Suggestions and Resources

Many of the following resources are local to the Delaware Valley region. 
Please link to the suggested websites for more resources in your area.

Suggestions for Coping

• Cry. If you suppress your feelings, it will only delay the healing process.
• Talk about your feelings with a compassionate friend or family member.
• If your grief is intense, take some time off from work (if possible).
• Remember the things your pet did that made you laugh or smile.
• Write down what you are experiencing in a journal.
• Hold some sort of private service for your pet.
• Read a pet grief book.
• Light a candle for your pet.
• Pray. Your animal is listening.

Memorialize Your Pet

• Buy a grave marker or special urn for your pet.
• Write a story about your pet.
• Create a collage, photo album, or scrapbook of your pet.
• Save something that belonged to your pet: collar, hair clipping, toy.
• Write a farewell letter to your pet.
• Plant a tree for your pet.
• Volunteer your time to an animal charity.
• Make a donation to a charity in your pet’s honor.

There are many hotlines available throughout the country.  800-404-PETS is both toll-free as well as 24 hours a day.  They will provide a listening ear, someone for you to talk to.  Petloss.com also lists several hotlines.

Pet Grief Counselors

Linda Peterson
West Chester, PA
(610) 399-3168

Kathleen Dunn
University of Pennsylvania
School of Veterinary Medicine
(215) 898-4529 

Pet Grief Support Group

Chandler Funeral Home offers a monthly Pet Grief Support Group in Wilmington, Delaware
(302) 478-7100

Pet Grief Websites

There are many pet grief websites available, including:

Homeopathic Grief Remedies

Ronni Yaskin can provide custom flower essences tailored to your grief needs.
(302) 529-7882

Pet Funeral Services

Talley Brown, Minister
Pet Funeral Services and Last Rites
(302) 998-7067

Pet Urns

If you choose cremation for your pet, there are many choices available with pet motifs:

www.perpetualurns.com
www.perfectpeturn.com
www.foreverpets.com
www.ashestoashes.com

Delaware Pet Crematory

Delaware Pet Cremations
(302) 656-5737
Transportation service available.

The Loss of a Pet: A guide to coping with the grieving process when a pet dies
by Wallace Sife, Ph.D.

Surviving the Heartbreak of Choosing Death for Your Pet
by Linda Peterson

The Final Farewell –Preparing for and Mourning the Loss of Your Pet
by Martha Tousley

The Rainbow Bridge

There is a bridge connecting heaven and earth.
It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors.
Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge there is a land of meadows, hills, and valleys with lush green grass.

When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place.
There is always food, water, and warm spring weather.
The old and frail animals are young and happy again.
Those who were maimed are made whole 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 friend.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together,
Never again to be separated…

-----Author Unknown