After over a year in business we have met and worked with hundreds of families navigating the loss of a pet. As with any kind of grief or hardship people process and deal with it in their unique way.
Saying Goodbye
Some families or individuals spend a lot of time in our office saying goodbye to their beloved companion while others can't get out of the door fast enough. Guess what, both are OK. What some families might find comforting, such as sitting with their pet and sharing goodbyes, others find uncomfortable and awkward. The important thing to remember is that this is your journey, nobody else's. At our office we will not judge you in any way on your preferences on saying goodbye.
Spreading Ashes/Burial/Urns
What a person chooses to do with their pet's ashes is also unique to the individual. We have heard plans of spreading or burying ashes in a pet's favorite place or alongside another deceased family member or displaying the pet's ashes at home where they can be seen often. Some people also choose to do a combination of both by spreading their pet's ashes while keeping a small amount in a keepsake urn. We have customers that come to us with a pet and choose to have a group cremation where we spread the ashes. Guess what, they are all beautiful options, and they are all ok. However you choose to honor your pet's memory with their ashes is your choice. We love hearing the unique ideas that pet owners have and we can see the healing process begin.
Getting another pet
Often times we hear "I could never get another pet" as well as "we are going to get another pet very soon." Guess what, that's right, both are OK. This is a topic I have had many conversations with customers about and the best advice I can give is to not worry about making that decision when the wound of grief is fresh. If you are ready to love another pet, go for it. This doesn't mean you didn't love your pet with all of your heart. If you feel like you need time, give yourself time, you may choose to never get another pet. The main point, it's your choice and you don't need to feel guilty, one way or another.
These are just a few of the examples of how families and individuals handle pet loss differently. What I want you to know is that no matter what your grief journey looks like and how you are feeling, you will be ok. I know from personal experience that it doesn't always feel like it and the pain of a loss can be so sharp. The common thread I see with all of the families that we serve is that the gift of memories as well as time passed helps ease the pain. Don't compare your grief to anyone else but remember that your pet was a gift to your life and you are blessed to have had them.
John & Wilson Craik as toddlers with our Dog Gus. We had to say goodbye to Gus in January of 2023.
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