Pet Loss and Animal Communication: Suggested Resources

[Reviewed and updated April 6, 2023]

Source

. . . when we love animals and want to honor and effectively communicate with them, we must relate to them not only via their physical bodies and observable behavior, but also beyond biology and behavior--to acknowledge and communicate with them at the level of their souls. ~ Teresa Whalen

A reader writes: I am in therapy, and one of the things that I discovered in my sessions is that as much as I miss my cat on a daily basis, what hurts me the most and continues to haunt me is her untimely and totally unexpected death. She was just TOO young and I feel it was so unfair that she was cheated out of her life. Even today, I continue to worry about her and wonder if she is okay. Upon my therapist's suggestion, I have tried to repeat to myself that wherever she is (?) that she is okay, but I find that easier to believe some days than other days. I just so want to believe/KNOW that she is alright. And although I want to do some kind of memorial, I am not ready. Just writing this has brought new tears and I know that looking at her pictures still has the same effect.

Caregiving and Hospice, July 19 - July 25, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Chemotherapy may worsen end-of-life quality, study finds, http://j.mp/1GNK45F « The Seattle Times

Still Caring, http://j.mp/1MNFI3H « Musings of a Distractible Mind

End-of-life chemotherapy: Does it do more harm than good? http://j.mp/1MrN5kf « CBS News

Understanding and Managing Grief, July 19 - July 25, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Touching! Child Loss: Falling In Autumn, http://j.mp/1GOaggw « The Grief Toolbox

SHOULD YOU BE OVER THIS BY NOW? http://j.mp/1HQcM9M «The Grief Toolbox

Coping with Anxiety While Grieving, http://j.mp/1JlAflH « VITAS Healthcare

Coping with Pet Loss, July 19 - July 25, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Living with an Actively Dying Dog, http://j.mp/1InP7PK « Nancy Tanner

Putting Maggie Down, http://j.mp/1KgbKVH « Healing Doc

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below.
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On Dating A Widower: Is This Unresolved Grief?

[Reviewed and updated March 16, 2022]

He that conceals his grief finds no remedy for it.  ~ Turkish Proverb

A reader writes: I am currently dating a widower who feels the need to publish a picture of his ex-wife in the local newspaper twice a year, on her birthday and date of death. He has been doing this for five years. We have been dating for four-and-a half-years. My husband died suddenly of a heart attack just a month after my companion’s wife died following a two-year battle with colon cancer. At this point, I’m not sure how I am tolerating these very public displays of grief. I have been told that such public displays of mourning are indications of unresolved grief/guilt. My sense is that this is true, which causes me concern not only for my health and that of the man I am dating but for our relationship as well.

Caregiving and Hospice, July 12 - July 18, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

The Error in 'There's Nothing More We Can Do,' http://j.mp/1M5ZFED « The New York Times

Why palliative care is essential for 'A Beautiful Death,' http://j.mp/1CGI4AS « Anne Elizabeth Denny

Caregiving: What Comes Next After 'How Are You Doing?' http://j.mp/1HEWptC «
US News

Understanding and Managing Grief, July 12 - July 18, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Wills are for the living. Do you have yours? http://j.mp/1I0D9qH « Refuge In Grief

Movie Review, Me And Earl And The Dying Girl: You Will Laugh, You Will Cry, http://j.mp/1OjRljQ « SevenPonds Blog

INSIDE OUT: Carla Grossini-Concha on Loving Her Daughter While Mourning Her Son, http://j.mp/1e3acT4 « Mutha Magazine

Coping with Pet Loss, July 12 - July 18, 2015

Best selection from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Pet Talk: Hospice care bridges the gap between curing and euthanizing, http://j.mp/1K7xNR4 « The Oregonian

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below.
If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

In Grief: Feeling No Support In The Wake of Loss

[Reviewed and updated July 7, 2024]

It sounds obvious, but it wasn’t until I was sitting with a friend (and feeling gloriously understood) that it finally clicked: no man can ever replace your mother. ~ Anna Pasternak

A reader writes: I tearfully happened upon your website by chance this morning. My dearest friend, my mom, died in my arms this past month. I had brought her here to live with me after her colon cancer returned. From the moment of diagnosis, I watched her hurt and endure so much treatment, never giving up, always smiling, always gentle, humble. Mom lasted 7 months. My precious friend is no longer with me. Since she died, I’ve received very little support from my husband or anyone else. I joined an online grief group, but I do not feel as if I belong there. My friends have faded away. You would be surprised how people fade away when someone is thrust into care giving. Even our church turned their backs—no calls, no words of comfort, no nothing. My husband confronted them on this, but still no contact.

Caregiving and Hospice, July 5 - July 11, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Touching hospice tribute: Birthday Candles on Her Deathbed, http://j.mp/1fnQlzD « The New York Times

ePOLST: It's about damn time! http://j.mp/1G6UEnP « GeriPal

How to Talk About Dying, http://j.mp/1JQ6nMB « The New York Times

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below.
If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Understanding and Managing Grief, July 5 - July 11, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

What I Wish More People Understood About Losing A Child, http://j.mp/1xifKlI « MindBodyGreen

How to sit with Grief, http://j.mp/1Mi6sc4 « Elephant Journal

How Your Words Can Complicate My Grief, http://j.mp/1TmM7Xp « GriefMinisterDotCom

Coping with Pet Loss, July 5 - July 11, 2015

Best selection from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Ivan Died Last Night - Petloss from a Vet's Perspective, http://j.mp/1LUNxpY « Dr. Andy Roark

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below.
If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Starting A Support Group: Suggested Resources

[Reviewed and updated July 30, 2022]

To know the road ahead, ask those who are coming back. ~ Chinese Proverb

A reader writes: Do you have any ideas/resources for starting a parent support group? I live in a very small town. We have recently had several of our young people pass away, including my own son who was killed in an auto accident on Mother’s Day of this year. I have no idea how to go about starting something like this nor how to manage it. The closest mental health resources we have are an hour’s drive away. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Caregiving and Hospice, June 28 - July 4, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

5 Ways Hospice Care Is Changing Americans' Lives, http://j.mp/1C3joCp « Bustle

5 Tips For People Choosing Long Term Dementia Care, http://j.mp/1CdY9hv « Alzheimer's Reading Room

A Caregiver’s Resume, http://j.mp/1T5EXXs « The Unprepared Caregiver

Understanding and Managing Grief, June 28 - July 4, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Widow sends travel-loving husband in a bottle with heartfelt note, http://j.mp/1dAblBx « Daily Mail

Grief at Work: Covering a Colleague’s Funeral, http://j.mp/1gd85Of « Victoria Noe

Hearing the Unheard in Grief, http://j.mp/1KwZHUV «  The Manifest-Station