Understanding and Managing Grief, May 26 - June 1, 2024

Best selections from Grief Healing's X feed this week: 

The disorienting nature of grief can create a sense of duality in our reality. Adapting to a new life without our loved one isn't easy, but it is possible. Many grievers report feeling as though they are in a parallel life with their loved one just out of reach. Why Your Old Life Can Feel Just Out of Reach « Psychology Today

Understanding and Managing Grief, December 17 - December 30, 2023

Best selections from Grief Healing's X feed this week:

Much about growing older involves loss: of physical strength, mental acuity, and social relevance. Learning to view death as a prelude to something larger is a skill we can begin while still alive. As we learn to drop away the extraneous, the essential can shine through more clearly. The Grief of Growing Older « Psychology Today

Caregiving and Hospice, May 19 - May 25, 2019

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

Insightful and informative: Caregiver Recovery versus Bereavement, http://j.mp/2VVSBHT « The Artful Caregiver

How to Plan for Weddings AND Funerals, http://j.mp/2VRCKKz « A Good Goodbye ~ Funeral Planning for Those Who Don't Plan to Die

3 things about psychiatry that don't focus on pathology, http://j.mp/2VVjFa8 « Kevin MD

Caregiving and Grief in Alzheimer's and Dementia: Suggested Resources

[Reviewed and updated June 10, 2026]

Grief is the constant yet hidden companion of Alzheimer's disease and other related dementias.  ~ Kenneth J. Doka

A hospice colleague writes: We are preparing a program on issues of caring for those with dementia (and their caregivers) who are bereaved, as well as caring for the bereaved whose loved ones had dementia. If you find any relevant material on these issues, I would appreciate anything you can share.

Caregiving and Hospice, March 31 - April 6, 2019

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

Hospice of the Valley program offers the dying solace, companionship, http://j.mp/2OPX1t8 « AZCentral

Growing Old Is Better With a Pet. Here's Why, http://j.mp/2uNs2oa « TIME

Palliative Care instead of “pseudomedicine” for dementia? http://j.mp/2OBYNh9 « CaregivingOldGuy.website

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. 

Coping with Pet Loss, December 9 - December 15, 2018

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

Mobile pet hospice a labor of love for area veterinarian, http://j.mp/2LguNWw « Ahwatukee Foothills News

Did you Know that Hospice Care is for Cats Too? http://j.mp/2LiwPpl « Kitten Toob

Paw Prints: Growing trend: Hospice care for pets, http://j.mp/2C0vWOU « Tribune Star

Coping with Pet Loss, May 13 - May 19, 2018

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

Nancy LeVine Captures the Beauty of Aging in Her Portraits of Senior Dogs, http://j.mp/2L2hqsG « Seven Ponds Blog

In Grief: Preparing for The Loss of a Pet, http://j.mp/2GdpiE6 « Grief Healing

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.

Caregiving and Hospice, June 25 - July 1, 2017

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

Hospice Care: When is it Time? http://bit.ly/2kdbwu8 « EGAN Home Health and Hospice

Hospice Care about Re-Focusing Priorities, Not Giving Up - Alzheimer's, http://j.mp/2uikS9g « Health Central

From above: Geriatric social workers mean the world to children of aging parents, http://j.mp/2u8CG6P « Chicago Tribune

Caregiving and Hospice, February 5 - February 11, 2017

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

How to Age Alone in the Era of "Elder Orphans," http://bit.ly/2kxHBw6 « Seven Ponds Blog

Book Review: Good to Go: A Guide To Preparing for the End of Life, http://bit.ly/2kNCOVR « Seven Ponds Blog

Facing the Abyss: Planning for Death, http://bit.ly/2kFFBmt « Pallimed

Coping with Pet Loss, September 11 - September 17, 2016

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

What More Is There Possibly to Ask? http://j.mp/2cJMwXK « The Huffington Post

What this family physician learned from his dog, http://j.mp/2d16B9B « Kevin MD

Pet Loss: At My Age, Is It Selfish to Get Another Dog? http://j.mp/2cpa4gz « Grief Healing

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.

Pet Loss: At My Age, Is It Selfish to Get Another Dog?

Source

[Reviewed and updated December 2, 2025]

Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.  ~ Leroy "Satchel" Paige

A reader writes: My husband and I are both 74 and we have no children. So our pets become surrogate kids. My husband loved our dog but he seems to cope much better with her loss. He has health problems so much of her care fell on me. She was my friend! It has been three weeks now and I still feel sick when I think of her. I would like to get another dog but I am not sure what would be best. I am fairly active for my age and walked my golden retriever every day. Plus there is a park across from where I live where she was able to run. I am considering a sheltie. I just hope I am not being selfish getting another dog at my age.

Caregiving and Hospice, August 14 - August 20, 2016

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

Aging Solo: Okay, I don’t have a child to help me, but I do have a plan, http://j.mp/2aZlXZI « The Washington Post

The Gold Standard for Current Cancer Treatment, http://bit.ly/2biQYZm « Care And Cost

Why Listening Can Be a Gift, http://j.mp/2bcodgZ « Quiet Revolution

Caregiving and Hospice, June 19 - July 9, 2016

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream:

Take the Quiz: Is Palliative Care Right for You? http://bit.ly/29EevVT « Get Palliative Care

Against Euphemisms - Part 1 - Comfort Care, http://j.mp/29HemDy « Pallimed

Please Don't Talk About Aging!!! http://j.mp/29H3NjS « GeriPal

Coping with Pet Loss, May 1 - May 7, 2016

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

Life With an Aging Dog, http://j.mp/23xsDme « The Huffington Post

PetLoss: Afraid to Love My Remaining Pets, http://j.mp/1rMVE1P « Grief Healing

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.

Caregiving and Hospice, May 3 - May 9, 2015

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

Thickened Liquid Challenge on Making Sense of Alzheimer's, http://j.mp/1IrBGxB « GeriPal

Heartwarmer! Watchdog Cat Looks After Hospice Patient, http://j.mp/1Eo5xBj « WHOtv.com

The Need for Stability Part II: Its Role in Chronic and Progressive Illnesses, http://j.mp/1zBbUoO
« Stan Goldberg, PhD

Caregiving and Hospice, April 12 - April 18, 2015

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

Healthy Dying... An important part of healthy aging, http://j.mp/1PUJZp9 « GeriPal

A choice for dying: Not a perfect ending, but a better ending, http://j.mp/1FFRGan « SF Gate

5 Questions for Ira Byock, http://j.mp/1OwgVm5 « Spirituality and Health

Caregiving and Hospice, April 5 - April 11, 2015

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

Institute on Aging Friendship Line needs support! http://j.mp/1EgqqD9 « IndieGoGo

The Health Perks of Arts and Crafts for Adults, http://j.mp/1CYF53x « TIME

Rules, Regulations and Unintended Consequences: The Other Type of Swiss Cheese, http://j.mp/1E4Ja8p « Life in The FastLane

Coping with Pet Loss, March 15 - March 21, 2015

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

Heartwarming! What Our Dogs Teach Us About Aging, http://j.mp/1baJ7MY « AARP The Magazine

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.

Coping with Pet Loss, January 25 - January 31, 2015

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

Lessons in death through the loss of a beloved pet, http://fb.me/1BYop6zIk « Build A Smarter Mind

Why do so many try to diminish the grief we feel for pet loss? http://j.mp/1LvonNP « Wofflesnapper

How Do You Know You're Ready for Another Dog?: Life After Pet Loss, http://j.mp/1JWefMi « The Jersey Doggy

Caregiving and Hospice, October 5 - October 11, 2014

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

A Call for Maternalism in Medicine, http://j.mp/1stECDP « GeriPal

No Risky Chances: The Conversation That Matters Most ~ Terrific excerpt from Atul Gawande's new book, Being Mortal, http://j.mp/1rmd5xt « Medical Examiner

Palliative Care gets Boost from IOM, Gawande, http://j.mp/ZTsNLg « Hospitals and Health Networks