Understanding and Managing Grief & Pet Loss, December 4 - December 10, 2022

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

"I brought my mom home to help her die. I had no idea what I was in for —or what I'd gain. All I knew was that she wasn’t going to take her final breath in a hospital." Home Hospice Care At The End of My Mom's Life: Lessons Learned « HUFFPOST

Pet Loss: Has My Cat Gone Off to Die?

Learning how to communicate with animals is just like learning any other language. The more you practice, the better you become. ~  Karen A. Anderson

A reader writes: Have you ever heard of a pet going away from home if they know they are going to die? A good friend of mine told me this just a few days before my 15-year-old cat disappeared from his usual favorite place to be, the front porch! Osh was 15 years old and never left the front porch. He was spending more and more time out there, and I always brought him in. That particular time, for some reason, I decided to let him stay! He and I were very attached to each other, my mom and I got him about 11 years ago. Funny thing is my mom passed away suddenly in a car accident 6 years ago and a big part of me feels like she was ready for him.

Pet Loss: Seeking Support From A Group

[Reviewed and updated December 2. 2025]

A reader writes: Based on your experience facilitating a Pet Loss Support Group, I'm hoping can you answer some questions for an article I am writing. For instance, how important is it for people who have lost a pet to seek help from a support group? What are some of the more common reasons they have for going to a pet loss support group? And how do they usually feel by the time they get to the support group?

Understanding and Managing Grief, February 1 - February 7, 2015

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

Coming Out To Grief, http://j.mp/1DPDsV2 « Grief Digest Magazine

'Grief and change are hard, but they are survivable': Lessons From a Grief Counselor,  http://j.mp/1BVXgDC « AL.Com Opinion

The Healing Power of Animals, http://j.mp/1zykFg2 « What's Your Grief?

Coping with Pet Loss, October 5 - October 11, 2014

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

Pet Loss: When A Pet Goes Missing, http://j.mp/1vGRVi3 « Grief Healing Blog

Pet Loss: When A Pet Goes Missing

[Reviewed and Updated July 9, 2025]

A reader writes: I can't stand it. My boxer dog ran from my pet sitter and did not return. I have posted ads, sent out fliers, visited pound, websites, done everything. It has been 6 weeks and I thought I was over him, but I am not. How do I get closure? How long does it take? I had him for 8 loving years and he was closer to me than any friend I ever had. I pray God to lead me to him. What do I do?

My response: I'm so sorry to learn that your beloved boxer disappeared six weeks ago, and I can only imagine how devastating this must be for you. Because this kind of loss can be extremely difficult, it is not at all unusual that you would be feeling and reacting the way that you describe.

Coping with Pet Loss, August 31 - September 6, 2014

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

There is no timetable for the grieving process, http://j.mp/1ta4L6O « The [Shreveport, LA] Times

Lost: What to Do If Your Dog Goes Missing, http://j.mp/1lHIIWP « Cesar's Way

Helpless??? On anticipating the grief of pet loss, http://j.mp/1tTeZuI « Personal Growth and Grief Support Center

Coping with Pet Loss, September 15 - September 21, 2013

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

What to do when you encounter a lost dog or your own lost dog, http://j.mp/187S16r « No Dog About It

Sobering, important post from Dr. Kay: Needing to Vent, http://j.mp/186Rn9m « Speaking for Spot

Coping with Pet Loss, February 13 - February 19

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

• Outstanding! How animals can help us teach children about illness and loss, http://bit.ly/ijGnUU by @NEPetHospice 

• Toto alerts for missing pets, via Veterinary Wisdom® Café, http://bit.ly/hYmcZl 

• Spending more time - say, forever - with your pet, http://bit.ly/gx0V0p via @PawsWhiskersWag 

Coping with Pet Loss, October 31 - November 6

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

• Using the Internet to locate missing pets http://bit.ly/b5Ztmp