Pet Loss: Grateful for Comfort and Kinship in Grief

There are] two kinds of gratitude: The sudden kind we feel for what we take; the larger kind we feel for what we give.  ~ Edwin Arlington Robinson

A reader writes: Dear Marty, I want to express my gratitude to you personally for the comfort and strength you have given me and others like myself who have lost special companion animals. My cat of eleven and a half years died of kidney disease. We had him euthanized when the disease had progressed to the point where, although he still had his dignity and awareness, he was so painfully thin and weak that we knew he was very tired; he had "fought the good fight," and it was time to let him go. 

Understanding and Managing Grief, November 12 - November 18, 2023

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

Here's why events like a "Ride for Your Life" are so important — and how to keep the spirit going long after World Day of Remembrance is over. ‘World Day of Remembrance’: Connecting Grief to Activism « StreetsBlogUSA

In Grief: A Note of Thanks, and A Message from Mom

A reader writes: Dear Marty, please accept my gratitude for your beautiful heart, and all you selflessly do to lift up and help people experiencing sorrow.

I’ve been visiting your website for over four years now, following the death of my Mom.

During the most sad and bewildering experience I will ever know, you’ve been a guide, providing comfort and heartfelt wisdom that leads me to Mom’s love, my lifelong source of Hope, Meaningfulness, and Purpose.

In Grief: A Note of Thanks

If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, that will be enough.  ~ Meister Eckhart

A reader writes: I wanted to thank you for your wonderful website. I still have much to learn about grief and how to deal with it. But I thank you because through this website I have been able to connect with other people. It's nice to know that there is a place like this that I can go to when I need encouragement.  And it feels good to know that I am able to support others during their time of need.  ~ A.

Understanding and Managing Grief, June 16 - June 22, 2019

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

What is the Treatment for Complicated Grief? http://j.mp/2FqU2DX « Seven Ponds Blog

Grief's New Normal, http://j.mp/2ZzGj5p « Widower's Grief

How a Psychic Medium Broke Through My June Gloom, http://j.mp/2ZGLq3U  « Modern Loss

Pet Loss: A Letter of Thanks

Find an updated version of this post here: 

Pet Loss: Grateful for Comfort and Kinship in Grief

A reader writes: Dear Marty, I want to express my gratitude to you personally for the comfort and strength you have given me and others like myself who have lost special companion animals. My cat of eleven and a half years died of kidney disease. 

Caregiving and Hospice, July 21 - July 27, 2013

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

Books for Family Caregivers, Caregiving Resources, Alzheimer’s Disease,  http://j.mp/12TQVba « AARP

Life-or-Death Situation: an article not to miss, http://j.mp/1e2UHUB « New York Times

Shame on this hospice! Relationships and Intimacy Archives, http://j.mp/14RGquk « Life Matters Media

Certified StoryKeeper Course for hospice volunteers, http://j.mp/19n0BST « Legacy Matters

Music therapy as a non-pharmacological adjunct to pain management, http://j.mp/13aK2WG « MDLinx