Understanding and Managing Grief, December 1 - December 7, 2024

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

When someone you love loses a person they love, it can be hard to know what to say. You want to show your friend you love and support them, but you also know there really isn't much you can say to heal their pain. In this situation, the best thing to do is "name the elephant in the room," says Mekel Harris, a psychologist and grief consultant. The Do's and Don'ts of Expressing Condolences « NPR

Too Attached to A Pet? When Bonding May Be Unhealthy

There is such a thing as having too much of a good thing.  ~ Michelle Gomez

A reader writes: In my opinion there are just too many people around the world who love their pets more than they love people. Do you have any more detailed information\articles outlining signs of unhealthy relationships with pets? Or maybe you can point me in the right direction.

Pet Loss: Helping A Friend With Unresolved Grief

[Reviewed and updated June 5, 2021]

It comes with experience as we go along with our life. The more we realize on who to give our love, care and time, the more we understand ourselves for the better.  ~ Alcuizar Barredo

A reader writes: I was just surfing the net looking for info regarding pet loss in trying to help a friend of mine. I noticed your article about unhealthy bonding, and it so happens my friend is in just that situation. She called her pet her "child" and was overly attached to it during its life, excluding relationships at the expense of the pet and turning down invitations that did not include the pet as you said in the article. The pet died two years ago and she is still grieving heavily and is unwilling to move from a home that she is unhappy with due to not wanting to move away from the grave. Basically, your article describes her to a tee. I am at a loss as to how to help my friend. Can you give my any suggestions?

Coping with Pet Loss, October 8 - October 14, 2017

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

Grieving for a pet can take many forms and duration can vary, vet says, http://j.mp/2gf1t7U « Kansas State University

I've been there: Pet grief support comes to Philly, http://bit.ly/2yj0xG3 « Philadelphia Inquirer

Pet grief: When you lose your most faithful friend, http://j.mp/2ga6Jtd « Daily Mail Online

Loving A Pet Too Much: When Bonding May Be Unhealthy

Find the latest version of this post here:

Too Attached to A Pet? When Bonding May Be Unhealthy

A reader writes: In my opinion there are just too many people around the world who love their pets more than they love people. Do you have any more detailed information\articles outlining signs of unhealthy relationships with pets? Or maybe you can point me in the right direction.