Pet Loss: When A "Pocket Pet" Dies

Source

[Reviewed and updated December 2, 2025]

A person's a person, no matter how small.  ~ Dr. Seuss

A reader writes: I had a sweet, loving Guinea pig for over three years. Her name was Pippin. She would cuddle up on my lap almost every night and squeal happy squeals and stand up on her hind legs when I walked into the room. We had been taking care of our son's dog for three weeks. The dog was blind and had many maladies, but was so sweet, always wagging his tail. When my son returned last Friday, the dog had developed a huge hematoma on his ear. My son couldn't afford the vet bills so he was going to put the dog down the next day, last Saturday. We said we would adopt the dog and take care of the vet bills so we cancelled the noon euthanasia appointment. About 4 hours later we left to run errands. That was our mistake, that I am feeling so guilty for.

Caregiving and Hospice, July 10 - July 16, 2016

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

How We Used to Die; How We Die Now, http://bit.ly/29D3gio « Exopermaculture

10 Things Seniors Should Know About Hospice, http://j.mp/29CEGOW « US News

10 Commandments of Alzheimer's Caregiving, http://j.mp/29POi9G « Alzheimer's Reading Room

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 10 - July 16, 2016

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

About Grief, http://j.mp/29Y0xOY « Personal Growth and Grief Support Center

Getting Through Those Triggers! http://j.mp/29D9ivS « Open to Hope

Stopping Traffic For Grief, http://j.mp/29IKtlm « Huffington Post

Coping with Pet Loss, July 10 - July 16, 2016

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

Why I Hid My Grief After My Cat Died, http://bit.ly/29WXI3p « Love Lives On

Pet Bereavement Is No Different Than Human Bereavement, http://j.mp/29vSiGO « HuffPost Living

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: Mourning The Loss of A Friend

Source

[Reviewed and updated December 16, 2024]

The bond between friends cannot be broken by chance; no interval of time or space can destroy it. Not even death itself can part true friends.  ~ St. John Cassian

A reader writes: A while ago I lost my good friend in a tragic car accident. We had just talked the day before. I had called him to warn him about the storm warnings we had in our area and he told me he would call me back that evening but I didn’t hear from him. I tried calling him all the next day and into the evening but still did not get him. I thought something was off, but I never dreamed I would be getting the news I would be hearing the following day.

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

Understanding and Managing Grief, June 19 - July 9, 2016

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream:

Coping with grief overload: Sometimes you just have to take a break from the media exposure around national tragedies, http://j.mp/29pM10r « What's Your Grief?

Moving On Versus Healing, http://j.mp/29rGwxL « All The Things

How to Hurt a Suicide Survivor, http://j.mp/29pvsDQ « The Gift of Second

Coping with Pet Loss, June 19 - July 9, 2016

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream:

How to Respond When A Cherished Pet Dies, http://j.mp/29vQFLb « Salt Lake Tribune

Two Thirds of Pet Owners Say Losing A Pet Is As Devastating As Losing A Family Member, http://j.mp/29iQ1Bt « HuffPost Lifestyle

Animal hospice and palliative care an option for pets too, http://j.mp/294jKOO « The 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.

Voices of Experience: Wonder

by Kathie Brumbaugh

Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.  ~ Socrates

I wonder if life will ever be worth living again? Will there ever be joy, happiness or hope?

I wonder if my tunnel will ever have a light at the end of it? Will this black and gloomy cloud ever lift and float away?

Caregiving and Hospice, June 12 - June 18, 2016

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

New: Chat for Those Caring for a Family Member Who Had a Stroke,  http://j.mp/1V1MNQm « CareGiving.com

It's Time to Train All Doctors on How to Talk to Patients About End-of-Life Care, http://j.mp/1YuwZLR « The Huffington Post

Leaving With Love: The Difference Palliative Care Makes, http://j.mp/1tyJomo « Media Planet Cancer Care