Memorial Day: Remembering the Fallen (and Those Who Love Them)

[Reviewed and updated May 22, 2026]

The patriot's blood is the seed of Freedom's tree.  ~ Thomas Campbell

Tim McGraw’s Tribute to Our Troops:

Caregiving and Hospice, May 18 - May 24, 2014

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

Book Review: What Will Happen When I Die? http://j.mp/1p4COyx « SevenPonds Blog

Hospice volunteers helping families at end-of-life, http://j.mp/1p4sDKl « GRAND Magazine

Keeping the Secret of A Terminal Prognosis, http://j.mp/1mvmUwf « Grief Healing Blog

Understanding and Managing Grief, May 18 - May 24, 2014

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

Every Day Can Be A MemorialDay, http://j.mp/1vY1jiY « GriefMinisterdotcom

Was Your Relationship 'Good' Enough to Warrant So Much Grief? http://j.mp/1ofIgi8 « Megan Devine

Supporting Someone Who’s Grieving, http://j.mp/1nk1dR4 « Alive in Memory

Coping with Pet Loss, May 18 - May 24, 2014

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

Helping grandchildren with pet loss, http://j.mp/1k4snmX « GRAND Magazine

Life after Death: Should I get another dog? http://j.mp/1odnwYe « Ashley Davis Bush, LICSW

Pet Loss: Is It A Different Kind of Grief? http://j.mp/1lELExW « Grief Healing Blog

Pet Loss: Is It A Different Kind of Grief?

[Reviewed and updated September 7, 2025]

The difference between friends and pets is that friends we allow into our company, pets we allow into our solitude.  ~ Robert Brault

As one who for many years has supported bereaved animal lovers as well as people mourning the loss of human loved ones, I’m often asked how losing a pet might differ from losing a person. Is the grieving process any different, and if so, how?

Having worked as a grief counselor with both kinds of loss, and having experienced both kinds of loss myself, I can say without reservation that the grief that accompanies pet loss is no different from that of losing a cherished friend or special member of the family. As I often tell my clients, love is love, loss is loss, and pain is pain. Grief is a natural, spontaneous response to the loss of someone dearly loved. Without a doubt, the loss of a loved animal companion and the feelings associated with that loss are real, and they deserve a time of grief, mourning and healing.

Caregiving and Hospice, May 11 - May 17, 2014

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

7 life lessons [for men] from hospice workers, http://j.mp/QQYrUj « Men's Health

Building Outrage: Mad as Hell—and Then What? http://j.mp/1sBkPgN « MediCaring.org

Watch the short film to find out how ehospice improves access to quality palliative care worldwide, http://youtu.be/sD4IspE3NpI « YouTube

Understanding and Managing Grief, May 11 - May 17, 2014

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

Reflections on 'Mother,' http://j.mp/1nSxUVd « What's Your Grief?

The Challenges of Raising Children after the Death of a Child, http://j.mp/1lwN24r « Alive in Memory

I Lost My Daughter and I Lost Hope, Until I Faced My Grief, http://j.mp/1gIAR35 « Everyday Health

Coping with Pet Loss, May 11 - May 17, 2014

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

Planning for the end of your dog’s life - the difficult questions, http://j.mp/1jFFtGW « ThatMutt.com

5 Ways to Help Yourself (and Others) through Pet Loss, http://j.mp/1jnEZoY « Veterinary Wisdom Professionals

Death of a Parent: Negative Impact On A Couple’s Relationship

Find the latest version of this post here:

Mother's Death Threatens Couple's Love Relationship

A reader writes: I've been with my fiance for almost two years. His mother passed away unexpectedly nine months ago, and he was the one to find her. I understand this is a significant emotional struggle for anyone. I've tried to be there for him as much as possible, but any time he loses his temper, it's usually taken out on me.

Caregiving and Hospice, May 4 - May 10, 2014

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

Celebrating GeriPal Nurse Scientists During National Nurses Week  http://j.mp/1iBvXEx « GeriPal

The Truth About Hope, http://j.mp/1majCwT  The Unprepared Caregiver

The Day I Started Lying to Ruth: Cancer Doctor Peter Bach on Losing His Wife to Cancer, http://j.mp/Qi1GDX « New York Magazine