A Dog Memorial Can Help With The Grieving Process...

The Loss...Losing a dog or pet is overwhelming and I realize that just talking about it can be difficult. My goal is to help you with the process of healing and to share something with you, something in common with you.

I lost my first dog "Joe" when I was barely out of high school and for me this was my first encounter with anyone or anything I loved "passing over". Almost thirty years ago now, I remember the need to place a dog memorial there for "Joe" where we buried her. Although I really didn't want to find closure or to let go at all, I knew in my heart that the dog memorial was necessary for me to move on.

Both me and my husband are avid dog lovers and we know all to well how difficult the process is of losing and grieving for a pet, a family member. We lost three of our dogs in eight years and for me it was nothing less than devastating. The same feeling that I had as a young girl losing her first old dog had resurfaced and it is still just as hard today as it was back then.

The Healing Process...
Whether you lose a person or you lose a pet, part of the healing process must include talking about it and expressing your grief. It helps tremendously to talk with those that have gone through it, those that understand. This common denominator provides hope and security at a time when we're most vulnerable. Be gentle on yourself and allow yourself to grieve. Shy away from those that are critical of your feelings and surround yourself with those that understand how you feel.

Like I did as a young girl, don't confuse "closure" with "forgetting". Finding closure doesn't mean we forget, but instead, it allows us to remember and move on. Like others, a dog memorial helped me to come to terms with my loss and it still does today.

Should I Get Another Dog?..
For many people the thought of getting another dog makes them feel that they are "replacing" their beloved friend. Yet for others it is critical to get another dog to fill the empty void.

For us, life has taught us the importance of grieving and surrendering to something we have no control over. Our dogs have taught us the importance of giving back, they have shown us how grateful a dog is to have someone love and care for them for all the days of their lives.

Losing something we love is the most difficult thing in life, on the other hand, gaining something we love is one of lifes treasures.