The DoveLewis Pet Loss Blog
Enid Traisman, certified grief counselor & Director of the DoveLewis Pet Loss Support Program, shares her insight to help others navigate the grief of losing a beloved pet. Grieving for a loved pet is a natural, normal and personal process. Because they touched our lives so deeply they are deserving of our grief. Learn tips and tools for healing.
My Pets, Past and Present
All through my childhood I preferred plush animals to dolls. I pretended there was a real live animal inside each one. Every night I wished with all my heart that while I was asleep one of my plushies would magically come alive and greet me in the morning.
The minute I graduated from college and moved into my own apartment I set out to get my very own pet, a kitten. Buckwheat was his name, he was a feisty, beige and perfect. Buckwheat was my “first child” and he taught me so much about myself and about parenting. For 21 years, Buckwheat accompanied me through many life... Read More >
National Pet Loss Support Hotlines and Resources
Like our DoveLewis 24-hour message line, there are several other national pet loss support hotlines that are available to support grieving pet owners. Many are connected to universities that have a veterinary program and are answered by veterinary students who have gone through bereavement training.
Remember, first and foremost, the person on the other end of the phone is there to listen to you empathetically. They don’t give advice, but can help with problem solving, guiding callers through conversations to make their own choices and decisions. Often, the simple fact that someone... Read More >
04/23/12 | 0 Comments | Post a Comment | Viewed 63 times.
The DoveLewis 24 hour Pet Loss Support Message Line
Since its inception in 1988, the DoveLewis 24- hour message line has provided support for a great many people grieving the loss or anticipated loss of a beloved animal companion.
The message line receives an average of five phone messages per day. People often call grief stricken over the death of a beloved pet. Some people call because they are worried about a friend, relative or surviving pets. Other people call asking for tools to help cope with grief, requesting titles of books and helpful websites. Many people call because they want/need to tell someone about the death of their... Read More >
04/06/12 | 0 Comments | Post a Comment | Viewed 117 times.
Meet Little Enid
It’s true, I have a namesake, and she is a Wheaton Cubalaya Chicken!
Little Enid was named by and is cared for by Barry, a wonderful man who attended the pet loss support group a couple years ago to work through his grief and honor the memories of his two wonderful Huskies, Lorax and Dawn.
Even after he healed from his losses, Barry occasionally came to group to check in, both touching base with his own process and providing a “light at the end of the tunnel” for others earlier in their journey. On one such visit, Barry showed up with a handful of eggs for me. He shared that... Read More >
03/02/12 | 1 Comment | Post a Comment | Viewed 118 times.
February is “Mend a Broken Heart ” month
February is “Mend a Broken Heart” month.
The Community Memorial Art project for February is ideal to help in mending hearts broken through grief and loss. Our project is transforming a simple white prayer candle into a personalized memorial candle to honor a beloved pet.
Lighting a candle in honor of those who have passed is a centuries old tradition that allows us to express what we cannot communicate with words. Lighting a candle for our loved ones is a meaningful act. It helps us to remember and honor their life and their memory. For many, candles can be reflections of our... Read More >
02/14/12 | 0 Comments | Post a Comment | Viewed 332 times.
Understanding Cremation
Pet loss, whether anticipated or sudden, is a heart-breaking event. Pet owners facing the loss of their pet are often overwhelmed, finding themselves unprepared to make a quick and clear decision regarding disposition of their beloved companion. Just as we pay tribute to human loved ones, pet owners understandably feel they deserve similar options for a much-loved pet. Through Dignified Pet Services (DPS), the aftercare facility we use at DoveLewis, you do.
If you are a pet owner whose pet is in failing health, or if you have sadly experienced the recent passing of a pet, the... Read More >
02/03/12 | 0 Comments | Post a Comment | Viewed 205 times.
Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match
match·mak·er [mach-mey-ker] noun
A person who arranges introductions of possible soul mates.
In addition to helping the bereaved to heal, I also wear the hat of matchmaker. Over the years I have been responsible for bringing many stray, homeless and “throwaway” pets together with their forever families.
I get untold joy making these matches, and I have an uncanny ability to make perfect and lasting matches - so I’ve been told.
This collage of photos is just a sampling of my legacy. Sometimes I ask myself, “Is this ability a gift I have been given for divine purposes?... Read More >
01/20/12 | 2 Comments | Post a Comment | Viewed 341 times.
Lonny, Jingle Bear, and the Season of Magic
My friend, Deb shared this story of holiday magic with me and I was so touched as I often am by the amazing stories of love and loss and hope that I have the honor to hear from people. I asked Deb to share her wonderful story in this blog. In her own words;
Our Golden Retreiver, Lonny, left us on October 19, 2006. Like all parents suffering a loss, we were at turns devasted and hopeful - devastated that we had to continue without Lonny, and hopeful that he would still make his presence known somehow and send us a message. Thanks to Enid and the Pet Loss Support groups at... Read More >
12/30/11 | 0 Comments | Post a Comment | Viewed 352 times.
A Comfort Room Experience
I received a letter earlier this week from Becky Jarvis after her experience using our comfort room last weekend. Becky’s letter describes beautifully all the care and thought that goes into every euthanasia performed for beloved pets at our hospital.
In Becky’s words:
“This is a story about compassion and empathy and gentle caring that we received last night at DoveLewis Emergency Animal hospital. The tears were flowing down our faces as we walked into the clinic with Kris in the cat carrier box. My young sons and I went up to the counter to check-in and told the receptionist that... Read More >
01/20/12 | 0 Comments | Post a Comment | Viewed 215 times.
05/10/12 | 0 Comments | Post a Comment | Viewed 59 times.