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 >
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 >
Service of Remembrance 2011
I hope you can join me as the DoveLewis Pet Loss Support Program in partnership with Dignified Pet Services for our annual Service of Remembrance. Please join us in celebration of the invisible yet undeniable bond between humans and our beloved companion animals who are no longer here. Together, surrounded by others who understand this bond, we will light candles in memory of those who are no longer here.
The Old Church - 1422 SW 11th Ave., Portland ... Read More >
01/20/12 | 0 Comments | Post a Comment | Viewed 248 times.
Creating a Memorial Table or Altar
Consider creating a memorial table, or altar to honor your beloved pet. As your pet had a special place in your heart and life, find a special spot where you can place mementos in his/her memory.
Creating a special place in your home, yard or workplace that acknowledges and honors your pet’s life will bring you comfort— a place where you can go (or be) and remember your lost friend. This is a healing tool to help you express and work through your grief. Designing and displaying your pet in this manner is a concrete reminder that your pet is still present in your heart, even... Read More >
02/24/11 | 3 Comments | Post a Comment | Viewed 523 times.
The Journey
When you bring a pet into your life, you begin a journey — a journey that will bring you more love and devotion than you have ever known, yet also test your strength and courage.
If you allow, the journey will teach you many things, about life, about yourself, and most of all, about love. You will come away changed forever, for one soul cannot touch another without leaving its mark.
Along the way, you will learn much about savoring life’s simple pleasures — jumping in leaves, snoozing in the sun, the joy of puddles, and even the satisfaction of a good scratch behind the ears.... Read More >
01/17/11 | 0 Comments | Post a Comment | Viewed 712 times.
Handling the Holidays
For many of us, the easiest and most rewarding thing in life on earth is to love and be loved by our animal companions. And it is the hardest and most excruciating sadness when we must say goodbye. I know from my experience as a grief counselor, that this sadness will not be with you permanently. Trust me when I assure you that you will heal from your grief. You will also grow from it. But, there are a lot of triggers during the holidays that bring your grief to the surface. Remember, the grief you feel is a reflection of the love you shared, it is a normal, necessary and healthy... Read More >
12/28/11 | 4 Comments | Post a Comment | Viewed 709 times.
Cremated Remains Keepsakes
It is a comforting tradition in many cultures for loved ones whom have passed to be remembered by their survivors with a keepsake or small token held close to their heart.
Cremated remains keepsakes allows you the freedom to hold a bit of your cherished pet close to you every minute of the day, if you so desire. This type of keepsake can meet your natural yearning to memorialize and remember your beloved companion.
Cremated remains keepsakes can be worn as a pendant, carried in your pocket, hung on your rear view mirror or displayed in your home, even placed with the urn that... Read More >
10/28/10 | 1 Comment | Post a Comment | Viewed 2977 times.
Community Memorial Art Therapy
Often, when we can’t find the words, art helps us recognize and give voice to deep and painful feelings such as those experienced in grief.
Did you know that people have been creatively expressing their grief through art for centuries? Doing something creative can provide a new outlet of self-expression to an individual who’s grieving a loss. Creating something with one’s hands, can be a very helpful way to express loss in some tangible form while navigating your own journey through grief.
Here we are combining art and group, which is doubly beneficial, as art provides a creative... Read More >
09/17/10 | 1 Comment | Post a Comment | Viewed 2765 times.
The NEW “My Pet Remembrance Journal”
“My Pet Remembrance Journal” has a new look!
I wrote “My Pet Remembrance Journal” especially for people who had experienced the death of a beloved companion animal as a source of comfort and guidance. In 1996, DoveLewis published this journal to both support the grieving community and to raise funds for the Pet Loss Support program.
Today, we are re-introducing the same wonderful journal with a fresh new look designed by Lisa Adza. I am very thankful to Dignified Pet Services for their generous sponsorship, which made it possible for us to continue to provide a... Read More >
08/31/10 | 6 Comments | Post a Comment | Viewed 3068 times.
Why Memorialize?
Creating a memorial for your companion animal is an important step in the grieving process. Whether you choose burial or cremation, memorializing will help you cope with the loss of the pet.
To memorialize your companion animal is to acknowledge and honor the important roles he/she played in your life. It helps bring meaning to your loss and draw closure on your grief. As you think about memorializing your companion animal, draw on your feelings and memories — they will comfort you and help you keep your pet’s love and presence in your heart.
Think of what was unique and... Read More >
08/09/10 | 0 Comments | Post a Comment | Viewed 2199 times.
12/30/11 | 0 Comments | Post a Comment | Viewed 352 times.