Little Creek Veterinary Clinic

     Most of us will experience the rewards of pet ownership at some point in our lives.  Who can resist the fun of playing with a hyper kitten or a roly-poly puppy?  The bond we form with our pets can be as strong as any ties to our family and friends.  But because of this bond, we can experience very real and painful grief over the loss of our beloved pets.

     Whether the pet has lived a long, full life or one cut tragically short, the grieving process is the same.  There is no timetable to follow, no right way or wrong way to process the pet’s death – there is only your way, in your time.

     If you have lost a pet and feel you need the support of a group of people who understand what you’re going through or you’d like to speak privately to a trained grief support hotline staffer, these are the resources you need to know:

• Association for Pet Loss & Bereavement  www.aplb.org
• Lightning Strike Pet Loss Support  www.lightning-strike.com
• ASPCA Pet Loss Hotline 1-877-GRIEF-10       http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-loss/
• CARE Pet Loss Helpline  1-877-394-2273  http://vetmed.illinois.edu/CARE/
• Cornell University Pet Loss Support Hotline  1-607-253-3932 (not a toll-free number)  http://www.vet.cornell.edu/org/petloss/

     Whatever your level of need, someone is waiting to help you.  For face-to-face grief counseling, ask your physician to recommend a therapist.