b'How to Help a Friend or Family MemberWho Is Grieving the Loss of a Petby Keenan Knopke2. Listen Without Judgmentor Offering Immediate SolutionsGrievingapetcanbeanemotionalrollercoaster, and people need the spaceto express their emotions. Be a compas-sionatelistener,withoutinterruptingorofferingsolutionsrightaway.Sometimes,grievingindividualsjustneedsomeonetohearthemoutwhethertheywanttotalkabouttheirpetspersonality,thegoodtimestheyshared, or even the sadness they feel now.Dont rush to give advice such as,Itllgetbetterintimeor Youllgetover it. While these comments might betrue, they often dont offer the emotion-alsupportneededinthemoment.Instead, allow your friend to speak freelyabout their pet and their grief. Your lis-Photograph of Keno, a Dogue de Bordeaux, taken by Denise Cashin as part of her Until We Meet Again tening ear is often the most healing giftend-of-life photographic sessions. www.DeniseCashin.com you can offer.T he loss of a pet can be a deeply pet1. Acknowledge Their Grief you 3. Offer Practical Help and Supportemotionalandisolatingexperi- One of the most important thingsDuringthegrievingprocess,everydayence. For many people, pets are can do for someone grieving the loss of a tasks can feel overwhelming for someonenot just animals; they are beloved istoacknowledgetheirfeelings. who has just lost a pet. Simple things likecompanions,confidants,andintegral Dontminimizetheirlossbysaying cooking a meal, taking care of their petsmembers of the family. When a friend or things like, It was just a pet or (iftheyhaveothers),orhelpingwithfamily member loses a pet, the grief they You can always get another one. householdchorescanbeahugerelief.experience can be overwhelming, and they While these statements might come Offering practical help without expectingmay struggle to find ways to cope with from a place of trying to comfort, they anything in return allows them to focustheir loss. As a supportive friend or loved often invalidate the depth of pain that on their emotional healing.one,itsimportanttoknowhowtobe your friend or loved one is experiencing. You can also offer specific help,there for them during this difficult time. Instead, recognize that their grief is real such as:Yourpresence,empathy,andthoughtful and significant. Walking their other pets ifgestures can make a world of difference in You can say things like: they need a break.their healing process. Im so sorry for your loss. I know Helping them clean or organizeGriefoverthelossofapetcan how much [pets name] meant their pets belongings if they feelbeintense,andwhileitmightnotbe to you. ready to do so.understoodbyeveryone,acknowledging I cant imagine how hard this Running errands or pickingtheirpainandofferingmeaningful must be for you right now. up groceries so they dont havesupportcanhelpthemfeellessalone. Please know that Im here for you. to worry about mundane tasks.Here are ways to offer comfort and help By validating their feelings, These small gestures can be a sourcesomeone navigate their grief after losing you show them that their grief is of comfort and can show that you care ina pet. acknowledged and respected. tangible ways.60THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com'