November 25, 2009

“The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved.” 

--Victor Hugo

Who lets us know this better than our own sweet pets?

When asked what qualities people appreciate most about their pets, the top two answers are almost always companionship and unconditional love.  Why not stop for a few moments each day to truly allow yourself to feel the love of your pet?  Gaze into your pet’s eyes as you pet your cat, groom your horse, or walk your dog.  The love and gratitude you’ll see there can make everything seem right in the world.

 

November 18, 2009

“Love has no awareness of merit or demerit; it has no scale…Love loves; this is its nature.”  --Howard Thurman

Twenty-five years ago, when I began my career dealing with people who were experiencing pet loss and grief, I encountered many people who trivialized the bonds we form with our pets.  These folks believed it was silly to grieve so intensely when a pet died and thought my choice of career was off-base.

“You’re catering to people who are overly-sentimental,” one colleague from the mental health professions told me.  “You shouldn’t reinforce these relationships with pets,” another said.  “They’re just substituting pets for real relationships with people.”

Thankfully, this point of view has changed over the past two decades.  We’re wiser now and realize that, as the quote above says, love is love.  It doesn’t matter who we love but it does matter that we love and feel loved in return.  Companion animals provide unconditional love for so many who may not otherwise experience it.  The love of a pet should never be diminished or compared to other relationships; it should be appreciated and savored.

 

November 11, 2009

Did you know research is proving that there are many, many health benefits to spending time with a pet?

Activities like petting a cat, observing horses as they run in a pasture, walking a dog, or even watching fish swim in an aquarium can lower blood pressure and heart rate and release oxytocin into our bodies.  In other words, they can help us feel calmer and happier.

There are emotional and mental health benefits, too.  Living with a pet can give meaning to the lives of elderly people and teach young children how to empathize with and take responsibility for others.  What benefits do you receive from the animals in your world?

 

November 4, 2009

“The dark night of the soul---between no longer and not yet.” 

--Joan Borysenko

This is one of the best descriptions of grief that I’ve ever read.  The life you knew no longer exists and the life you now have, as well as the person you now are, haven’t quite come together.

Losing someone we love, like a dear companion animal, changes us.  The grief, and the way others deal with our grief, change us.  It can be a lonely, difficult time.

If you’re stuck between ‘no longer’ and ‘not yet’, please seek out others who can guide you to the other side of your pain.  Support groups, pet loss counselors, telephone helplines.  For a list of resources, visit our Support Center.