I was deeply touched by your recent article about people dealing with the grief caused by the loss of a beloved pet. As a lifelong "pet Mom" I have found a few ways of dealing with the feelings of sorrow and pain.
I made contributions to local animal shelters and to the ASPCA in memory of my pet. I took pet food and towels and blankets to the shelters, who were exceedingly happy to receive them. Each time I gave, I did it as a memorial tribute to my lost loved one, and I did feel better.
Then, after seeing all the homeless animals just waiting for a forever home, I adopted one from the shelter. This was not a replacement for my deceased friend, for nothing could replace her, but in memory of her so that the love she gave me could continue on to help another lost creature instead of dying with her. I felt that in giving a lonely homeless animal a home, saving it from possible euthanasia (thousands of shelter animals are euthanized every day across this country due to lack of shelter facilities)
I was carrying on the gift of love my lost pet had given me, and I was comforted. And that gift of love grew to include my new pet. Love only stops when we fail to pass it forward.
I hope this helps those who grieve the loss of their pets as much as it does me.
Susan Frank
Lutherville