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Have you ever lost or known someone who has lost their be-
loved pet? It can be a very emotional and difficult time. The
internet offers several resources for pet loss bereavement
counseling, support & coping tips as well as pet memorial op-
tions. Some of the more popular websites include:
www.aplb.org
The non-profit Association for Pet Loss & Bereavement, Inc.
www.petloss.com · www.pet-loss.net
www.rainbowbridge.com
There are also local Pet Bereavement Services available:
PA: University of Penn (215.898.4529) Veterinary Social Work
Dept at Ryan Veterinary Hospital offers education, counseling
and pet loss support groups.
nJ: Pet Friends, Inc. (856.234.4688) provides 24-hour tele-
phone support, information and referrals to people mourning
or anticipating the loss of a pet through death or any kind of
separation.
Pet Loss & Bereavement Counseling
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Say You Saw It In Pet Pages
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine
a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The
dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy,
Shane were all very attached to Belker and they were
hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he
was dying of cancer. I told the family there were no
miracles left for Belker, and offered to perform the
euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me
they thought it would be good for the four-year-old
Shane to observe the procedure. They felt Shane
could learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as
Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so
calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I won-
dered if he understood what was going on. Within
Why Don't pets live as long as people?
a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The
little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without
any difficulty or confusion.
We sat together for a while after Belker's death,
wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives
are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been
listening quietly, piped up, I know why." Startled, we
all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next
stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting ex-
planation.
He said, "Everybody is born so that they can learn
how to live a good life-like loving everybody and be-
ing nice, right?" The four-year-old continued, "Well,
animals already know how to do that, so they don't
have to stay as long."
pet bereAVemeNt