Death of a Pet
A beloved pet is a family member, and its loss results in grief just as the death of a person does. This is especially true for people who look on their pet as a surrogate child, for those who live alone and for whom a pet is their sole companion, and for children, who may be coming into contact with death for the first time.
If you have a friend who has lost a pet it does not help to say something like "You can always get another dog" or "I know someone who has some kittens". The grief caused by the death of a beloved pet will not be cured by replacing it with a new animal, any more than the death of a baby can be forgotten with the birth of a new child. In time the grieving person may decide to have another pet, but it will never displace the memory of the pet which died.
There are a number of ways that the remains of a pet can be disposed of with dignity. A pet may be buried in a special pet cemetery or in the garden of its owners. The Animal Shelter committee of the Martinsville in Action citizens volunteer group is offering personalized pet monuments with the cooperation of our funeral home. Contact jaymarkwell@yahoo.com for more information. A pet may also be cremated and the ashes scattered in a garden of remembrance or in a favorite place. It is not unknown for a pet which has had to be put down after the death of its owner to be buried or cremated along with the human deceased. It is even possible to have a pet preserved in some way so that its remains can be kept in the home.
If you need resources for dealing with grief, the number of your local crisis hotline will be listed in the telephone book. These hotlines are usually able to refer people to the appropriate resources in their area. In the Martinsville area the relevant numbers are:
Regional Behavioral Health Network
(866)-567-2400 www.rbhn.org