Proper farewell for Fido!
Help for those who hurt!!
No one likes to think of losing their dog to old age, disease or whatever might take them from you. However, the reality is that someday your dog will pass away and the grief will be as real and painful as the loss of any other family member. That loss is recognized and acknowledged by more and more people in the pet industry, both through profit and nonprofit organizations. And they are responding to the needs of people to find the proper way to honor the memories and help us grieve for the dogs we have loved.
The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement is “a nonprofit association of concerned volunteers who are experienced and knowledgeable in the tender subject of pet death”. They provide many services for those of us that have experienced the loss of a pet. From online chat with others who have lost pets to nationwide listings of pet cemeteries and crematories, the mission of this organization is to provide information, support and comfort to anyone who needs it due to a loss of their beloved dog.
Many people are choosing to honor their dogs with traditional memorial services and funerals that had previously only been for human family members. Bill Remkus is the owner of Hinsdale Pet Cemetary in Illinois and they frequently accomodate pet burial services for families. At Hinsdale, a typical funeral costs about $500, and that includes the cost of the gravesite as well.
The APLB mentioned above is a no fee member organization. They have grief counselors to help families cope, special information for children who have lost pets, newsletters and training programs if you want to be someone who can help others deal with this significant loss in their lives.
I was going to write this entry solely about dealing with the modern funerals for today’s dogs, but the issue of the death of the family pet is so much deeper and important than the ceremonial aspect that I wanted my readers to be aware of what is out there to help them, if they ever have the need!!!
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