New York Pet Loss Support Services

30/11/2023

A few weeks ago I had the honor of again speaking at the annual Bideawee Pet Memorial Day program at their cemetery in Wantagh. Every year I’m awed by the number of people who come together to remember, to cry, to laugh, and to share the stories of their beloved pets. Even a downpour didn’t stop anyone from coming and celebrating the lives of their dogs, cats, birds and many other animal friends. Thanks to Bideawee for including me in this meaningful program.

The Bideawee Pet Memorial Park in Wantagh was the site for a memorial service to honor pets that have died. The cemetery is home to about 45,000 pets, including some celebrities like former President Richard Nixon's dog, Checkers. NewsdayTV's Steve Langford reports.

25/07/2023

This article reminds us that when it comes to our beloved pets, we are all the same. We love them, we care for them, and sadly the time comes when we grieve for them. And as Billie Eilish posted, “I’ll miss you forever.” As we all do. Sending love and support to Billie, her brother Finneas, and all who are grieving.

Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas said goodbye to Pepper, their beloved family dog who died over the weekend at age 15. 'A good, good dog,' he said.

09/04/2023

In my grief work with pet loss clients I have found that most pet parents experience guilt after having made the decision to put their beloved animal companions down. Not everyone feels this particular kind of guilt, but most do.
In this article, Karen Fine describes “hindsight bias.” Many of my clients speak of wishing they could have a “do-over.” If only we could go back in time and and do things differently. Even when we make the best decision we can at the time to end our pet’s suffering, it usually doesn’t feel ok afterward. We second-guess ourselves. We torment ourselves with “if only” and “why didn’t I.”
Karen Fine, a veterinarian, speaks in this article about her own experience with putting down her beloved cat Marula. I hope those of you who have had to put down your companion animals will find this comforting.

As a veterinarian, I counseled many people through the end of a beloved pet’s life. But when my cat got sick, it started a whole new journey.

21/07/2022

13/07/2022

Michael Gerson, nationally syndicated columnist for the Washington Post, wrote this article about his new love, Jack, “a powder puff of black and white.” But he writes in the context of the loss of his dog Latte, as he answers the question “Why do we take new dogs into our lives, knowing we will be decimated by their deaths.?” A beautiful reflection!

For most of my life I lived in dogless ignorance and would have mocked sentiments about intense cross-species friendships. How wrong I was.

13/07/2022

13/07/2022