Long Island Pet Loss Support Services

26/02/2025

I often share stories of famous people who have lost their pets, making the point that we have all had, or will have, the same experience of dealing with the loss of our beloved pets. This story is a bit different–it’s the story of how one dog brought together an entire city, with a happy ending. But that ultimately speaks to the issue of pet loss. It is not only the loss of our pets that brings us together, but it their very existence, as exemplified in the story of Scrim, the New Orleans dog that touched everyone in that city.

Scrim the dog, known for his escape antics, has captured the hearts and minds of the New Orleans community. NBC News’ Hallie Jackson has the story.For more c...

25/01/2025

I often share stories of celebrities who have lost their beloved pets (Queen Camilla last December and Jon Stewart a year ago, for example). This is not because celebrities are special, but rather because when it comes to owning, and losing, a pet, they are no different than the rest of us, people coping with the loss and moving forward with the memories and meaning which our animal companions brought to our lives. This story is about a celebrity who is mourning the loss not of his pet, but of his character’s pet. Ricky Gervais worked with the German shepherd Vislor Antilly for three seasons on the show After Life. The dog, known as Anti in real life and Brandy in TV life, passed away at the age of 13, leading Gervais to say, “I’m so glad that I told her a hundred times a day that she was a very good girl.” The loving relationship which we have with our pets, or in many cases with animals that we know through friends, relatives, or yes, even television shows, is part of what connects us all, celebrities or not!

The German shepherd, born in Herefordshire, played Brandy in three seasons of the Netflix comedy.

13/12/2024

What matters is the joy our pets bring, “whether on walkies, helping on official duties, or curled up by the fire.” Even if we don’t have official duties, having our animal companions by our side enhances our lives, and losing them is painful. We are reminded that the queen and all pet owners share in common the grief, and the love.

Queen Camilla left ‘heartbroken’ after her beloved Jack Russell is put down - The terrier was adopted by Camilla from the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, along with her other dog Bluebell

21/11/2024

The primary focus of this article is not about the process of grieving for a pet. Yet in describing how pet ownership has grown in popularity in South Korea, we see a glimpse of why the loss of a pet can ultimately be so overwhelming. As noted in this article, “No matter how old the dog is when it dies, it is still a child to its human family,” said Kim Wonseob, a pet mortician. We may not all agree with Kang Hyeon-ji, who said “I feel more attached to my dogs than to my husband,” but we all understand the passionate connection that we build with our animal companions.

They have become pampered family members in South Korea, which has the world’s lowest birthrate and where much of the population lives alone.

15/05/2024

Our website is temporarily down. Please visit our sister site, New York Pet Loss Support Services for more information.

New York Pet Loss Support Services offers a three-session online program to help New Yorkers cope with the loss of their pets.

27/02/2024

All of us who have lost a pet know the pain that comes with that loss. And we know that at that time of great sadness, we are also reminded of the love, the memories, and the meaning that those pets brought to our lives. Jon Stewart lost his beloved Dipper this week, and he shared his thoughts and feelings in this emotional reflection. This reminds us that we all share this common humanity, our love for our pets and the special place they hold in our hearts.

Jon Stewart bids a tearful goodbye to Dipper, his best boy and Daily Show OG. to The Daily Show:https://www.youtube.c...

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.

11/08/2022

I am pleased to announce that Long Island Pet Loss Support Services is now offering bereavement support for all New Yorkers. Please visit New York Pet Loss Support Services for more information. Long Islanders, if you have friends or family in other parts of New York State that could benefit from our services, please share this link. I can help you move ahead in your life, not by “getting over it,” but by turning your grief into warm memories and empowering you to feel whole again.

Have you suffered the loss of a beloved pet? I am a Social Worker offering a 3-session program to he

31/07/2022

21/07/2022

Excited to share that I am now providing pet loss support to New Yorkers across the state. The transition to online sessions has been very well received, and gives me the opportunity to help those beyond Long Island. Please spread the word to those you know in New York who may benefit.

Have you suffered the loss of a beloved pet? I am a Social Worker offering a 3-session program to he

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

11/08/2021

COVID has impacted all of our lives in so many ways. This article focuses on some pet owners whose change in status to work-from-home enabled them to share more time with their beloved pets. And by including the stories of people in the United States as well as Germany and Australia, we are reminded of the universality of the relationship we have with our pets.

Pet loss counselor Kaleel Sakakeeny said, “I had five times more people reaching out to me when their pet passed during the pandemic because it brought to the surface all the other losses they didn’t give themselves permission to grieve.”

17/09/2020

I was honored to speak at Bideawee's annual Pet Memorial Day Ceremony last Sunday. Unlike previous years, everyone participated virtually this time, and it was so moving to see more than 200 participants log in to be a part. If you’re not familiar with Bideawee, they are a wonderful organization whose primary mission is “rescuing, caring for, and placing homeless cats and dogs with people who love them.” They also have a beautiful pet cemetery in Wantagh, where the ceremony usually takes place. I hope you will take the time to watch the recording of the event. FYI, my portion begins at about 12:25. Thank you, Bideawee, for the opportunity, and for the wonderful work you do.

05/05/2020

Losing a beloved pet is always excruciating. The author of this article lost her cocker spaniel rescue dog during the COVID 19 pandemic. She movingly writes about feeling guilty for grieving her loss while human beings around her are dying from a devastating and frightening disease. How can she dare to feel such deep grief over her dog? But she has every right to her grief. As dog owners know, our relationships with our pets is deep and unwavering. And losing a pet during this pandemic doesn’t mean that we aren’t allowed to feel the shock, trauma and desolation that inevitably comes. The pain is even deeper now, when this loss might be trivialized by others who just don’t get it. As human beings we experience all kinds of feelings, and no one has the right to judge the feelings of others. We all need to be compassionate, especially at this time. And that includes being compassionate to yourself if you’ve lost a pet.

"I feel like I’m not supposed to grieve Cassie’s death as intensely or profoundly as I do ― especially during a pandemic."

23/04/2020

We are living in stressful times. Unfortunately the Covid 19 situation just adds to the anxiety and sadness of losing a beloved pet. LI Pet Loss Support Services is offering their three-session program virtually for those grieving the loss of their pets during this difficult time. Contact Janet Zimmerman through this page or visit us at LIPetloss.com for information.