Animal Attachment

Animal Behavior

Being Brave for Bailey: Children and the Death of Their Pets

Adam Clark LCSW, AASW on January 25, 2019

The death of a companion animal is difficult at best. How then, do we support our children through such an experience? An interview with Dr. Corey Gut on her approach with books.

The death of a companion animal is difficult at best. How then, do we support our children through such an experience? An interview with Dr. Corey Gut on her approach with books.

Grief

Why Are the Holidays So Hard While Grieving a Pet?

Adam Clark LCSW, AASW on December 23, 2018

Why does grief hurt so much more during the holidays? The death of a pet is no exception. Here's how to start moving through the pain.

Why does grief hurt so much more during the holidays? The death of a pet is no exception. Here's how to start moving through the pain.

Grief

Holiday Grief: 5 Steps for Getting Through the Loss of a Pet

Adam Clark LCSW, AASW on December 8, 2018

How do we grieve the death of a pet when we are expected to engage in so many holiday traditions?

How do we grieve the death of a pet when we are expected to engage in so many holiday traditions?

Grief

Complicated Grief: Losing Your Pets From a Lost Relationship

Adam Clark LCSW, AASW on October 15, 2017

Not all death is physical, especially when losing your pets due to an ended relationship. We grieve their loss yet they continue living. How to grieve, and heal, through the pain.

Not all death is physical, especially when losing your pets due to an ended relationship. We grieve their loss yet they continue living. How to grieve, and heal, through the pain.

Grief

4 Reasons Why Pet Loss Matters to the Helping Professional

Adam Clark LCSW, AASW on June 6, 2017

Should helping professionals equip themselves with the skills and understanding necessary to support their clients in the intricacy of pet loss? Here are four reasons they should.

Should helping professionals equip themselves with the skills and understanding necessary to support their clients in the intricacy of pet loss? Here are four reasons they should.

Animal Behavior

Natural Memorialization for Our Pets After They Pass

Adam Clark LCSW, AASW on April 12, 2017

It's hard to know what choice to make in caring for our pet's body after death. An interview with Rooted, a new living plant-based cremation service as an option for pet parents.

It's hard to know what choice to make in caring for our pet's body after death. An interview with Rooted, a new living plant-based cremation service as an option for pet parents.

Grief

What If the Pain of Pet Loss Becomes Too Much to Bear?

Adam Clark LCSW, AASW on April 5, 2017

Experiencing the death of a pet is a profound and painful experience. Sometimes, we need a little extra help to get us through. Learn when to contact a professional.

Experiencing the death of a pet is a profound and painful experience. Sometimes, we need a little extra help to get us through. Learn when to contact a professional.

Animal Behavior

Hospice and Natural Death For Our Pets: An Expert Interview

Adam Clark LCSW, AASW on March 29, 2017

What happens when pet owners look for an alternative to euthanasia? An interview with Gail Pope, founder of BrightHaven Animal Sanctuary and Hospice, explores these alternatives.

What happens when pet owners look for an alternative to euthanasia? An interview with Gail Pope, founder of BrightHaven Animal Sanctuary and Hospice, explores these alternatives.

Grief

Incomplete Endings: Coping With a Runaway or Lost Pet 

Adam Clark LCSW, AASW on March 25, 2017

Mistakes happen when dogs get out, cats escape, or the gerbil runs away. Not knowing where your companion animal may be, or how they are doing, present unique challenges in grief.

Mistakes happen when dogs get out, cats escape, or the gerbil runs away. Not knowing where your companion animal may be, or how they are doing, present unique challenges in grief.

Relationships

Support, Nurture & Love: Talking to Children About Pet Loss

Adam Clark LCSW, AASW on March 15, 2017

Knowing how to support children through the death of a pet can be incredibly intimidating. Explore the best way to support children through the pain of pet loss, in a healthy way.

Knowing how to support children through the death of a pet can be incredibly intimidating. Explore the best way to support children through the pain of pet loss, in a healthy way.

Grief

My Pet Died and I Can't Stop Crying

Adam Clark LCSW, AASW on March 12, 2017

After experiencing the death of a pet, our grief can be overwhelming. It's healthy to cry as we face our loss. Explore why we cry for our companion animals and how to heal.

After experiencing the death of a pet, our grief can be overwhelming. It's healthy to cry as we face our loss. Explore why we cry for our companion animals and how to heal.

Friends

6 Ways to Say "I Care" to Friends Who Are Facing Pet Loss

Adam Clark LCSW, AASW on March 9, 2017

For friends grieving the death of a pet, comments are too often made that end up harming instead of healing. Here are six ways to tell your friends you care, without the hurt.

For friends grieving the death of a pet, comments are too often made that end up harming instead of healing. Here are six ways to tell your friends you care, without the hurt.

Guilt

Blame, Shame, and Guilt: Making Decisions for Our Pets

Adam Clark LCSW, AASW on March 7, 2017

Why do we place so much blame, shame, and guilt upon ourselves? Making decisions on behalf of our pet is important, especially in sickness or end of life. Here's how to process.

Why do we place so much blame, shame, and guilt upon ourselves? Making decisions on behalf of our pet is important, especially in sickness or end of life. Here's how to process.

Grief

Losing a Pet Due to Divorce or Breakup

Adam Clark LCSW, AASW on March 1, 2017

Grief presents itself in many forms, including the feelings of loss after a breakup or divorce. We grieve for our partner's pets when they are no longer in our lives.

Grief presents itself in many forms, including the feelings of loss after a breakup or divorce. We grieve for our partner's pets when they are no longer in our lives.

Animal Behavior

Euthanasia: How Do I Know When the Time Is Right for My Pet?

Adam Clark LCSW, AASW on February 25, 2017

Making the choice of euthanasia can be one of the hardest choices a pet owner will ever have to face. Explore what goes into making such a decision and a few skills to help.

Making the choice of euthanasia can be one of the hardest choices a pet owner will ever have to face. Explore what goes into making such a decision and a few skills to help.

Sleep

Exhausted Grief: Can't Sleep After the Death of a Pet

Adam Clark LCSW, AASW on February 23, 2017

Sleeping after experiencing the death of your pet is elusive for many. Here are healthy ways to encourage our body, even in the grief process, to get a good night's rest.

Sleeping after experiencing the death of your pet is elusive for many. Here are healthy ways to encourage our body, even in the grief process, to get a good night's rest.

Grief

99 Nurturing Activities Helpful During the Grief Process

Adam Clark LCSW, AASW on February 21, 2017

When we are experiencing grief over a loss, it is easy to lose track of what can bring us comfort. Here are 99 healthy suggestions to nurture yourself while you're grieving.

When we are experiencing grief over a loss, it is easy to lose track of what can bring us comfort. Here are 99 healthy suggestions to nurture yourself while you're grieving.

Grief

9 Myths About Pet Loss and What the Truth Really Is

Adam Clark LCSW, AASW on February 17, 2017

There are many misconceptions when it comes to grieving the loss of our pets. Explore nine common myths that pet owners face, alongside the truth.

There are many misconceptions when it comes to grieving the loss of our pets. Explore nine common myths that pet owners face, alongside the truth.

Animal Behavior

The Cultural Stigma of Pet Loss and Grieving Their Death

Adam Clark LCSW, AASW on February 14, 2017

Grieving the death of our pet is hard enough without extra judgment. Explore the broader concepts of why many people face stigma when it comes to pet loss.

Grieving the death of our pet is hard enough without extra judgment. Explore the broader concepts of why many people face stigma when it comes to pet loss.

Grief

7 Self-Care Essentials While Grieving the Death of a Pet

Adam Clark LCSW, AASW on February 13, 2017

The death of your pet and companion animal can be just as painful as losing a family member. Here are seven essential self-care strategies to help you through.

The death of your pet and companion animal can be just as painful as losing a family member. Here are seven essential self-care strategies to help you through.