| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 3182.1 | | CAPNET::ANDERSON | | Wed Dec 27 1989 18:28 | 37 |
| I think the idea of Bereavement Counseling is wonderful and very
much needed.
Yesterday I took the day off and on the television program 'Attitudes'
there was a woman who had to put her dog "Snoopy" to sleep. Through
the help of her vet they chose the 'time' .... and helped each other
through the process.
The woman told her story - with tears in her eyes and trying to stay
in control - of how painful it was....to end the relationship of
her best friend. As the vet was beginning the process she (the vet)
had to stop and told the woman she would have her assistant finish.
The woman said 'no'...that the dog loved her and she knew she loved
the dog...and wanted her to continue. The licked her owners face
as the process was being done...until he died. I cried my eyes
out....it was such a loving, beautiful, poignant story - and my
heart went out to her.
Her vet gave her the name of a Bereavement Counselor which the
woman went to (a counselor was on the program with her...holding
her arm as she told the story) and said they helped her tremendously.
I believe the counselor said that a 'Delta Society' exists in
Washington (didn't get if it was the State or Washington, D.C.) that
people in the U.S. could call to get the name of their local
Bereavement Counseling Program.
I am so happy that this file exists and that this note was posted.
I love my cats more and more each day...and love them with every
thing I have...because as I fully well know, there will come a time
when theirlives will end and I hope I have the courage and strength
to be unselfish and let them die with dignity.
For now, though, we live life to the fullest.
Marilyn
|
| 3182.2 | Delta Society (s?) | GLINKA::GREENE | Catmax = Catmax + 1 | Wed Dec 27 1989 18:34 | 8 |
| off the topic a bit, but there are two Delta Societies. One deals
with human-pet interactions, such as the reduction in blood pressure
among elderly who pet animals. This is probably the same society
mentioned in .1. Does anyone have a phone number for them? I'd
like to find out more about them and their programs, and perhaps
they could also get on our Silver Lining list.
Pennie
|
| 3182.3 | | CRUISE::NDC | DTN: 297-2313 | Thu Dec 28 1989 10:46 | 5 |
| I caught that Attitudes show myself about a month or so ago. It
was a very thoughtful segment and I was glad to hear one of the
hostesses of the show comment on the callous remarks that people
make to someone grieving over the loss of a pet.
Nancy DC
|
| 3182.4 | Pet Loss Pamphlets | BRAT::JOSEPHSON | | Thu Dec 28 1989 18:44 | 13 |
| I have two pamphlets regarding pet loss that I received when my
Aime died two months ago. They were sent to me by a humane society
I donated money to in her name.
If anyone would like copies of these two pamphlets, please let me
know and I will gladly make a copy to send you.
After Aime died, I went to a crisis group for counseling and one
of the books recommended was Judith Viorst's book "Necessary Losses".
It was hard to get into at first but it does have some helpful
things in it.
Nancy
|
| 3182.5 | | PAXVAX::MAIEWSKI | | Thu Dec 28 1989 19:53 | 10 |
| I've found that when I loose a pet, I give myself a few months and then I go
get a new one. The timing is important. If you get one too soon, you will still
be too sad about the old one to appreciate the new one. However if you wait too
long, that's not good either.
Also, I don't try to get exactly the same pet as before. I would get a cat to
replace a cat but it would not have to be the same color or breed. I like to
let it be a new cat and a new experience.
George
|
| 3182.6 | when to get a new pet depends on the person.... | CRUISE::NDC | DTN: 297-2313 | Wed Jan 03 1990 11:06 | 24 |
|
I think that the timing of a new pet is different for every
person. When I was 9 we had our cocker spaniel put to sleep
(she was very sick) and two days later we went to the MSPCA and
adopted Lassie - our collie mix.
When I lost my Kathryn - Friday night 12/28/1978 - I had Bumpy-tail
by 12/30 (Sunday). For two days I burst into tears everytime I
turned down the street and came home to an empty apartment. The
place seemed dead without a little furry companion to greet me at
the door. I couldn't stand it. I had met Bumpy the night I brought
Kathryn to the MSPCA for cremation - she was the only Black and WHite
cat in the place (Kathryn was black and white) but I couldn't bring
another cat home that night. Bumpy's personality is nothing like
Kathryn's was but she's a very loving cat and has had a wonderful
healing effect on me. I still miss Kathryn, but Bumpy helped me
keep loving rather than sealing it off.
So I think that when to get a new pet is very personal and varies
a great deal with situation and personality. You'll know when its
right to get another kitty. Trust your gut feelings.
Nancy DC
|