The Loss of a Pet: A Guide to Coping with the Grieving Process When a Pet Dies

This book was recommended for me by the APLB.org website & its counsellors. I did find it useful. The author wrote it because he lost his own dachshund and the feelings of grief and loss simply overwhelmed him, too. I think I was too stunned to absorb a lot of the information when I first lost my dog, however the usefulness of having a book to refer to when I needed to vent cannot be underestimated. I will say that because he is an educated man, the language at times felt a bit stiff and unemotional. This is a tough time for a pet owner, and the value will come from being able to read passages as time goes on and I try to readjust to living without my very best friend for the last 15 years :( :( :(

This book, used but in very good condition, will be very helpful for me, having lost a dear cat just 2.5 months ago. I just received it today and skimmed through it briefly. This book will be very helpful in my grieving process.

I am not sure it was the right book for me; too many extremities as examples in my opinion. FOR example, the concentration in large part on religion, as well being suggestive that most of us might need therapy because we are suffering pain or suicidal thoughts at the loss of our beloved pets and don't quite know how to cope without professional help. Definitely written by a therapist that much too often suggested our pain might come from some underlying issue in our childhoods, abuse, or some such issue.I bought this book at the suggestion of a good friend who was trying to ease my pain. I just wanted some comfort and reassurance, but I didn't really get it until near the end. As an otherwise stable person who did not need so much analysis as to the fact my feelings were normal, I found myself wishing it would focus more on a regular everyday person's emotion, as in how to deal with their loss effectively and without so much psychobabble.That said, there was comfort to be found, and I did find the author's empathy for all living beings a saving grace in what might seem an otherwise detached writing style. A lot of how to deal with my (so far) two day grief of having to euthanize my 8yr old dog was common sense, I already knew it; I've been there before, but what I did appreciate was the chapter on euthanasia. My puppy was already dying, so I had no choice, but it did help me come to terms with the process and some doubts I may have had about keeping him around too long after the initial signs - when I thought there was still hope as he was young and is it came from nowhere very suddenly and rapidly.Also, most unexpectedly, because I still feel the need to care for a pet means I will probably will get another one soon, and so, after reading a chapter about that, I no longer feel the guilt I did this morning when looking through adoption sites. Not to replace my puppy, by ANY means; I never could, or would; I already planned to get another when he was older, as the book also suggests eases the pain when the older one finally dies, but I didn't get that opportunity. The fact, that it is, apparently, healthy for some people who know why they need a wee one in their life, like I do, to think about bringing in another one so soon was most unexpected and did indeed appease the guilt I was feeling about just that. It is exactly what I did when my last dog died, bringing him in at nine weeks old, almost immediately, and I now no longer feel any guilt about doing that then either.Also, I did like the sentiment about afterlife of otherwise loyal and loving beings; that appealed to me greatly.Overall, I don't know if taking a day off work and reading a book–any book–was simply the therapy I needed to snap out of my misery a little–if so, then reading this one at least accomplished that.

This is the pre-eminent tome on understanding the assorted issues related to losing a pet; making the decision to have a pet euthanized; & navigating the stages of pet loss & bereavement. It is the text used for the online certification course on pet loss & bereavement counseling, rigorously taught by the author. The book also contains ample resources related to caring for pets at the end of life, including hospice & palliative care. The author, Dr. Walter Sife, is also the founder of the Association for Pet Loss & Bereavement (APLB). APLB is referenced throughout the book & is a valuable online resource for help coping with pet loss.

I'm so happy that this book was printed in the USA. It's a quality paperback. I've just started reading it today and it's very helpful. I'm considering buying it in the future when someone I know looses a pet.

This book did provide some very good information yet I do not feel it is the best selection for someone who recently lost a companion animal. It is very clinical and less than comforting. I will also say I looked into the training that is offered and was less than impressed with the responses I received related to questions I had. I would recommend the book to someone interested in teaching support groups for clinical information yet would not recommend it for someone who is in the grief process. There are several areas the author is very biased in his beliefs. While I believe he is free to express his beliefs related to animal communication I do not think it is fair to cast judgement on others. Do not say people believe in magic and that animal communication is cleaver illusion and slight of hand entertainment. I would hope he and the people who conduct the support groups do so with more compassion. His book is the only book that is suggested on the Pet Loss Support web site. There are many excellent books out there to support people through the grief process as well as many support groups. Reach out you do not have to do this alone. Books I would suggest are Goodby Friend, Gary Kowalski, I'll Always Love You, Hans Wilhelm and Tear Soup A Recipe For Healing After Loss, Pat Schwiebert and Chuck DeKlyen (Tear Soul is not specific to our animals yet it is a wonderful book about loss and grief) Check in your area for support groups and ask at your local animal shelter. If they do not have one ask that they start a support group. Sharing our grief works to help us move on.

I lost my dog when she escaped from the car and was hit by a car on the road. My pain at losing her was much greater because of my guilt at letting her escape the car. This book was just what I needed when for my grief and guilt. I have since used it to help others with their grief.

A lot of rambling in this unnecessarilylong book, which is ambitious in content but just tries to cover too much.A prime example is the over-ambitious and unsatisfying chapter on Religion and the Death of Pets, which concentrates on Judeo-Christian perspectives. Unitarian and Zen Buddhist perspectives are very briefly included but rely on long quotes from others, with little or no commentary from the author. Not at all considered are Islamic, Sikh, Humanist, Quaker, non-Zen Buddhist, or many other religious perspectives.What is very helpful in this book are the Quality of Life Scale and the 13-page chapter on practical suggestions. The latter includes some very helpful suggestions like writing a letter to a pet, establishing new routines, or making a memorial garden spot. Other suggestions, like getting rid of all the pets things rather than keeping mementos will be helpful for some, but cannot be assumed to be universally applicable as the author indirectly states. So approach even this useful chapter with caution.Overall, an ok book to be used in conjunction with others on the subject, but don't look to this as your only or primary resource.

An EXCELLENT book, written by a Psychologist renowned authority on pet bereavement. I recently had to put down my beloved cat, Olive, and my husband, son and my hearts are still broken and hurting. I needed help understanding what/why I was feeling and reading this book has been a tremendous help to me, I felt as though it was written just for me. Dr. Sife covers so many topics that every person who reads this book will find their answers to their situations they're going through. I haven't finished reading this book, however I know I will continue to find comfort in the words written in this book, and I will be able to help my husband and son as well. I strongly recommend this book.

excellent book, very sensitively written and provides many thoughtful examples and suggestions. Most of all it shows a true understanding of the traumatic loss of a pet.

Wonderful practical suggestions on how to cope with the loss of a animal.