Saturday, January 15, 2011

Blog for Change: When it's time to say goodbye



One of the inevitabilities of sharing your life with animals is loss. When I first started this blog, it was to help me process the loss of our Gilly. Right around that time, my friends, Sharon and Seth, started their service blog, Letters to Pushkin. Pushkin was Sharon's beloved beagle, who inspired her to go to law school to specialize in animal rights and continues to inspire her actions.

Also at around the same time, my friend, Kristine, lost her greyhound, Tiny Girl. We processed our grief together with the aid of her horse, Bianca. Kristine provides a service that is unique in her role as a celebrant. She helps people celebrate the transitions in their lives through Sweetgrass Ceremonies. One service she provides is helping people with the loss of their beloved animal companions through such practical knowledge as where you can find a place to cremate your friend's remains, and helping with ceremonies to celebrate their lives.

When you lose your beloved friend, remember:
www.letterstopushkin.com
www.sweetgrassceremonies.com.

8 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing today! We never want to think of the inevitable, but pet loss happens. I'm glad to know there are humans out there who work to help others deal with their grief.

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  2. That is very cool. Our Mama says a lot of people don't understand how hard it is to lose a pet, and that it should just be a small issue... but it is a HUGE sadness for most people! This is a nice way for people to have a ceremony and acknowledge that losing a pet is a real, true loss.

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  3. Thanks Sebastian, Trixie, Lily, and Sammy-Joe. I'm just glad these are here and felt it a good time to share.

    and now let the good times roll (that's from Ellie)

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  4. What great help! Pet loss is so devastating, and the needs are so varied and great at that time. Thanks for sharing this with us!!

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  5. Hi I found you on the Saturday Pet Blog Hop and was really interested in the two sites you linked to about pet loss.

    Letters to Pushkin is a lovely idea and I'm now following on Twitter (as @LostandFond which is the UK pet loss tribute site my owner has started).

    Love and Licks, Winnie the greyhound

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  6. Grief can be such a hard thing to understand and work through, I find it can be especially hard after the loss of a pet. I think your friend's service is wonderful and I am sure it helps many people say their last goodbyes. It is not an easy thing to do for others, but it is so kind. My thoughts are with her as she goes through her own grief. May she be as well taken care of during this difficult time.

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  7. Thanks for stopping and for sharing your thoughts. The two photos here are our most recent losses, Gilly, and Socks.

    Letters to Pushkin and Sweetgrass Ceremonies are also both on FB.


    Be well and namaste...

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