By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Colleen_Mihelich]Colleen Mihelich
We all love our pets dearly, they are members of our families. They are there waiting for us when we return home from our busy days with lots of love, licks and purrs. They give so much to us � joy, humor, a quiet friend, playfulness, knowing eyes and understanding. But when it comes time for them to leave this world they can sure leave big holes in our hearts.
"One of the biggest myths about the grief that accompanies pet loss is that it's somehow different than grieving the loss of a human. When we love and we lose that love, whether it's a human or an animal, we feel grief,"Marty Tousley, Bereavement Counselor.
Fortunately, it is becoming more acceptable in our society to grieve over our animals. As the owner of an online pet memorials website, I talk to grieving pet owners daily and have come to realize that finding a way to formally mark the passing of a cherished pet, whether with a pet grave marker or an urn, really helps the griever to move through a significant step in the grieving process. The ritual of visiting the grave marker or pausing to acknowledge the presence of an urn can provide a reconnection with the emotions of grief. This reconnection can be very healing and transformative.
Here are some suggestions for memorializing your pet and providing ritual for the healing process:
Save your pet�s collar, favorite toy(s) or any other objects that were meaningful to him. Find a special box to keep them in. Put the box in a place where it can be a gentle reminder of your love for him.
Create a garden or sanctuary in your yard where you can place a pet grave marker. Add a comfortable place to sit where you can meditate or just be quiet with your thoughts
Find a beautiful urn to keep some or all of your pet�s ashes in. You can permanently seal the urn shut with epoxy, or seal it with wax so that it can be opened again. Place the urn in a special place.
Plant a tree in memoriam to your pet. Some suggested trees are willows, which represent the beginning of spring, a hopeful sentiment in marking the passing of a loved one; palm trees to signify eternity; or fruit trees, which signify life and renewal.
Compile a photo album of all of the photos that you have of your pet. Write a farewell letter telling your pet what they mean to you, what you will miss about them, how they influenced your life, etc. Thank them for all of the gifts that they brought into your life and heart. Place this letter in the photo album as the first page.
You can decide to do any of these rituals at any time in the grieving process. Everyone moves through grief at their own pace. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Know that anything that you feel is okay, and that it does get easier in time.
In my daily experience with grieving pet owners, I continually hear the great anticipation with which people await the arrival of their memorial stones and urns. It is a bittersweet moment to open the package and unveil the formal token honoring the memory of their beloved pet. I am continually told how the placement of the marker or urn helps to ease the heartache and somehow brings a feeling of peace and calm.
Colleen Mihelich
Owner, Peternity . . . honoring your pet for eternity http://www.peternity.com [mailto:colleen@peternity.com]colleen@peternity.com 877-PET-PEACE
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