When It's Time to Say Goodbye: Preparing for the Transition of Your Beloved Pet

Description

Practical guidance and compassionate support for pet owners before, during, and after the death of a beloved companion animal * Explores how best to prepare for the death of your pet, including recognizing changes in your animal's well-being, palliative care at home, taking care of your pet's remains, ceremonies, and more * Offers practical exercises and activities, such as what to discuss with the vet when euthanasia is anticipated, how to retain a center of inner calm when making decisions, and how to find the courage to say goodbye when the time comes * Addresses the emotional components of the bereavement process--fears beforehand, guilt and anger afterward--and offers advice on self-care throughout Our pets are members of our families. The death or separation from a beloved animal friend--whether anticipated or unexpected--can unleash a roller coaster of emotions. In this compassionate guide based on 20 years' experience helping individuals and teaching veterinary professionals, Angela Garner offers practical support and guidance to help you prepare for your pet's death ahead of time, do your best by your animal friend when the time comes, and work through your grieving process afterward. The author explores how best to prepare for the death of your beloved pet, including recognizing changes in your pet's well-being, palliative care at home, taking care of your pet's remains, ceremonies, and more. She discusses natural death and euthanasia and offers exercises and activities to help you work through difficult issues, such as what to discuss with the vet and how to stay focused on your pet's welfare when euthanasia is anticipated. Sharing her own experiences and those of others, she explores practices to help you cope with fears and overwhelming emotions, retain a center of inner calm when making crucial decisions, and find the courage to say goodbye when it is time. Angela Garner also addresses the different emotional components of the bereavement process--fears beforehand and guilt and anger afterward--and includes a compassionate discussion about children and pet loss as well as how to support a grieving companion animal in the family. Offering step-by-step support throughout, this guide brings hope and reassurance that, while grief may feel insurmountable, you will come out the other side to once again reengage with life.

Angela Garner, animal bereavement specialist and former nurse, founded a national support service in the UK to help people through the grieving process, developing a wide range of pet bereavement support resources. Awarded a fellowship by the Society of Bereavement Practitioners for her work, she lives in Devon, UK.

"Most pet owners know how painful it is to lose a much-loved animal companion, and I am pleased that all those who suffer this unique loss can now benefit from the compassion and support that runs throughout When It's Time to Say Goodbye: Preparing for the Transition of Your Beloved Pet by Angela Garner. Every aspect of loss is touched on, all with Angela's special blend of understanding, practicality, and empathy. I recommend it for all pet owners to help them through the inevitable sad loss of their beloved pet." * Melinda Hill, founder and project manager of Environmental Animal Sanctuary and Education (EASE) * "I am impressed by Angela's approach to this delicate subject. She has a solid grasp of the many different aspects to be considered and discussed with owners who need support when losing their companion." * Dr. Shannon Gaffaney, BVetMed, member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS) * "In her beautiful book, When It's Time to Say Goodbye: Preparing for the Transition of Your Beloved Pet, Angela Garner gives a very comprehensive and thorough guide to pet loss. She gently and caringly holds the reader's hand through all the difficult aspects while offering simple and practical advice. Angela's holistic approach focuses on the well-being of both people and their pets prior to bereavement, and she offers a unique understanding of how grief affects us and how to cope with the distress it brings. She validates pet loss and treats it with the same significance as the loss of a human loved one. I will definitely recommend this book to any of my clients who face the loss of their pet." * Deirdre Chitwood, Tellington TTouch practitioner for companion animals, Level 2 (Guild certified) * "Humans are meant to outlive their pets, but what do we do when the death of our companion looms? Angela Garner's advice on how to support ourselves, our children, and other family pets through the grieving process is wise and compassionate." * Jesse Sternberg, mindfulness teacher, master dog trainer, and founder of the Peaceful Alpha Project * "A conversation about our pets passing on is uncomfortable for most of us. It is one we tend to avoid even the thought of until the time might be upon us. When It's Time to Say Goodbye empowers and guides people at a very emotional time, before and after an animal has passed. Saving the guardian unnecessary toil and emotional trauma, the information and activities in this book prepare and steer you step by step with sensitivity. Long overdue, this guide will be an immense help and support for many at a difficult time. A MUST read for every pet owner." * Diane Budd,, animal communicator, healer, and author of Energy Medicine for Animals: The Bioenergeti * "An absolutely essential read for anyone with an animal companion, When It's Time to Say Goodbye: Preparing for the Transition of Your Beloved Pet is especially and unreservedly recommended for all community library Pets/Wildlife collections." * Midwest Book Review *