Grieving the Death of a Pet

by Betty J. Carmack

The death of a pet brings a special kind of grief.Today more than ever, the beloved animal companions who walk with us through life are dear and loving friends, as close to us in some ways as family members. For this reason, the death of a pet can bring a powerful sense of grief and loss, as devastating in its own way as any other grief we can experience. Those who experience the death of a pet need special guidance through the difficult emotions that can come immediately following the loss, or a long time later.In Grieving the Death of a Pet, Betty J. Carmack treats the loss of a pet with the seriousness and gentleness that it deserves and that pet lovers need. Drawing on her own experience, and on interviews with dozens of pet lovers, she guides the reader through the initial loss of a pet to the dawning of new hope and reassurance.

Genres: Nonfiction, Death, Animals, Grief

150 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2002

Reviews

[Kotryna · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I don’t know the purpose yet. It may take some time to be seen. Part of it could be teaching me not to be surprised at how deep grief can be over something that you actually thought you had prepared for. Sometimes you don’t realize the depth of your love for someone until you have to grieve their loss. Having gone through this with my pet, the most devastating thing in my life up until now, maybe I’ll realize a little sooner that there wasn’t anything more I had to say or do. I did everything I could.” ❤️‍🩹

[Belles Middle Grade Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing read. I read a chapter or two aloud for me and my husband every night, or every other night depending. Nothing can “help” or “make it better” in any way. But this book gave me hope that I will be ok maybe one day. It was so crazy seeing so many things that I myself have said/thought/felt during this time written on these pages-others who have said/thought/felt the same as me. I felt less alone, & knowing others had felt exactly the same, & were still able to go on gave me a hope that I hold on to that at least a form of healing one day can happen. I felt by the end of the book like I knew all of the people & their pets whose stories are shared. I felt such a connection. That includes the author who shares some of her own experiences-not only with her own pets, but as someone who had a pet loss counseling practice. She also has some of her own poems sprinkled throughout the book that were very moving. So happy I found this book. Highly recommend if you’ve unfortunately also lost a beloved animal.💜

[Y · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually my first book that I read about the topic of grieving and loss, and it was very helpful. It is written in a way that it almost seems like you are at a group therapy class being exposed to other people sharing their griefs of the loss of their loved animal companion.

[Tisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful to those who have lost a beloved pet.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I pick this book up now and then whenever I'm having a hard time. My sweet boy passed away 3 months ago in a tragic way. This book touches more on tragic and unexpected deaths than other books I've read. That has been very big comfort to me. She quotes many other pet owners throughout, and there have been countless times that I've been awestruck at how accurate they've put my feelings into words.
This book has helped me to embrace my sorrow at times and to feel those raw emotions.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read about grief and the greiving process. Short chapters give the reader a chance to take a break from the material. The book is structured with many stories of those with death and loss experiences, which feels as if you're sitting with a support group. A book to help makes sense of a painful emotional time, and revisit as emotions progress and time passes.

Recommend not only for the subject of pet loss, but greiving in general.

[Charlotte Falkner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast read, and somehow the author was able to incorporate people's stories in a way that never works for me. It was good if for no other reason than affirming that all of my feet and thoughts are the same as other people's. I knew people grieved in similar ways but this book showed me how exactly the same losing a pet can be.

[Vincent D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wife and I read this book little by little after our dog passed away after losing his life to heart failure. We were (and still are) a wreck. This book will help you start healing but also makes you cry with shared stories of loving and grieving your pet. I would recommend for anyone who has lost a beloved companion.

[Pandaduh · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it has religious threads and overtones, it is done in a comforting way that I could appreciate and see the intent behind. I really liked how it went into the grey areas of pet euthanasia decisions, about the guilt afterwards. The best book I've read so far that explores guilt.

[Rocio Guerrero]

Quiero leerlo

[Jeanine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a helpful book for anyone who has lost a pet. It describes the grieving process, in its different steps. It talks about the time before your pet dies & the different possible scenarios. It talks about the time immediately after losing your pet. It also talks about the healing process. I like that it stresses how there are many different ways for people to grieve, and that they are all normal, no matter what you feel or how you choose to honor your pet. I like that there are many anecdotes by different people, all who share their own experiences before and after their pets die. It was very helpful for me to read this book, since I recently lost my own cat. It helped me to feel less alone and normal in everything I have been growing through.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband picked this up for me at the library on the day we had to put our cat to sleep (second in two months). I took my time read it because I wanted to absorb as much as I could. It talks a lot about the decision to put a pet to sleep and living with that decision. Ultimately, I knew that putting my kitty to sleep was the best thing for her but I felt guilty about possibly doing it too soon, even though she couldn't walk.

This book really helped me get through the first six weeks after losing my cat. If found myself going back and reading parts over again just to make myself feel better. It was the sort of reassurance I really needed at that time.

[Cory · Rating 4 out of 5]

A blurb for this book observes, "I was crying before I finished the introduction," and they're not kidding. If you've ever truly loved and lost a companion animal, don't be surprised to find yourself weeping openly from the get-go. The author begins by relating her own heart-wrenching story, establishing her credibility on the topic and serving as a launching point for the others whose stories of loss fill the pages. The value of this book is not in its ability to help you make difficult decisions or to offer self-help solutions, but to gently reassure mourning pet-parents that they aren't crazy or alone in their grief.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was definitely much crying while reading this. Some parts were very touching others were like a pet grief textbook. I liked that many different types of pets were included. The part that seemed to help me the most was reading the lengths others have gone through to care for their aging pets.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book yesterday and can't put it down! This book has become my security blanket and has given me strength and confidence to carry on after the death of my beloved Barley Sue. I highly recommend this book to anyone suffering the loss of a loved "furry baby".

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I figured I could use all the help I can get at this point, but this was written (or at least read more) like a college level psych 101 class. Was more touched by the cover photo than any of the stories inside.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took me forever to read this 100-page book because I couldn't help crying whenever I opened it. Lots of good examples but there really isn't anything written that can truly help someone cope with the grief of losing soul mates.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book affirming and comforting as I struggled with the decision of euthanasia for my rescue dog. It contains the stories of other pet lovers before and after the loss of their pet. It was helpful before and after my dog was gone.

[Star · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me get through a very difficult time as I was having to come to grips with losing the best animal friend I have ever known.