I Lost My Best Friend Today

Pet Loss Is Devastating,There Are Ways To Help Ease Your Pain... Dear friend, I wonder if you can relate to some of the stories in this book... * Was the decision to euthanize your pet one of the hardest things you've ever done? * Do you have an old or terminally ill pet who you cannot stand the thought of losing? * Do you find yourself denying the inevitable or wondering how you will ever be able to handle the loss when they are gone? * Is your child struggling to understand the death of their pet? * Do you wish you could find the words to comfort a grieving friend or family member who lost a beloved pet, but you don't know what to say to show your support without appearing to trivialize their pain? * Did the loss of your animal best friend trigger unhappy memories or unresolved conflicts of loss from years ago? * Did you find that you were more upset over losing a pet, than losing a parent or relative? All of the contributors knew their pets were more than just animals... they are our closest friends, constant companions, and integral members of the family. Just one of the comments about the book "I can't share how sad I am about my dog, because my co-workers will think I am crazy. But, on the other hand, I inquire about their child's cold and buy their stupid Girl Scout cookies to support them. It isn't fair! Oh God, please don't let me start crying at work again. I heard someone call me a drama queen and say; It's only a dog, not a child. I just need someone to acknowledge my sadness." Each day with our pet is special and brings joy to both the owner and the owned (sometimes it is hard to determine who owns who, do you agree?). No one wants to lose their pet. No one gets an animal anticipating the death of that companion. But the fact is, pets are lost to accidents, disease, old age or they simply wander off and never come home. It's finding ways to deal with the grief that will help you during the difficult time of losing your best friend. Read this book, you will be so glad you did.

"Remember me with tears and laughter. Remember me though it hurts to do so, because the pain you have is equal to the love we shared. There is no goodbye if you carry me in your heart. Remember all the joy we shared, because there was so much of it for both of us." Herbie Longfellow Alderdice Are you a dog owner who is in the process of losing your best friend to illness? Or have you lost your beloved friend and you are struggling to get over them? Pet bereavement is tough. Not everyone sympathises with you. Jeannie Wycherley chose to write this book after the loss of her beloved boy, Herbie, because she was hurt by the repetition of the phrase, "he was just a dog." She realised that her grief transcended that tired notion - one tritely rolled out by people who think they're being helpful and supportive, failing to realise the guilt and shame many pet owners already experience when they are locked deep in mourning. 'Losing my Best Friend: thoughtful support for those affected by dog bereavement or pet loss' offers practical advice about what to do when your dog passes away, including tips on helping your children or other pets cope with the loss, designing your own ceremony to celebrate your dog's life, and creating memorials. In these pages Jeannie Wycherley has created a loving tribute to Herbie, and delivers support with a light and loving touch that validates what you're going through.

“Finally, someone has written about the best kept mental health secret: how dogs save psyches, hearts, minds, and sometimes, quite literally, lives . . .”—Belleruth Naparstek, LISW, author of Invisible Heroes As the more than 65 million dog-owners in America will attest, there’s something about the presence of a dog that inspires confidence, nurtures emotional well-being, and brings out the best in ourselves. But for some people, the presence of a dog can do even more. Written by the leading expert in an emerging new field of therapy, Healing Companions is the first book to detail how dogs are increasingly benefiting those who suffer from a range of emotional ills, from eating disorders and anxiety, to agoraphobia, depression, and post-traumatic stress. Healing Companions will teach you: What criteria to consider when choosing the right dog for you. What kind of training service dogs require. What to expect and how to respond when you take a service dog out in public. How a dog can complement other forms of therapy. How to navigate the procedural regulations that apply to a service dog. How to recognize the dog’s needs and provide it with proper care. And much more. “Animals are more complete than people. They are wonderful teachers, therapists and role models for us all. Read Healing Companions and learn about their ability to guide and heal us all.”—Bernie Siegel, MD, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Love, Animals, and Miracles “This book should be required reading for everybody who is considering getting a psychiatric service dog or is working on training them.”—Temple Grandin, author of Animals Make Us Human

When two friends—a sock monkey and a plush toy dog—get into an argument during playtime, Monkey gets his feelings hurt and proclaims, “You are not my friend!” But when he takes his ball to find someone new to play with, he quickly learns that maybe he hasn’t been a very good friend, either.Bestselling author/illustrator Daniel Kirk uses bold and humorous illustrations to convey the important message that sharing and other acts of friendship are two-way streets. Praise for You Are Not My Friend, But I Miss You "Kirk’s skillfully paced mix of vignettes, close-ups and long shots guide readers smoothly through this emotional odyssey." --Kirkus Reviews "His frequent use of bold, large-scale drawing captures Monkey’s equally outsize temperament, while the emphatic, minimal text is subtly poignant and supremely performable." --Publishers Weekly

The loss of an animal companion can be a painful, wrenching experience. In Goodbye, Friend, Gary Kowalski takes you on a journey of healing, offering warmth and sound advice on how to cope with the death of your pet. Filled with heartwarming stories and practical guidance on such matters as taking care of yourself while mourning, creating rituals to honor your pet’s memory, and talking to children about death, Goodbye, Friend is a beautiful and comforting book for anyone grieving the loss of a beloved animal.

“If you struggle to simplify your life and wish you could savor the here and now, this book is a must-read.” —Crystal Paine, founder of MoneySavingMom.com and New York Times–bestselling author Have you ever felt that your life—and budget—is spiraling out of control? Do you sometimes wish you could pull yourself together but wonder exactly how to manage all the scattered pieces of a chaotic life? Is it possible to find balance? In a word, yes. Ruth Soukup knows firsthand how stressful an unorganized life and budget can be. Through personal stories, biblical truth, and practical action plans, she will inspire you to make real and lasting changes to your personal goals, home, and finances. With honesty and the wisdom of someone who has been there, Ruth will help you: Discover your “sweet spot” —that place where your talents and abilities intersect. Take back your time and schedule by making simple shifts in your daily habits. Reduce stress in your home and family by clearing out the clutter. Stop busting your budget and learn to cut your grocery bill in half. This book provides real and practical solutions from someone who has been there. Ruth doesn’t just offer advice, she walks it with you, and shares with brutal honesty her own mistakes, failures, and shortcomings. It is encouraging, motivating, and life-changing. “An inspiring book full of step-by-step instructions and spiritual wisdom. I love how Ruth is transparent about her mistakes as she leads us to reevaluate our priorities. This book is a great biblical guide to living well and finding joy!” —Courtney Joseph, founder of Women Living Well Ministries

Rev. ed. of: Handbook for mortals / Joanne Lynn, Joan Harrold, and the Center to Improve Care of the Dying, George Washington University. 1999.

The loss of a beloved pet may be the first death experience children face. It is very traumatic for the child and should not be trivialized. Their feelins and emotions are very real and they are trying to process the situation as best they can. They need the support and understanding of caring adults to work through what has happened and what it means to them personally. Pet loss and the surrounding activity can be a catalyst for growth and understanding for the entire family. Talking and sharing thoughts and emotions is one of the best ways to cope. That is why people gather after a funeral to share stories and acknowledge the part the deceased has had in their lives. It is a teaching moment to share openly about what is going on in our hearts, minds and bodies. Recognize that not all adults or children grive in the same way. Do not expect the child to be openly sad or to be appearing uncaring in their attitude about the death of the pet. It may take some time to process what this loss means to them. No matter how the child may appear to be taking the news, do have a priod of time just for them to talk and you to listen. After sharing their fears and concerns, you will wantto reassure them that they are safe and loved. This may be the opportunity to teach the values and beliefs that you may not have shared with your family. A great many of the people who deal with depression or feelings of suicide as adults suffer from some sort of sorrow they never had the opportunity to work out as a child. Judy Helm Wright has a new book coming out to assist you in this process. Watch for "How To Explain Death, Loss & Grieve to Children" You will find it on Amazon very soon or by checking out our website at www.ArtichokePress.com