Pet Loss ... How To Say Goodbye

Pets fulfill so many roles in our lives it is hard sometimes to realize the impact they leave when they are gone. Saying goodbye to a loved one is hard enough, but when they've been your best friend, your shoulder to cry on, a shopping or walking companion and/or your eager listener getting out to do normal activities can seem impossible.

Here are a few articles and tips we've been able to find that help. Remember, it is normal to grieve and healthy to keep their memory alive. Don't dismiss your feelings; if you want to hold a memorial service, by all means do so. If you need to have a plaque or an angle in your garden, go right ahead. Sometimes friends and family don't seem to understand, but remember that loss takes time to heal. Give yourself that time and eventually you will be able to remember your friend with warmth instead of sadness.  

The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (aplb) aplb.org 

How To Cope With The Loss of A Beloved Pet 

http://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/julyaug2007p26.shtml

Activities During Pet Loss

-Donate to a favorite charity. Giving helps make people feel better. 

-Volunteer. Get out and be a part of a group or organization that helps others is a great way to feel re-connected.

-Create a photo album. This way you can look back with fondness of all the fun times you and your fur-baby had together. 

-Talk about it. For pets we often times hold back because we feel that others will judge us or think we are silly, but talking about your pet will help you cope with their loss and allow you to move forward. You may even find that others share your feelings and have gone through a similar loss. 

-It is okay to cry. Let it out, get into a comfy spot in your home, turn on some soothing music and have a good cry. Allow yourself to feel the loss and you'll be able to think about the happy moments more and more. 

-Hold a memorial service. Invite friends, family, neighbors or your pets' friends to give them a fairway party in loving memory of your pet. It is important to say goodbye and have a sense of closure so that you can heal.

Additional Information

The Delta Society
Bellevue, WA
425-679-5500
www.deltasociety.org
Publishes 20-page Nationwide Pet Bereavement Directory

Washelli Funeral Services
http://www.washelli.com/petloss/

~From All of Us at the LITTLE DOG RETREAT

Sasha & The Girls 

News for Seniors & Pets

Hey fur-babies, 


If your human is getting older and want to give them a little nose-news to assist them in their daily doings; check out this fun website full of helpful, useful and especially neat things. 
LINK:  Senior Citizen Bob

Valenpaw Activities, Crafts & Patterns For Pup

We love to buy new things for our girls, but we understand that sometimes it is more fun to make something instead. Here are a few websites that show you how, give you patterns and ideas. 

How To Celebrate Valentine's Day With Your Dog - by: eHow

http://www.ehow.com/how_4771194_celebrate-valentines-day-dog.html


Crafts For You & Puppy
http://crafts.kaboose.com/gifts/make-gifts-for-your-pet.html


Recipes For Fur-Baby
http://www.best-dog-treat-recipes.com/valentine-cookies.html


Crochet Patterns For Dog Clothing
http://www.allfreecrochet.com/Crochet-for-Pets#


Dress & Clothing Patterns For Pups
http://crafts.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Pet_Apparel_Sewing_Patterns



If you have a great pattern or template to share, but a link in the comment box below. 
Enjoy! The Girls

Valen~paw's Day Treats!

Yum, yum, yum ... treats are a great way to show your little fur-baby just how much you love them. Here are the places we love to give and get ... 


Pawsitively Gourmet 
With this company you get wholesome yummy goodness with anything you buy. They have boxes that look like chocolate or truffles, candy apple cookies and fun sprinkled donuts. Prices vary from $10-$30. Visit www.pawsitivelygourmet.com 

Petitfourlegs

This is a wonderful company that puts everything in beautifully designed gift boxes, which are fun to give and get. You can choose from cupcakes, mini-cakes or jars filled with self-bake ingredients. Prices vary between $15-$45. Visit www.petitfourlegs.com 

Enjoy! If you've found a favorite, leave a link or comment in the box below. 
The Girls 

Valen~paw's Day Toys

Once upon a time, a day was created to celebrate and spoil a special someone in your life. As if we really needed an additional excuse to pamper our little furry BFF's to day is coming to show them just how much we love them. To assist you in your shopping, The Girls and I have put together our favorite's for the season.


First, in them theme of candy hearts, our friends at Funny Fur have put together a cute plush/squeak set of candy toy hearts. We also love their cute pink kissable lips. For more toys visit them at www.funnyfur.com.

Next, we have our tried and true favorites from Paw Palace where you can pick up a small or large plush/squeak bottle of Dogperignon, which is sure to quench the thirst of any pampered pup. They too have an adorable pair of red lips in two sizes to that you can leave behind your loving kiss whenever you have to go out. Check out their assortment at www.pawpalaceonline.com.

Another company we like to promote due to their crazy variety and great prices is Pet Edge. They have some super fun Valenpaw specials this year, but our favorites were their adorable heart shaped pup-cake and love related tennis balls and of course their flirty party collars. All of which are under $8 each. They look as fun as they sound. Visit www.petedge.com for their complete toy list. 

 The big chains have done a decent job this year and such have made it onto our favorite list. Petco has a cute cherub outfit with heart headband and angle wings. They also have a fun set of  3 individual loving lips or a candy heart tug-toy. For more visit www.petco.com. 

Petsmart also have a few cute little sweets to hand to your fur-baby. We loved their candy heart set and little cute cupcake. Available at www.petsmart.com 

 Another favorite is the talking rose from Charming Pet Products. They actually say "I love you" to your furry baby. You can find it in ruby red or blushing pink from www.amazon.com for only $5. 

If you've found something super fun share it with us in the comment box below. 

Have fun shopping! 

The Girls 

Dear Diary ...

Dear Diary, 


It's been a while diary and I have so much to tell you. First, our yappy pawliday was amazing. I got so many treats I literally couldn't eat them all in the same night and my sisters got some neat toys that they shared with me. We had a lot of people over, I sat with each one to tell them about my presents that I found under the tree while they rubbed my tummy and listened attentively.  


I miss summer though. The sunshine and warm spots in the yard. The days have been so long. If only the sun would come back out and I could sit and relax in the grass after playing with my frisbee all day (long sigh). Oh well, the best part of this year is my fur-day, which is coming up. I am excited for my fur-day, which my mommy says is coming up in a week. My sisters and I usually have separate fur-days, but since our pawty is so close to the Chinese New Year, we are going to have a wonderful festival with our furry friends and family this year so we are all sharing the pawty. I am very excited because my mommy says she going to make us sweet-n-sour chicken and dumplings! I don't know what that means, but is sounds delicious. 


Also, we've started up our cousin walks again! Oh, diary ... they are so much fun. I mean it's great to walk around my neighborhood too, but I've already peed on everything at least like, 1000 times before so it gets a little stale if you know what I mean. But, my cousins have a while new path to walk and I get to pee on a ton more things when I walk around their neighborhood. I mean, with the 4 of them and my 2 sisters and I, our parents take a lot more time leisurely walking plus it gives them time to share my stores about how cute I am while I get more time to really SNIFF the grass and find spots that need my pee. 


Well, that's all for now diary. I'll let you know how my fur-day goes. It will be soooo much fun! 
Until next time, 
Love Haley