Pet Loss Resources

Pet loss books and articles

 

• Pet Loss: A Thoughtful Guide for Adults and Children by Herbert A. Nieburg
  
• Coping with Sorrow on the Loss of Your Pet (Third Edition) by Moira Anderson Allen, M.Ed.
  
• Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet by Gary Kowalski
  
• Grieving the Death of a Pet by Betty J. Carmack, R.N., Ed.D.
  
• Good Grief: Finding Peace After Pet Loss by Sid Korpi
• I'm Still Here: A Dog's Purpose Forever by Cathryn Michon
  
• My Cat's Death Broke My Brain-Modern Loss Article
• What Pets Do Before Being Euthanized-People Magazine
• Helping Children Cope with the Serious Illness or Death of a Companion Animal

Pet Loss Resources to help Children Grieve

The death of a pet is often the first time a child is faced with loss. Children grief the loss of a pet differently than adults. Below is a short list of books and links we find helpful as you help the child in your life navigate the ebbs and flows of grief. These books are consistently recommended by educators, veterinarians, librarians, and pet loss counselors. They handle the difficult topic of pet death with age-appropriate language, compassion, and honesty while helping children process their grief and understand death as a natural part of life.

1. Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant
   Ages 3-6. A comforting picture of an ideal afterlife for dogs, with beautiful illustrations
2. When a Pet Dies by Fred Rogers
   Ages 3-7. Classic Mr. Rogers book with straightforward, honest approach to death and grief. An all time favorite of mine. 
3. The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst
   Ages 4-8. A boy must think of ten good things about his deceased cat Barney
4. Saying Goodbye to Lulu by Corinne Demas
   Ages 4-8. Realistic, non-religious story about a girl and her aging dog
5. The Invisible Leash: An Invisible String Story About the Loss of a Pet by Patrice Karst
   Ages 4-8. Uses the "invisible string" concept to help children understand their continued connection to deceased pets

6. Cat Heaven by Cynthia Rylant - Companion book to Dog Heaven for cat lovers

In-home Pet Euthanasia

• CodaPet: A Peaceful Passing At Home
  A quality of life scale to assist in making that decision.
  https://www.codapet.com/quality-of-life-scale