Healing from pet loss during the holidays
By Gloria J. Towle
Board Member
We would like to thank Ruby Tuesday’s at the Aroostook Centre Mall for their “Give Back” program that took place Nov. 23-25! Ruby’s donated 20 percent of meal tickets when servers were presented with a special flyer or the mention of the Central Aroostook Humane Society! We hope that many of you were able to go out, enjoy a wonderful meal and help not only the Humane Society, but to show support for a business that is really giving back’ with its generosity! Thank you, Ruby Tuesday!
These days are finding all of us rushing around and thinking about the busy month ahead. So much to do to prepare for the Christmas holiday! The girls at The Central Aroostook Humane Society are excited and busy decorating for our upcoming “Pictures With Santa Paws” on Dec. 1 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This annual fundraiser is always a fun and special event! We hope you will bring the family for your Christmas portrait!
This past week my very dear friend Nancy had to say goodbye to her cat of almost 20 years! She said that Sammy had been her pillow warmer for so long and had lived a wonderful life of luxury. She “misses her tremendously but knows that she is young again, able to see, able to hear and playing with all the others that passed before her,” and knows that “animals are truly a gift from God.”
For those that have recently suffered a loss, Claire Gillenson, M.A., pet loss educator/life transitions coach, has these suggestions. With the holidays near, it can be easy to feel lonely and isolated after experiencing the loss of a pet. If this is your first holiday without a beloved family cat or dog, below are five ways in getting through these weeks without having to be strong, act normal or hide from the emotional pain:
• Deck the halls with new rituals. Honor your departed pet’s memory by sharing a story, hanging a stocking, ornament or lighting a candle in remembrance, creating new rituals is important in integrating the loss and creating new traditions. It is important to acknowledge the bond and depth of the relationship you’ve shared with your pet;
• Talk about your feelings with those you love and love you. Celebrate your beloved pet with people who understand. Talk about the gifts you’ve received from your furry family member. Acknowledge the ways you’ve moved through grief this year;
• Acknowledge all of your emotions. Give yourself permission to feel — to laugh, cry, be in joy, quiet, take pleasure in the holidays. You don’t have to be strong and pretend everything is fine if it isn’t. Sometimes, it can be difficult to experience joy when one is “mourning.” There can be a sense of “guilt” in having fun. It is not disrespectful to the memory of the departed pet if you enjoy yourself.-
• Plan ahead and make backup plans. Make several plans for holiday dinner and parties. Create a list of close friends you can reach out to ahead of time;
• Studies show volunteering improves your emotional and physical health. Volunteer in memory of your beloved pet. Bring old towels to a shelter. Create gift baskets for homebound seniors with pets. The possibilities are endless and will help take your mind off the death of your pet;
• Look for self-care/creative outlets. Take baths, long walks, journal, massages, soothing music, adequate sleep and rest — anything that supports you in being gentle with yourself; and
• Do something creative! Create a holiday scrapbook, painting or journaling can help channel feelings and emotions in a positive way.
If you find yourself without close friends of family and are having a difficult time, find a grief support group in your area. Grief is an ongoing process, lean into the ebb and flow of pain by journeying through it.
Stop by the Central Aroostook Humane Society and see the many wonderful pets just waiting for a loving home! We are open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closing for lunch noon to 12:30 p.m. Please be responsible; spay and neuter your pets!
In last week’s issue of The Star-Herald, a photo ran of a local youth who made a donation to the shelter. He was incorrectly identified. His name is Marcus Czosnek and he collected bottles in Easton, raising $50 to benefit the animals. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
