Here are some resources you might find helpful:

Look for my article on pet loss in the current Heart2Home magazine, a resource that focuses on pet rescue & adoption in the North Carolina Triangle area.

http://www.heart2homemagazine.com/currentissue.htm

Websites

The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement: www.aplb.org

www. Pet-Loss.net 

http://rainbowsbridge.com/grief_support_center/Pet_Loss_Resources/petloss_hot_lines.htm

Poems

Yellow Bird

I lost the dearest friend of mine

And not so long ago

He left and broke my heart apart

When he suddenly had to go

He left a gaping hole inside

Where my shattered heart had been

Though my tears would over time subside

The grief seemed not to end

Our future plans had been replaced

With the empty spot in me

The choice to leave was not his own

It was not his wish to be

I couldn’t see through tears and pain

Where to direct my steps

So I stumbled and could not find my way

After my friend had left

But fate had made its plans for me

Though I couldn’t know quite what

And my attempts to find a healing soul

All ended quite abrupt

I eventually stopped my searching

To make the disappointment end

And resigned to live with emptiness

Where my poor heart once had been

Then all at once a surprise arrived

At a most unlikely place

A gift from fate my fickle friend

Just stared me in the face

I simply couldn’t believe my eyes

I was struck bereft of words

A new friend came and patched my heart

And her name is Yellow Bird.

© William G Carrington – 10/8/2008

Hey Mister

Hey Mister listen here to me

Please be gentle with my friend

He’s traveled quite a distance

Now his journey’s at an end

I could tell you many stories

To put a smile upon your face

And you’d appreciate the road we’ve trod

Arriving at this place

My friend - you see - has been there

When I had no will to stand

And many times he’s carried me

Tho he hadn’t any hands

I can’t begin to tell you

What he’s always meant to me

And all he’s ever asked for

Was my loving friend to be

Our bond was there unfailing

Whether times were good or tuff

So I’d tell him of my gratitude

Tho I’m sure not oft enough

Time and distance on our way

Never mattered to us two

And the road’s been long and winding

That brought us here to you

He was big and tough and stable

His muscles toned and stout

But inspite of his determined mind

Time wore his big heart out

So to my shock and sad surprise

He said he had to go

He said he hated leaving me

He loved our friendship so

He said his own trip was to end

And on alone I’d trail

But not to be disheartened long

We’d meet beyond the veil

And travel down another road

Where sunlight always shines

For the love we shared while here on Earth

In a better place we’d find

So Mister what you have here

Is an Earthly shell at end

But I beg you please use gentle care

Because he was my dearest friend.

In tribute to Cody Carrington - March 1992 -- June 2004

© William G Carrington -- 6/13/2004

Books

Cold Noses At the Pearly Gates by Gary Kurz

Coping With Sorrow on the Loss of Your Pet by Moira Anderson

Dog Gone: Coping with the Loss of a Pet by Howard Bronson

Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home and Other Unexplained Powers of Animals by Rupert Sheldrake

Grieving the Death of A Pet by Betty Carmack

On Death and Dying by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Pet Loss: A Thoughtful Guide for Adults and Children by Herbert Nieburg

The Loss of a Pet by Wallace Sife 

When Your Pet Dies by Alan Wolfelt

Angel Whiskers by Laurel Hunt

Books for Children

The Accident by Carol Carrick

The Fall of Freddie the Leaf by Leo Buscaglia 

It Must Hurt A Lot by Doris Stanford  

I'll Always Love You by Hans Wilhelm  

When Kitty Passed Away by Linda Makkay   

The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst              

Pet Cremation Services and Veterinarians

Buckleigh Hills Pet and Large Animal Cremations Eddinsj@touchnc.net Joe Eddins and Weathers Eddins, owners Zebulon, North Carolina www.buckleighhills.com (919)269-7771 Joe's cell: (919)971-9423 Weathers' cell: (919)971-3036

Carolina Pet Cremation steve@carolinapetservices.com Steve Weaver, owner Raleigh, North Carolina carolinapetcremation.com (919)787-4334

Dr. Sara Lash, DVM Full-service in-home veterinarian Serving 20 mile radius of 40/42 in North Carolina www.drsaralash.com (919)329-7387 (PETS)

Dr. Jennifer Frey, DVM drfrey@peacefulpassingvet.com In-home euthanasia in Raleigh, NC area www.peacefulpassingvet.com (919) 672-0686