Animals Connect Us: A place to honor our beloved friends
Look for my article on pet loss on page 22 in the AugustHeart2Home magazine, a resource that focuses on pet rescue & adoption in the North Carolina Triangle area.
Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.Anatole France
We miss them so much...
Grieving is a very natural, individual, and important process. Some research shows that the loss of a beloved animal can be just as painful, and in some cases, more painful than losing a human.
My name is Tracie Barton-Barrett and, as the founder of Animals Connect Us, I am here to lend a supportive and a listening ear to help you with your feelings of grief, or any difficult decisions you may need to make about your animal, and to ultimately help you celebrate and honor the sacred connection you share.
The grief over a loss of a beloved animal is genuine, and the pain is real
You May Feel...
Immense sadness
Lonely
Confusion
Guilty
Embarrassed
Overwhelmed
Misunderstood
Anger (At others, God, yourself)
You might feel confused and sad about your beloved pet, and there might be people in your life who don't understand, even those who are close to you…
It is important to remember your feelings are natural.
You might be concerned that your grief is so deep that it will go on forever…
This is rare and many people feel better after talking and reminiscing about their beloved pet. Your memories will never die. Our animals have touched our lives and we want to share those stories, which is a testament to the love and bond to our animals.
You might feel as if there is nowhere to go when you have to deal with the difficult and painful issues of a sick or dying animal, or an animal who has died…
Truly feel your grief and feelings, and give it a voice.
Commemorate your pet, either in a memorial, painting, poem, prayer, or whatever you feel will be helpful to you.
Find a special place in your heart for your beloved pet, and make room for new animals to come in.
Redirect and channel your new energy to loving another animal who needs love, which will contribute to your healthier life and wellbeing.
In Special Memoriam:
My beloved furbaby Boo-Boo Burbles Barton-Barrett died peacefully on February 6, 2009. She was my beloved companion for 17 1/2 years, and touched my life in ways that I never thought possible. Although only a tiny body of 5 pounds, she continues to be the inspiration for my work, as I continue to help others with their grief and honoring other animals as well.
If you need to talk to someone immediately, please contact one of the following for help and support:
Arizona: Companion Animal Association - (602) 995-5885 (24 hrs)
D.C./Maryland/Virginia: The PAL Pet Loss Comfort Line can be accessed by calling the PAL office in Washington, D.C., 202-966-2171, Monday through Friday, from 9am to 5 pm. You will be referred to a PAL counselor.
Illinois: Chicago Veterinary Medical Association - (630) 325-1600 (leave voice-mail; calls returned between 7-9 pm; long distance calls returned collect)
New Jersey: PetFriends Inc. - (800) 404-PETS, (856) 234-4688 for local southern NJ calls. Phones answered 24 hours a day.
Ohio: The Ohio State University Companion Animal Listening Line - (614) 292-1823 - MWF M-F 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm EST, Sat-Sun 10 am Ð 4 pm EST; voice-mail messages will be returned. (Most hotline volunteers are veterinary students, therefore hours are dependent on volunteer availability and may be more limited during summer months.)
