Euthanasia Archive

How to Help Your Child When the Family Pet Dies

Facing the death of a family pet can be one of the most traumatic events in a child’s young life. Understand that your child may feel a variety of emotions-from emptiness and sadness to guilt and anger at friends whose pets are still alive. Your children may worry that the animal’s death is their fault,

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The Socially Responsible Pet

I believe that everyone has the capacity to have a positive impact in their community. It may be as simple as offering a meal to someone who is hungry, teaching someone a new skill, or solving a problem that has perplexed society. I believe that your pet can be socially responsible as well. Below is

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Tears for Zack: Saying Good-Bye to your Pet

I never thought I’d cry while slicing cucumbers. I never thought I’d cry while sweeping the crumbs off the breakfast room floor. I never thought I’d cry while I turned off my bedroom lights. Two weeks ago, I said good-bye to my best friend and companion, Zack. He was a lovable, thirteen year-old golden retriever

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Stress-Free Dog Walk

Do you walk down the street and say “hello” to every stranger, introduce yourself and then, engage in playful banter? Recently, I’ve seen an uptick in clients expressing concern that their pet cowers or growls when a stranger reaches down to pet it. Obviously, these behaviors are not desired nor warranted. But, I wonder if

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The Dogs in Our Lives

The other day, one of my clients sent this passage to me following the death of his dog and I’d like to share it with you: “The dogs in our lives, the dogs we come to love and who [we fervently believe] love us in return, offer more than fidelity, consolation, and companionship. They offer

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Adopting A Dog: 7 Questions to Ask Yourself

In the Chicago Tribune “Ask Amy” column dated March 8, 2016, advice columnist Amy Dickinson responded to a lonely middle- aged woman’s plea for advice on how to improve her social life. Dickinson’s advice included three suggestions: move to an apartment, get a dog, and join a gym. I worry that Dickinson’s simple advice to

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