pet loss Archives - Petplan Charitable Trust

Bilbo the terrier defies life expectancy at 17

How old is your pet really…?

August 20, 2020

So much happens in our lives over the short period that our pets live with us. They are witnesses to it all; just having them there can be a great…

feeling guilt about euthanasia pet loss blog

Feeling guilty about euthanasia? Time for some self-compassion.

June 16, 2020

To `live in the moment’ is all very well. Our pets seem to live that way and we tell ourselves to follow their example. However, the present moment is often a…

Who decides that a pet is better off dead than alive? And how do they decide?

May 20, 2020

Euthanasia is irreversible so it seems right that most pet owners agonise over the decision and want to double-check before making it. Unfortunately, anyone deciding on their own can get…

Can we really sense our pets’ needs?

April 28, 2020

The Chinese sage Lao Tzu said the wisest people are present to whatever the moment brings. Our animal companions seem to “live in the moment” naturally. For example, when we…

remembering a beloved pet - the poetry of mary oliver

Memorialising our pets: how poems can help us mourn and remember

April 15, 2020

Poetry – our own or others’, it doesn’t matter – is such a powerful way to express anguish and to mourn and remember the dead. In the last post, I…

How to reduce the risk of your dog developing an aggression problem

March 29, 2020

If a dog has bitten someone, euthanasia ensures s/he is no longer a risk. However, it is often an untimely death and a heartbreaking situation. Some aggressive dogs may never…

An aggressive dog is an unhappy dog

March 14, 2020

From growling thru’ snapping to a single bite or an all-out attack, aggression is a serious matter. An aggressive dog poses a danger to us and other humans. It tells…

Pets aren’t people and we need to care for them appropriately

March 9, 2020

News and views about pets are mainstream. The BBC website has lots of thought-provoking bits and pieces. Recently, I’ve come across these joyful video clips of animal friendships: • A…

Making decisions when our older pets become ill or infirm

March 2, 2020

The Royal Veterinary College in London has a massive and growing database. It’s part of the VetCompass project, which looks at the lifespans and illnesses of pets. Sure enough, our pets…

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How old is your pet really…?

Feeling guilty about euthanasia? Time for some self-compassion.

Who decides that a pet is better off dead than alive? And how do they decide?

Can we really sense our pets’ needs?

Memorialising our pets: how poems can help us mourn and remember

How to reduce the risk of your dog developing an aggression problem

An aggressive dog is an unhappy dog

Pets aren’t people and we need to care for them appropriately

Making decisions when our older pets become ill or infirm

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