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Aromatherapy for Animals, Part 1: Healing Blends for Dogs
The trend toward natural health consciousness in humans is gaining popularity in the animal world too. Many veterinarians are beginning to introduce natural therapies in their practice, including osteopathy, homeopathy, acupuncture, flower essences...
Life insurance – wise investment in personal finance or excessive caution?
Life insurance is typically taken out to offer valuable financial protection for your family in the event of your death, upon which a payment is made to your financial beneficiaries, heirs or family members. The extent of this payment will depend...
REAL ROOMMATE ADS-PUBLISHED IN NEWSPAPERS
* Studio is located in an unfashionable area of New York. Great for one person or a very close couple. * Got a cool bobcat as a house pet. * Password - Ihatethisapartment * I am leaving behind a bunch of unnecessary baggage and taking with me a...
Use a Leash For the Love of Your Pet
The importance of walking your pet on a leash.
Many owners don’t even realize the possible dangers that await their unsupervised dog. You should treat your dog as you would your toddler. You wouldn’t let your 2-year-old play outside without any...
When your child dies
Children are the most special part of life. Losing a child is something that few really understand. Even a brief life offers so much that is special. My Daughter Katie Lindsey Rose, died July 1992. She was just five weeks old. I held Katie after...
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Pet Loss Can Be Just As Devastating!
'And all because of a damned cat! It's only a cat, for God's
sake!'
I'll never forget the wracking sobs of the girl sitting
before me, and the disbelief on the face of the mother who
uttered these words.
I was a Guidance Counsellor in a city high school, and the
girl's performance had slumped in recent weeks. Her mother
couldn't believe it might possibly be related to the loss of
the girl's pet cat.
It became obvious that there wasn't much of a bond between
mother and daughter. So over the years the girl's need to
receive and GIVE affection had been transferred to her cat.
Now that the cat had passed on, the girl was devastated.
What made matters worse was her mother's total lack of
insight.
Studies carried out by veterinary associations in the UK
suggest that most kids will have a pet of some kind at some
time: cats, dogs, mice, hamsters - whatever! - and it's
probably the same in other countries.
Since kids' pets are so common, it's well for parents to
be aware of the impact they can have on their children's lives.
Psychologists talk of the 'human - companion animal bond',
which can be as strong as any human-to-human bond. Or
even stronger, as in the case of the girl above.
So when the loss, illness or death of a pet occurs, the impact
can be just as devastating.
Many families (parents as well as kids) will be familiar
with the grief and devastation brought on by the death of a
faithful dog.
But some parents think that the death of a mouse or fish is
no big deal. It's a tiny animal, so no great loss!
They fail to realise that the attachment or BOND between
child and animal is not measured by the animal's size! It's
the level of emotional investment that counts.
In fact we now know that the reaction to a pet's death can
go through exactly the same process as that of the loss of a
loved one.- Denial (No, he'll be okay. He can't have
died!)
- Bargaining (If I get him back I'll look after him
properly this time!)
- Anger (It's the vet's fault. OR I should have
/>
done this
or that!)
- Grief (There's a void in my life now!)
- Moving On (He'll always be in my heart, but I'm
coping now) How can we help our kids cope with this complex process?
Obviously, the first thing is to recognise the impact of the
loss, and we can learn from the example of the mother above.
It also goes without saying that we must encourage our kids
to express their grief and explore their feelings.
And we must also recognise the value of a 'rite of passage'.
This is a ceremony, simple or otherwise, whereby the
participants realise they have moved from one situation or
status to another.
Following the death of a pet, this can be a burial or a
memorial ceremony. As parents we MUST attend - it's not some
simple game the kids are playing in the backyard!
It's a deeply emotional, psychological coming to terms with
a potentially devastating loss.
Encourage the kids, then, to treat it seriously. Let them
pick or buy flowers. Let them draw pictures, write poems
and/or sing songs. Let them say prayers of gratitude for the
companionship they enjoyed. Let them express their grief!
Then, at all costs, avoid the temptation to supply a
'replacement' pet. Kids must have time to EXPERIENCE the
void, so that they can come to terms with it and in due time
move on.
At that point 'another' pet (not a 'replacement') can be
considered.
Experiencing both the joys and loss of a pet can be a sound
emotional training for the unpredictability of life.
By treating this aspect of their childhood seriously and
sensitively we can do our kids an immense favour.
Happy parenting!
Why do some parents and children succeed, while others
fail?
Frank McGinty is an internationally published author and
teacher. If you want to develop your parenting skills and
encourage your kids to be all they can be, visit his web
pages,
http://www.frank-mcginty.com/peace-formula.html
AND
http://www.frank-mcginty.com/for-parents.html
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PetSmart - Pet supplies and pet products for healthier, happier pets |
Offering food, treats, collars, leashes, health products, shampoos, medication, toys, carriers, housing and other supplies for all pets. |
www.petsmart.com |
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Pets 4 You.com - Dogs | Cats |
A large resource for animal enthusiasts with a directory of breeders and links to sources offering pet supplies and products, and to rescues and shelters. |
www.pets4you.com |
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Yahoo! Pets |
Learn how to care for a new pet. Find information about breeds or adopt a dog. ... What questions on pets or pet nutrition do you have today? ... |
pets.yahoo.com |
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Welcome to Healthypet.com! |
Pet care resources by the American Animal Hospital Association to find a veterinarian, veterinary clinic or animal hospital for pets and provide pet care ... |
www.healthypet.com |
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Dogs & Puppies - Next Day Pets |
Directory of breeders and shelters with dogs and puppies for sale and pets for adoption. Search dogs and puppies by breed with information on 150+ dog ... |
www.nextdaypets.com |
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Petfinder.com: Adopt a pet and help an animal shelter rescue a ... |
Adopt a pet dog or cat from animal welfare organizations across the country. |
www.petfinder.com |
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Welcome to Neopets! |
A virtual pet website where visitors may adopt and care for pets, as well as play games and participate in contests, communities, and combat simulations. |
www.neopets.com |
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Chicago Tribune | Pets |
Click one of the buttons to show pets within that category. Click here to show all pets for sale. Search Tips. (e.g., Beagle, Persian) ... |
www.legacy.com |
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Pet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
A pet is an animal kept for companionship and enjoyment, as opposed to ... Some horse-like animals are suitable for human companionship as pets or as work ... |
en.wikipedia.org |
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Pets - Pet Breeders Pet Information Pet Classifieds |
Pets - Pet, Hobby and Show Animals Pets Online Has Puppies For Sale, Pet Products, Pet Shops. |
www.mypets.net.au |
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Defra, UK - Animal health and welfare - Bringing pets to Britain |
Travel guide and information on qualifications, requirements, and fees for bringing a pet into the UK. |
www.defra.gov.uk |
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Defra, UK - Animal health and welfare - Pet Travel Scheme |
The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) is the system that allows pet dogs, ... For travel to France, the passport also replaces the PETS 5 certificate. ... |
www.defra.gov.uk |
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Indiatimes - Pets |
/photo.cms?msid=968871. You can post him queries and problems about your pets. ... Other beautiful animals: pets, wild cats & butterflies. PET ZODIACS ... |
pets.indiatimes.com |
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AVMA Care for Pets Home Page |
Articles that tell how to select a pet, how to care for various types of pets, and how to cope with the death of a pet. Includes a section just for kids. |
www.avma.org |
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Dog and Pet T-Shirts and Gifts at CafePress.com : Shop Over 35 ... |
Pet Gifts. Pet Gifts. Pet owners unite with fun t-shirts, hats and more. See all results... Categories within Pet Gifts ... |
www.cafepress.com |
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Pet Lover Gifts : Find & Buy Gifts at CafePress.com |
Shop millions of unique and custom pet designs - such as dog, cat, bunny, horse and other animals - available on t-shirts, mugs, mousepads, posters, ... |
www.cafepress.com |
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PETS 911 pet adoptions thru local animal shelters |
Offers hotline for lost and found pets, adoption, veterinarians, and animal shelters. |
www.pets911.com |
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Pets |
Most of us think of adopting pets for all the wrong reasons.. as a ... Pets has a way of listening without judging and loving its owner unconditionally. ... |
www.webindia123.com |
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Mara Pets Games - Play Free Flash Games, Dress Up Games and ... |
Mara Pets Games is a free virtual pet site with fun flash games and character dress up games. Three new games weekly! |
www.marapets.com |
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Canada's pet information center for dogs cats and humans |
Canadian pet information centre, featuring articles, bulletin board, dog breed profiles, cat breeds, and ask the vet sections. |
www.pets.ca |
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