This book offers a variety of TWENTY-ONE tried and true activities to commemorate your pet. It allows space for you to grieve, express gratitude, and celebrate the life you shared. There are basic and more “advanced” projects, as well as mindset words to help on your journey of healing. It also includes tips to consider your physical, mental, and emotional health. It will benefit: single pet owners - parents who are helping their children mourn the loss - friends of older adults who have lost their pet - those who had a therapy or comfort dog as a companion Author, speaker, and dog-fan, Jean Alfieri presents twenty-one ways to honor and remember that special bond. An advocate for pet adoption, she and her husband have welcomed decades of senior shelter dogs into their home. The love of these “vintage puppies” is very real, and so is the loss. Don’t just grieve. Celebrate your time together and fill your heart with the wonderful memories you and your beloved pet shared. Grief is intense and unpredictable and does not follow an exact timetable. 21 Ways to Weather the Loss of Your Pet is a valuable resource for someone looking for creative ways to express and manage their feelings about losing their faithful companion. The ideas inside are appropriate for adults and children. As a pet loss therapist, I confidently recommend this book. 21 Ways... is a toolbox that people can pick up and benefit from, at any stage of grief. It can be read from cover to cover or one page at a time. When the person is ready, it can help in processing recent pet loss or a loss that happened years ago. With a heart-centered framework, this book provides practical suggestions and assures readers that there is no wrong way to grieve and no set timeline for healing. It's a comforting companion for those seeking to honor and remember a beloved family pet. ~ Mary Jeanne Murl, LCSW, LMFT MJ Murl Psychotherapy & Wellness Dear Reader, I remember when the inkling for this book first began: I sat in a big wooden rocking chair in the middle of the 2nd grade class. They sat in a semi-circle on the floor surrounding me. This class had won a personal visit with "the author," and were prepared to pepper me with questions. I hoped to live up to their expectations. They lobbed some soft pitches: "When will you write a chapter book?" "How old were you when you started writing stories?" "What's your favorite breed of dog?" Then came the knuckle ball: "Have you ever had a dog that died?" Such a painful, raw, and honest question from a seven-year-old. "Yes, I have," I said, "We've had dogs a long time. But it always makes me sad. We have a tradition that when one of our dogs dies, we celebrate their memory at dinner that night. We share our favorite stories of them and always end up laughing and crying," I paused then added, "Did your dog die?" Ben nodded and stared down into his hands. "Do you have a favorite memory of your dog?" He looked up, eyes watery, and said, "He always waited for me to come home from school." My heart broke for him. "I know, Ben, that's so hard. What was your dog's name?" "Benji." "I'm sorry that Benji died. It's okay to miss him. I still miss my first dog named Rumble. He died a long time ago. Has anyone else had a dog that died?" A spattering of hands went up. "Maybe during lunch or over a break you can share your favorite story of your dog with Ben, and that might cheer him up." Their heads nodded. "And remember, Ben, even though he may not be waiting for you after school, Benji will always be in your heart." I had no idea I had visited that day to start a 2nd grade therapy group, but the reality is, it doesn't matter your age. Losing a beloved companion is devastating. Since you have this book, you are likely experiencing the loss of a beloved animal family member. My heart is heavy for your loss. I hope these projects and ideas bring some relief and help you and your family embrace the fond memories of your pet. I wish you peace and love as you heal. Condolences, Jean Come Out from Under the Clouds of Sadness It's okay to be sad. The loss of a beloved pet is heartbreaking. Sometimes we get stuck in sadness and struggle to work through it. This book offers a variety of TWENTY-ONE tried and true activities to commemorate your pet. It allows space for you to grieve, express gratitude, and celebrate the life you shared. There are basic and more "advanced" projects, as well as mindset words to help on your journey of healing. It also includes tips to consider your physical, mental, and emotional health. It will benefit: single pet owners - parents who are helping their children mourn the loss - friends of older adults who have lost their pet - those who had a therapy or comfort dog as a companion Author, speaker, and dog-fan, Jean Alfieri presents twenty-one ways to honor and remember that special bond. An advocate for pet adoption and a certified grief coach for pet loss, she and her husband have welcomed decades