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Gone But
Not Forgotten
Coping With the Loss of a Devoted Pet
Release provided by The Iams Company
Dayton,
Ohio - July 29, 1999 - The sight of muddy paw prints
on the kitchen floor, the sound of her gentle purr in your
ear, the warmth of their fur as they nestle against you on
a cool evening - suddenly gone?
Companion
animals occupy a special place in our lives and many are considered
an important part of the family. In the case of a human death,
people reach out to family and friends for support, but the
loss of a pet often leaves owners to grieve behind closed
doors.
"An owner
can feel emotionally abandoned, particularly if friends and
family don't seem to understand the sense of loss," says Dan
Carey, DVM, director of technical communications for the Iams
Company. "The human-animal bond is very powerful. Pets provide
unconditional love and acceptance, and the departure of a
pet can really leave a void in a pet owner's life. The emotions
of loss are the same, no matter what species the loved one."
As part
of The Iams Company's commitment to pet owners, in 1997 the
company initiated the Pet Loss Support Resource Center. The
center connects grieving pet owners with a specially trained
staff of veterinary students from across the United States,
who provide a non-judgmental outlet for people to openly express
their feelings.
Each month
the veterinary students spend hours on the phone with grieving
pet owners. "The sense of loss and grieving for a pet can
be intense," says Carey. "People often feel totally responsible
for the health and happiness of their pets, and may feel helpless
and depressed when they're gone."
If you
or someone you know is struggling with grief from the loss
of a pet, contact the Iams Pet Loss Support Resource Center
toll-free at 888-332-7738. Pet owners who call the Resource
Center will be referred to students at the veterinary school
closest to their geographical area. The Center's hours are
8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, Eastern Standard
Time.
Other
help for pet owners dealing with grief can also be found on
the Internet, with sites such as petloss.com
and gonetodogstar.com.
These on-line resources offer inspirational messages, chat
groups and support.
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www.dogandkennel.com
