Why everyone should have a memorial for the family pet!

Flora Connell 2009-2010

Swim Towards The Light Dear Friend

Dear Friends,
Flora Connell was laid to rest today
Her life was ended much too short!  Cause of death was determined to be from accidental candy sprinkle intoxication.

Funeral proceedings were as follows



Welcome……………………..………….. Mrs Crystal Connell

Life Sketch/Obituary ………Opal Connell

Musical number (Give said the little stream)…………...hummed by Sapphire Connell

Processional to graveside ………………. Led by Dorothy the Dinosaur

Poetic reading……………read by Robert Munch

Burial Ceremony………………………………………….. Grave Digger the Monster Truck

Pall bearers..............................................................Opal and Saphhire Connell

Honorary pall bearers.............................................Bailey, Pearl, Mommy and Daddy

Flora and her family thank you for all the love and support you’ve shown!!!

A poem dedicated to our beloved friend Flora


~We Only Wanted You~

They say memories are golden, well maybe that is true.
We never wanted memories, we only wanted you.
A million times we needed you, a million times we cried.
If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died.
In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still.
In our hearts you hold a place no one could ever fill.
If tears could build a stairway and heartache make a lane,
We'd walk the path to heaven and bring you back again.
Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.


So why did I go to all this trouble to celebrate the life and mourn the death of a fish that cost $1.99 at the pet store?  For the sake of my kids, of course! It is important never to belittle or ignore your child's relationship with a deceased pet. To say that it was "just a beta fish, and we can get a new one tomorrow" does not address the child's grief or teach the child the importance of the human-animal bond.  Loosing a pet may be your child's first exposure with death so it is important to deal with it in a dignified way.

 
The Funeral or Memorial Service
Allowing your child to help plan the funeral or memorial service is another way of helping them deal with the death of the pet. Some ways to honor the deceased pet include:

•Creating a slide show, photo collage or scrapbook
•Decorating a burial container, if the pet was small (bird, hamster or frog)
•Picking out the casket and headstone (if buried at a pet cemetery)
•Writing a poem
•Singing or playing a favorite song
•Drawing pictures
•Creating a special bracelet from the pet's collar or leash
•Donating unused pet food, supplies and toys to an animal shelter
•Raising funds to donate to an animal shelter in the pet's memory

How to Handle the Whys
Many times, helping children deal with the death of a pet includes answering questions about how and why the animal died. Handling these inquiries depends on many factors including religious background and the age of the child. If you and your family believe in Heaven, then your child will more than likely think that the pet that died went there. However, if you choose to tell your child otherwise, make sure your answer is done in simple terms that he or she will understand. If the pet that died had lived a long life, it's best not focus on the animal's age at the time of passing; the child may equate that to living relatives who are older and fear for their deaths.

Helping your Child Grieve the Death of a Pet
Coping and getting through the grief may involve getting a new pet.  It is important not to force a new pet upon the child.  Reassure the child that the deceased pet will always hold a special place in the family. 


You may want to purchase this book to help your kids understand what it's like to loose a pet.

Finally, give your pet an extra hug and kiss tonight.  They really are an important part of the family.