Pet Services

Our pets are our friends, and most would describe them as part of the family. They sleep in our beds, take us for walks, and bring a smile into our lives. The feelings that come with the loss of a pet may be intense, conflicting, confusing, and more. These feelings, however, are a normal part of the grieving process.

The devotion and unconditional love of a pet are among the best things one can experience in life. That’s why such a deep bond develops between people and their pets. By offering choices for memorializing your pet, Paws & Remember® can help you cope with your loss and honor your pet in an appropriate, meaningful way.

Today, there is a greater awareness that the loss of a pet also calls for the support and sympathy of those around us to help us cope. It gives family members a time to mourn together and remember their beloved friend during this difficult time. There is no reason to feel foolish or superfluous for feeling legitimately deep and heartfelt grief during this time. Memorial gatherings can provide closure and acceptance of the death of your pets.

Paws & Remember® offers services which are designed to meet the needs of people at every stage of grief and remembrance. Our services include:

• Pre-need planning, allowing you to be prepared prior to the loss of a pet.
• Grief support and resources.
• A trusted network of designated providers, including funeral professionals, veterinary offices, grief support professionals, and more.
• Memorial products and services, from urns and memorials to photo albums, frames, jewelry, and other personalized keepsakes.
• Respectful and timely coordination of arrangements by professional providers who bring a sense of dignity and compassion to your loss.

Since 1997, Paws & Remember® has been providing full service memorial programs for pets of every description. To learn more about Paws & Remember®, talk to your funeral professional, or visit us atwww.pawsandremember.com

The loss of a family pet can be a child’s first experience with death. Helping children cope with grief will help them understand a very painful aspect of life and begin the healing process.

• Talk about the pet’s health and any decisions to be made prior to the animal’s death, if possible
• Respond to your children honestly and age appropriately. While young children will not understand the concept of death, they will feel a tremendous loss. Older children may want to discuss the decline of the pet’s health, plans for the body and the concept of death itself
• Avoid the commonly used phrase “putting to sleep”. This phrase can confuse young children, and even scare them as they prepare to go to bed at night
• Try to explain the concept of “dog years” or whatever is applicable to the species of your family pet. But make it clear that Mom and Dad live in “people years” and are not going anywhere
• Ask your veterinarian to answer any medical questions for your children. Older children may have questions about euthanasia, how it is done, what the pet will feel, what equipment is used and what happens to the animal’s body
• Say goodbye to the pet in a ceremony to make it official
• Memorialize your pet in a way that is unique to your family. Plant a tree in the garden, write down thoughts about fun times spent with the pet, draw pictures, or hang a photo of the pet in your home for all to share
• Show your own grief. Children will grow to understand their own feelings better if they see that their sadness is shared by other family members
• Share the loss with your children’s teachers or counselors to explain changes in behavior

Many books are available as well. Please visit our website at www.pawsandremember.com.