Saying goodbye isn't easy. We can help you cope and heal.
Compassionate planning and healing begins here.
Straja offers a safe and confidential and judgment-free environment where you can relax, explore feelings of loss or prepare for it in advance for your peace of mind and the comfort of your animal companion. We help you through
the steps to celebrate in healthy, expressive way and methods to cope afterward.
SERVICES:
Pet Chaplain Services (Non-Denominational)*
1. Support a newly adopted animal to settle in and thrive.
2. Assist rescue animals and shelter teams to provide adaptation, transition training and support.
3. Encourage human-animal bonds with home activities that create unity, understanding and
4. Discern end-of-life decisions for your animal.
5. Plan a sacred sendoff with meaning and intent.
6. Coordinate funerals, memorials and anniversaries.
7. Healthy post-loss grief methods (individual, family).
8. Advocate for animals in your community when human desires and wildlife encounters conflict.
9. Develop resiliency with teaching tools that help you
tackle compassion fatigue and empathetic distress.
* This service may qualify for employee/group mental health coverage.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Pet Doula Services (All Animal Species)
1. Assistance in exploring palliative or hospice options.
2. Determination of euthanasia options (clinic, home, etc.).
3. Define your animal companion’s quailty of life and options.
4. Assistance in creating a customized “bucket list” for your pet.
5. Planning Celebration of Life events (before and/or after).
6. Guidance for burial and/or cremation options.
7. Research and plan meaningful options for physical memorials.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Pet Loss Circle: Healing Connections Classes
Monthly Meetings
Location: Calgary Humane Society - 4455 110th Avenue SE
Strawberry Moon Counselling's Pet Loss Circle can help you heal and release these symptoms while honouring your pet. We feature animal-assistance therapy, gentle art invitations, quiet discussions and nature based experiences. These techniques tend to the mind, body and spirit, and welcome communication, release, and hope.
For more information call Straja at 403-630-1020
Straja offers a safe and confidential and judgment-free environment where you can relax, explore feelings of loss or prepare for it in advance for your peace of mind and the comfort of your animal companion. We help you through
the steps to celebrate in healthy, expressive way and methods to cope afterward.
SERVICES:
Pet Chaplain Services (Non-Denominational)*
1. Support a newly adopted animal to settle in and thrive.
2. Assist rescue animals and shelter teams to provide adaptation, transition training and support.
3. Encourage human-animal bonds with home activities that create unity, understanding and
4. Discern end-of-life decisions for your animal.
5. Plan a sacred sendoff with meaning and intent.
6. Coordinate funerals, memorials and anniversaries.
7. Healthy post-loss grief methods (individual, family).
8. Advocate for animals in your community when human desires and wildlife encounters conflict.
9. Develop resiliency with teaching tools that help you
tackle compassion fatigue and empathetic distress.
* This service may qualify for employee/group mental health coverage.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Pet Doula Services (All Animal Species)
1. Assistance in exploring palliative or hospice options.
2. Determination of euthanasia options (clinic, home, etc.).
3. Define your animal companion’s quailty of life and options.
4. Assistance in creating a customized “bucket list” for your pet.
5. Planning Celebration of Life events (before and/or after).
6. Guidance for burial and/or cremation options.
7. Research and plan meaningful options for physical memorials.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Pet Loss Circle: Healing Connections Classes
Monthly Meetings
Location: Calgary Humane Society - 4455 110th Avenue SE
Strawberry Moon Counselling's Pet Loss Circle can help you heal and release these symptoms while honouring your pet. We feature animal-assistance therapy, gentle art invitations, quiet discussions and nature based experiences. These techniques tend to the mind, body and spirit, and welcome communication, release, and hope.
For more information call Straja at 403-630-1020
Remember: Loss is loss...we respect your journey
Whether it's the loss of a family member or friend, animal companion, friendship or other important aspect of your life, grief often feels the same and tends to be cumulative. Human animal bonds are integral to our existence and sometimes affect us more profoundly than other life losses.
The grieving process is individual and it's normal to experience these typical reactions:
Whether it's the loss of a family member or friend, animal companion, friendship or other important aspect of your life, grief often feels the same and tends to be cumulative. Human animal bonds are integral to our existence and sometimes affect us more profoundly than other life losses.
The grieving process is individual and it's normal to experience these typical reactions:
- Numbness, sadness, emptiness, depression
- Anger, blame, stress, anxiety, and isolation
- Changes in eating, sleeping and working
Straja's View:
The sorrow and grief surrounding the death of a pet
By Straja Linder King
Staring out the window of my cottage-like art studio, I am invited to a sensory feast of sounds and sights. A crow squawks, a jet roars on the celestial highway above while flocks of geese bark out commands overhead. The day is warm and teeming with life. We are at winter’s end. Bravely, I slide the window even further to breathe in the clarity of the clear blue sky. The window becomes an interactive canvas inviting me to a private viewing. What do I see?
I see a constant interplay of beginnings and endings. Myriad stories unfold and shift, viewing life through this portal to the outside world. On the left hand side of the window an empty bird’s nest sways precariously on the limb of the cherry tree. Across the yard, tangled branches shadow dance in the energetic winds and shifting light on my neighbour’s wall. On the cedar fence post a sassy magpie vies for the attention of my three dogs playing in the yard. Here as I sit staring out the window, I witness life and death comfortably entwined.
Birth and death are present always. Loss is inevitable yet we do not get the call to attention until the death impacts us directly. The death of a pet, a powerful call, impacts us with immediacy and full intensity. The death of a loving pet irrevocably changes us forever. The loss means one less family member and the pain can be debilitating. Put simply, grief is a broken heart. The absence of our beloved friend alters our home and hearts forever.
After working in pet bereavement for over two decades, I can clearly state that no two losses are alike. Grief is unique as one’s fingerprint. From the moment that death occurs we feel a heaviness that defies description. Grief and gravity combined are unbearable to hold. No recipe will circumvent or eradicate the pain due to the death of a beloved animal companion. The grieving process unfolds on its own volition and there are no short cuts. Ignoring or minimizing this grief falls into the category of disenfranchised grieving. What does this mean?
“Disenfranchised grief” means there is an existing social stigma to this type of death and the grieving process surrounding the loss. Depending on the bond, the death of an animal companion can wound our soul with the same intensity and magnitude as the grief we feel for a human death. Research demonstrates that the grief experienced due to pet loss can actually be higher than that of human loss. Even if the pet has only been in our lives for a short while. This is due to the relationship, proximity, and deep bonds created with our beloved pet.
When we adopt, rescue, or add animal companions to our family we are well aware that their life span will most likely be shorter than ours. However, this knowledge does little to lessen the pain of pet loss. Our head holds the logic about our longevity not being the same as our pets, yet our heart contains the feelings experienced together in our relationship with them. Hence, when people minimize or disregard the animal’s death the grief intensifies. The term for this exacerbated grief is known as “disenfranchised”, making the bereavement journey all the more difficult.
Therefore, validation is vital in assisting those experiencing the death of an animal companion. “Disenfranchised” best describes this type of grieving when the validation is lacking. For example saying: “It is only a pet,” and “You can always get another,” is hurtful and wounding to the soul. This thinking still exists and as a society, many are still not willing to honour this type of grief. An animal companion can never be replaced anymore than a lost human life and “getting another” sounds like restocking our fridge with depleted items. Our pets are members of the family too.
With the death of a pet many people live in the shadow of their grief. This merely exacerbates the grieving process. When time is not taken away from our work to allow for working through the loss, then emotions become bottled up. All this stems from the fear of embarrassment in sharing what they are feeling. When you hear co-workers respond with: “It’s just a dog, you can get another,” or “Thank goodness it was only an animal,” there is not much to say. This response simply perpetuates the stigma leaving the bereaved feeling isolated and filled with despair. No one should grieve alone.
Grief houses myriad responses, complicating the grieving process. The complexities may stem from a variety of sources such as unexpected deaths, witnessing a traumatic event, or feeling solely responsible for the death. Reactions to these types of complications affect us at every level — physical, emotional, spiritual, and social. We all grieve differently and we need to companion and support one another on the journey experienced due to loss.
We are evolving with sensitivity to this unspoken grief. Thankfully, I have lived to witness the journey of seeing the changes evolve. I will always remember the horrific experience of taking my therapy dog to a local animal hospital. My dog was undergoing many tests due to the mystery surrounding constant weight loss. He was not doing well. One morning we had to take him in unexpectedly as he was hardly moving. They weighed him on the scales and quickly escorted the three of us into the nearest examination room.
Sitting with deep fear in our hearts we gently stroked the fur of our handsome big boy waiting for the doctor to enter. The door to our room was left ajar. While we sat in dread of the “not knowing” the fate of our beautiful pet, another vet walked by. Stuffed under one of her arms was a limp but alive small dog and as she walked by our open room she irritatingly exclaimed, “I have another euthanasian and need someone to help me in the back.” Upon witnessing this event, both of our hearts filled with terror at the thought of our community therapy dog receiving the same death sentence on that cold morning. How insensitive and careless in not thinking about others in the nearby rooms. Needless to say we never went back to that clinic again. Thank goodness our sensitivity has grown exponentially over the past decade. We want dignity for our pets facing end of life challenges.
Many veterinarians now include a quiet room where patients may wait the outcome of their injured or sick pet’s future. One clinic here in the city designed its new quarters to incorporate a quiet room for animals facing end of life. There are two doors so you need not go through the waiting room once you check in and are ready to see the doctor. This fosters dignity and displays sensitivity to meeting the needs of the pets and their guardians. You are invited to take your pet’s favourite toy and blanket to make your animal companion as comfortable as possible. Being in a home-like room is calming when you are already in distress. I have been blessed to experience this with two of my animal companions and having a quiet room was extremely helpful.
And some veterinarians make house calls in order that the pet is as comfortable as possible. Also, this allows the entire family to be involved and creates a ceremonial area right in their home. This also facilitates children or other pets being able to witness the pet’s end of life if they wish. There are many ways to create rituals and ceremony to commemorate your pet depending on the circumstances. Having these options available allows you to be aware of the many avenues to explore prior to an emergency. This knowledge will surely mitigate some of the anxiety when faced with emergencies and end of life situations with your beloved animal. We all can contribute and carry this sentient wisdom in assisting those experiencing the loss of a partnership that fosters happiness and loving kindness. Our animal companions deserve this dignity.
—Straja Linder King is a board-certified clinical art therapist and clinical animal-assisted art therapist. She practices at her Strawberry Moon studio in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with certified therapy dogs Tala Rain, Togo Pogo and Therapy Cat Tadpole.
I see a constant interplay of beginnings and endings. Myriad stories unfold and shift, viewing life through this portal to the outside world. On the left hand side of the window an empty bird’s nest sways precariously on the limb of the cherry tree. Across the yard, tangled branches shadow dance in the energetic winds and shifting light on my neighbour’s wall. On the cedar fence post a sassy magpie vies for the attention of my three dogs playing in the yard. Here as I sit staring out the window, I witness life and death comfortably entwined.
Birth and death are present always. Loss is inevitable yet we do not get the call to attention until the death impacts us directly. The death of a pet, a powerful call, impacts us with immediacy and full intensity. The death of a loving pet irrevocably changes us forever. The loss means one less family member and the pain can be debilitating. Put simply, grief is a broken heart. The absence of our beloved friend alters our home and hearts forever.
After working in pet bereavement for over two decades, I can clearly state that no two losses are alike. Grief is unique as one’s fingerprint. From the moment that death occurs we feel a heaviness that defies description. Grief and gravity combined are unbearable to hold. No recipe will circumvent or eradicate the pain due to the death of a beloved animal companion. The grieving process unfolds on its own volition and there are no short cuts. Ignoring or minimizing this grief falls into the category of disenfranchised grieving. What does this mean?
“Disenfranchised grief” means there is an existing social stigma to this type of death and the grieving process surrounding the loss. Depending on the bond, the death of an animal companion can wound our soul with the same intensity and magnitude as the grief we feel for a human death. Research demonstrates that the grief experienced due to pet loss can actually be higher than that of human loss. Even if the pet has only been in our lives for a short while. This is due to the relationship, proximity, and deep bonds created with our beloved pet.
When we adopt, rescue, or add animal companions to our family we are well aware that their life span will most likely be shorter than ours. However, this knowledge does little to lessen the pain of pet loss. Our head holds the logic about our longevity not being the same as our pets, yet our heart contains the feelings experienced together in our relationship with them. Hence, when people minimize or disregard the animal’s death the grief intensifies. The term for this exacerbated grief is known as “disenfranchised”, making the bereavement journey all the more difficult.
Therefore, validation is vital in assisting those experiencing the death of an animal companion. “Disenfranchised” best describes this type of grieving when the validation is lacking. For example saying: “It is only a pet,” and “You can always get another,” is hurtful and wounding to the soul. This thinking still exists and as a society, many are still not willing to honour this type of grief. An animal companion can never be replaced anymore than a lost human life and “getting another” sounds like restocking our fridge with depleted items. Our pets are members of the family too.
With the death of a pet many people live in the shadow of their grief. This merely exacerbates the grieving process. When time is not taken away from our work to allow for working through the loss, then emotions become bottled up. All this stems from the fear of embarrassment in sharing what they are feeling. When you hear co-workers respond with: “It’s just a dog, you can get another,” or “Thank goodness it was only an animal,” there is not much to say. This response simply perpetuates the stigma leaving the bereaved feeling isolated and filled with despair. No one should grieve alone.
Grief houses myriad responses, complicating the grieving process. The complexities may stem from a variety of sources such as unexpected deaths, witnessing a traumatic event, or feeling solely responsible for the death. Reactions to these types of complications affect us at every level — physical, emotional, spiritual, and social. We all grieve differently and we need to companion and support one another on the journey experienced due to loss.
We are evolving with sensitivity to this unspoken grief. Thankfully, I have lived to witness the journey of seeing the changes evolve. I will always remember the horrific experience of taking my therapy dog to a local animal hospital. My dog was undergoing many tests due to the mystery surrounding constant weight loss. He was not doing well. One morning we had to take him in unexpectedly as he was hardly moving. They weighed him on the scales and quickly escorted the three of us into the nearest examination room.
Sitting with deep fear in our hearts we gently stroked the fur of our handsome big boy waiting for the doctor to enter. The door to our room was left ajar. While we sat in dread of the “not knowing” the fate of our beautiful pet, another vet walked by. Stuffed under one of her arms was a limp but alive small dog and as she walked by our open room she irritatingly exclaimed, “I have another euthanasian and need someone to help me in the back.” Upon witnessing this event, both of our hearts filled with terror at the thought of our community therapy dog receiving the same death sentence on that cold morning. How insensitive and careless in not thinking about others in the nearby rooms. Needless to say we never went back to that clinic again. Thank goodness our sensitivity has grown exponentially over the past decade. We want dignity for our pets facing end of life challenges.
Many veterinarians now include a quiet room where patients may wait the outcome of their injured or sick pet’s future. One clinic here in the city designed its new quarters to incorporate a quiet room for animals facing end of life. There are two doors so you need not go through the waiting room once you check in and are ready to see the doctor. This fosters dignity and displays sensitivity to meeting the needs of the pets and their guardians. You are invited to take your pet’s favourite toy and blanket to make your animal companion as comfortable as possible. Being in a home-like room is calming when you are already in distress. I have been blessed to experience this with two of my animal companions and having a quiet room was extremely helpful.
And some veterinarians make house calls in order that the pet is as comfortable as possible. Also, this allows the entire family to be involved and creates a ceremonial area right in their home. This also facilitates children or other pets being able to witness the pet’s end of life if they wish. There are many ways to create rituals and ceremony to commemorate your pet depending on the circumstances. Having these options available allows you to be aware of the many avenues to explore prior to an emergency. This knowledge will surely mitigate some of the anxiety when faced with emergencies and end of life situations with your beloved animal. We all can contribute and carry this sentient wisdom in assisting those experiencing the loss of a partnership that fosters happiness and loving kindness. Our animal companions deserve this dignity.
—Straja Linder King is a board-certified clinical art therapist and clinical animal-assisted art therapist. She practices at her Strawberry Moon studio in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with certified therapy dogs Tala Rain, Togo Pogo and Therapy Cat Tadpole.
