How To Honor Pet Loss And The Journey Of Grief

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and contains affiliate links. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is Oliver. Our 70lbs, most loveable, and goofball of a dog. He would insist on wedging himself in the smallest of places. Oliver knew his strength, but always kept a meekness that was endearing. He gave love freely, insisting that a back rub was the best way to show it. Pet loss and the journey of grief that follows is a road I was not prepared for.

At almost ten years old we didn’t really think this would have been the year to say goodbye. I’m convinced when you buy a dog you never truly understand how great they are… I wasn’t ready and even as I write this, there is a major part that is waiting for him to come home. We miss him deeply – and I know I won’t force myself to move passed that.

2020 has been a year of significant losses – and Oliver was one for us. We had already seen some signs of age as the mobility in his front paws began to decline causing him to stumble frequently. However within a few months we found out he had a serious mass/tumor by his esophagus. That turned into open wounds we couldn’t stop, declined mobility, and loss of bowel function. So our time was cut short…

Pet loss has a Grief journey

Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them, and filling an emptiness we didn’t ever know we had. Thom Jones

Daily I think of Oliver. Some moments I laugh while others my eyes tear up, because I wish I did more with him. Especially when I watch our other dog look for Oliver as well. A common sentiment I’ve heard from other friends who have experienced a pet loss and is that they should be “over it by a certain time.” I truly don’t think that’s realistic or fair.

To rush ourselves out of grief I think robs a major part of the healing. It’s almost as though we normalize dismissing hard emotions. That the losses which result in missing pieces of our lives should be neatly tucked away in a timely fashion. I’m not sure if we ever fully heal from loss and I’ve stopped expecting myself to.

I was unable to be there when we had to put Oliver down. To be safe it was only a month or so after our youngest was born. However, my husband was and I know his grief is deeper than mine. So when either one of us think of Oliver, we share it. When I sense his sadness I sit in it with him. And in the times we wish Oliver were still around, we say it. There’s no timeline to our journey – it just is.

A special way to honor

Aside from memories and photos, we know that Oliver’s paw print on our hearts and lives is worth honoring. There are so many wonderful things to honor your pets and I love that East Point Foundry has such a special way to do so!

Beautiful custom bronze pet memorials are such a wonderful way to remember your beloved pets and honor them. With a wide variety of breeds to choose from, its a special option. Each plaque is cast in solid bronze for a lifetime reminder of a life- long companion. Will include a stake for outdoor placement if preferred. Also offered in solid cast aluminum with black background and silver polished letters.

East Point Foundry creates elegant tributes in all sizes and designs. Each hand cast plaque is a distinctive celebration of the person or place. And for those that have existing plaques that are aged and worn, they will refurbish your plaques to look new.

If you’re looking for a way to honor your pet or a loved one they are headquartered right in East Point, Georgia. Their team handcrafts rich, high quality cast bronze and aluminum plaques. These beautiful plaques have been used for building signs, corporate facilities, donor recognition and even memorials for schools, churches, and private organizations.

Oliver we miss you deeply, but I wouldn’t have traded my time with you for anything in this world. You were an amazing dog and most certainly most loved by all of us.