• About
    • Let’s Work Together
    • collaboration post. sponsored post
  • Family
    • homeschool
    • marriage
    • motherhood
  • Home & Life
    • recipes
    • travel
  • Start A Blog

Graciously Woven

Creatively Living and Sharing Grace

collaboration post. sponsored post, family

How To Honor Pet Loss And The Journey Of Grief

November 26, 2020 Comment : 1

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.

Previous:
3 Reasons For Low Cost Affordable Tutoring Solutions With Results
Next:
What You Need to Know For A Starry Evening at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens with kids!

Comments

  1. mimionlife says

    November 26, 2020 at 10:24 pm

    Thank you for sharing your memories with us. Our pets are members of the family.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Social

Subscribe Here!

Facebook

Facebook

Affiliates

Blog Meets Brand

graciouslywoven

Carmen | Truth & Grace Living
“Mom he has pom pom hair and there’s animals!! “Mom he has pom pom hair and there’s animals!!” 😍

We have another budding reader in the house!!! I love reading and finding books that encourage our kids to enjoy the same I’m all for it!! 

Being able to find books that are not only personalized but allow my kids to see themselves in the story is even better!!! 

@lionstory.books gifted us this beautiful book all about Izaiah making a change for animals - which is his THING! 

They have a variety of stories and options to make your book special. Thanks to their team you can use code: CARMEN50 for 50% off your own book! 

Check them out parents of growing readers! We love what they’re doing ♥️ #homeschoolmama #growingreadersforlife
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and do Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24

There’s power in praying our family grows in God’s word and even more as we see ways to apply it daily. I’ve come to realize there’s a spiritual home we’ve been called to build it looks like this family.

In our character, how we reflect Christ, and how we model that for our kids - even invite them to do the same.

I started working on this portrait of us and wanted to symbolize how we’re planted. When times have been their hardest - it’s been God’s word that’s sustained us. #foundationinchrist
As I reflect on today, I’m most thankful that be As I reflect on today, I’m most thankful that because of the work done for social justice and continuously happening now, there are resources to celebrate diversity.

Growing up there were 2 options for hair - having “good hair” or achieving “good” hair through relaxers. Natural hair was reserved for mixed girls who had bouncy curls and length. I constantly wished to be “that” mixed girl, instead of seeing the gorgeousness of who I am.

Developing the confidence to love all of me and the hair that I have took years. Lots of tears and redefining beauty. 

I’m so grateful that our boys don’t have to wish for anything other than who they are. Being able to celebrate beautiful natural hair in all its texture has built confidence in them that’s priceless. 

So today I’m celebrating and thanking @youngkinghaircare for making even more space to diversify natural hair for little kings like mine. To remind them that there is value in exactly who they are ♥️ and WE SEE YOU!! 

The ability to find these hair products on storefront shelves now in Target is beyond amazing for our family. 

If you haven’t checked them out - PLEASE DO!! We love the product and the family behind it! #makedreamsreal #naturalhairboys
If we can gift our kids anything - quality time ov If we can gift our kids anything - quality time overrides it all.

Staying intentionally present and less annoyed at the little things. Also taking out my Nikon more this month 📷 

Captured with my 35mm #momswithnikons #sundayvibes
Load More... Follow on Instagram
2021 Graciously Woven 2018. All Rights Reserved. Design by SkyandStars.co
Back Top

Copyright © 2021 · YOON Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in