09/04/2024
The loss of a pet can be devastating. Our community is lucky enough to have multiple resources, including Whatcom Humane Society's monthly Pet Loss Support Group. Meeting the first Wednesday of each month, this group provides ongoing support to anyone who has experienced or is anticipating the loss of a pet. Check out this article written by one of the group's volunteers for more information and insight into how this group helps support those who are grieving.
Check out the wonderful article below regarding the WHS Pet Loss Support Group, written by one of our dedicated pet loss support group volunteers. The next WHS Pet Loss Support Group meets this Wednesday, September 4th at 6pm at WHS.
Pet Loss Support/Whatcom Humane Society
Written by: Michael Berres, WHS pet loss support group volunteer
On the first Wednesday evening of each month, people experiencing the loss of their pets or facing hard decisions on ending a pet’s pain or illness meet at our Humane Society. They usually come as strangers feeling alone and isolated in their grief. While the WHS Pet Loss Support Group doesn’t end the sadness, it helps people understand that they aren’t unique or alone in their grief. And sometimes, people who started as strangers walk away as friends.
With two WHS facilitators for each session, people share the stories of their pets—most often dogs or cats. We see their photos, listen to how four-leggeds and two-leggeds met, understand the unique personality quirks of each pet, and usually hear one or more funny stories about each pet. We almost always hear the incredible sagas of what people do to help their furry family members go through disease and weakening. We hear about the indecision that everyone goes through as they are never quite sure if they “did enough” or “did I miss obvious cues” or “was I home enough at the critical moments” or …..
We hear so many stories of people being misunderstood by friends or family members as they go through their grief. People are told things like: “It’s just a cat; you’ll get over it” or “Well…go out and get another dog or cat” or “Your sadness will soon pass”. For the folks coming to Pet Loss Support, it’s not “just a dog” or “just a cat.” It’s a life partnership with unconditional love and affection (and sometimes annoyance and sometimes disbelief) that is deeply embedded in who we are.
Losing pets or facing that loss is perhaps the hardest time in our loving our critters. It’s inevitable because they generally live shorter times than we humans live. Every person does grief in their own way—the Pet Loss Support facilitators and other participants honor the unique way that each person does their grieving process. We’ve learned that some folks grieve deeply for weeks while others grieve deeply for years. We’ve learned that almost everyone finds the silence of their missing pets to be deafening—no more dog tags clanging on water bowls; no nails screeching across hardwood floors during zoomie moments; no more purring from underneath what was supposed to be your blanket and but became your cat’s blanket; no more whining to go outside for the 15th time in a day; and no more monster howls because a squirrel has walked across your back porch.
The Pet Loss Support Group meets the first Wednesday of each month upstairs at WHS from 6:00 until 7:15 PM. The group is free and doesn’t require pre-registration. You are welcome to come as often as you wish. It is helpful to bring a photo of your pet. The group doesn’t provide or pretend to be a clinical therapy experience, but we do provide a caring and supportive place to be when you go through or are facing the loss of your pet. For more information or questions, please call (360) 733-2080 x3116
