b'Surviving the Loss of YourAnimal Companion. Text and photograph by Laura BassIn March of this year I lost my 15-year-old Maltese, Susie, to ThefounderoftheAPLB,Dr. WallaceSife,PHD,hascongestive heart failure. She was the love of my life. I have lost writtenseveralbooks,essaysandarticles.Hisaward-winningmany beloved animals over the years; each loss leaving a perma- book, The Loss of a Pet, 4th Edition, was the seed for foundingnentscaronmyheart. Theexcruciatingpainandextreme the APLB. I chose this book to be my personal guide in work-sadness I felt from Susies loss in particular, was the worst I have ing through my own issues with pet loss and bereavement. In theever experienced. In addition, it seemed the people around me, book, Dr. Sife discusses the various stages of grief that are uniqueeven my closest family members, did not understand my special to pet loss. He provides a clear understanding of what can berelationship with Susie, much less the immense pain I was expe- expectedandwhatisnaturalwhengrievingthelossofariencing from her loss. I needed desperately to find some kind pet, including profound and pragmatic counseling. The bookofsupportsystemthatwouldhelp functionswellasaguideformovingguide me through the grieving process through the process of bereavement toand toward a place of healing. The most unselfish a place of healing. Anyone who has personally expe- Somebereavedpetownersarerienced a loving relationship with an act in all of life surprised or embarrassed by the inten-animalunderstandstheuniquebond sity of their grief, thinking, somethingthat naturally develops. It is a bond that is to let one go must be wrong with me if an animalnourishes the heart and soul in such a couldmeansomuchtothem,sayspowerfulandpermanentway. These that we have LindaAnderson,Minneapolis,co-are our best friends, our confidants. In found beloved. author with her husband Allen of morecorrelation, anyone who then loses a thanadozenbooksonthebondbelovedanimalunderstandsthevery Author, Kate McGahan. between humans and animals.realagonizingpainandsorrowthat Agrowingnumberoftherapistscomes with that loss. This kind of loss recommend maintaining a bond withcan leave some feeling confused and memories of a pet, rather than trying toalone. Despite best intentions, it may detachfromthosefeelings.Tellingseem as though others in that persons stories about a pet to people who sym-life just dont understand what they are pathize with your loss can be healing.going through. Most likely, those well- Thankstoorganizationsliketheintentionedfamilymembers,friends, APLB, the need for greater compassionco-workers, etc., have never themselves and for providing help to those whobeen blessed with having experienced suffer the loss of a pet is gaining morea bonded relationship with an animal. awareness. What I learned through myIndoingaquicksearchonthe experience with APLB is that there areinternet, I was thankful to have found people out there who truly do get it.theAssociationforPetLossand Pet parents do not have to suffer alone.Bereavement (APLB).This 501 (c) (3) Wehavenotcompletelylostournon-profitassociationisanonline- animals. Their physical presence is nobasedorganizationthatencompasses longerhere,andwewillalwaysmissall issues relating to the loss of a pet. Susie, Lauras 15-year-old Maltese. andneverforgetthem.However,theThewebsiteprovidesawealthof bond we shared and the unconditionalinformation regarding pet loss, as well as compassionate support love that we gave freely to one another will always remain alive.toallgrievinganimallovers. Themostuniqueandnotable I find great comfort knowing that this special love is alwaysservice the APLB offers is the free pet bereavement services held and protected deep within my heart. I dont ever have toprovided via their online chatrooms. The chatrooms are run by say goodbye to it. In addition, with support and counseling fromprofessionally trained volunteers who have all had their own APLB, I learned that the greatest way to truly honor and cele-experiencewithpetloss.Membershipisavailabletothose brate the lives of my beloved animals is to continue moving for-wantingtosupportthe APLBinitseffortstopromotethe ward with my life and make it the best it can be. Ugrowing worldwide pet bereavement community and enhancedcompanionanimalappreciation.However,membershipis Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB).optional. Anyone in need of help can gain free access to the For more information visit APLB.comchatrooms and other resources available on the website. 70THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com'