Archive for the ‘Pet Urns’ Category
How do I Grieve?
Grieving is unique to every person. We all experience grief in our own way and in our own time. Do not expect that each grieving process will be the same, each loss may be uniquely different than the last one.
Fortunately we have the ability to cry, to wonder, to tell stories of our lost loved ones – and also to even get angry. We also have the ability to reach out to others who have also gone through the grieving experience. The more you use these abilities, the easier it will be to find meaning in our loss. Here are some questions to consider when you are trying to navigate through the grieving process:
How do you individually cope with loss and grief? What have you learned from past losses or from others who have gone through it?
What has helped you or others get through a loss gracefully? What kind of support will help you deal with this loss now and in the future?
Here are some suggestions that may help you deal with grief: 1. Pay attention to your feelings. Write them down in a journal or talk them over with a friend. 2. Don’t assume your current grief will be like the previous ones. You grow with each experience – so you are not the same person now. 3. Create something – art, poetry, or music to express your feelings. 4. Get out and get moving. Walk, run, dance – anything to get your body going and lift your spirits. 5. Spend time with friends who have been through similar experiences. Find a pet loss support group, go out with friends, go to lunch with an old buddy, or visit with your therapist or clergyman. Grief is unique to each person and how succesfully we deal with it depends on how willing we are to feel it and work through it. If you try to repress your feelings, it will make the grieving process longer and more painful.
Pet Cremation Urns are a personal way to say “Good-bye” to your lost loved one.
Grieving the Loss of Your Pet
Most pet owners consider their pets to be fur children or members of the family – not just an animal. At least half of pet owners actually spend more time taking their pets to the vet than going to the doctor themselves. We are also more likely to remember the names of our neighbor’s pets, than the names of our neighbors.
Given this deep and intense relationship we have with our companion animals, it is no wonder the loss of our pets can bring such intense emotional pain and stress. This loss can trigger overwhelming feelings of grief, sadness and depression. You may have trouble sleeping, lose weight, feel tired all the time, and even have trouble focusing. This grieving may even take you to spiritual and emotional edges you have never experienced before, so it’s often tempting to avoid it. Yet, the more you are willing to embrace the emotions of your loss, the better equipped you will be to live and love more fully.
One huge difference between pet loss and the loss of a human, is that our friends never truly understand or appreciate it. They may ask “What’s the big deal? It’s just a pet.” There is an assumption that humans are more important than pets. But for those of us who have truly loved an animal, we can feel just as devastated, if not more, than losing a human loved one. The very things that make pets different than humans often make them more endearing. The qualities of a beloved pet are hard to match in human form. Pets give us unconditional love, they never pass judgement, and they don’t withhold companionship or give you the silent treatment. The loss of this type of companionship can be heartbreaking. Like grief for a human loss, grief for companion animals can only be dealt with over time and in different stages of grieving. Pet Urns are a wonderful way to pay tribute to your lost loved one.
Treatment Choices for Pain
There are a large variety of pain medications on the market available for pets. You and Veterinarian can determine which is best for your furry best friend. Many drugs now come in many different, easily administers forms such as liquids, skin patches and gels. It gives us as pet owners more options than just the pill that is almost impossible to get your pet to swallow!
Basically there are two main kinds of pet pain killers – the Anti-inflammatory or the steriods, and the Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDS). The steroids are used to decrease inflammation and to decrease pain, but are not generally prescribed to be used for prolonged periods. They can have adverse side effects. The NSAIDS or non-steriod forms of pain killers are most often used to treat orthopedic-related pain with fewer side effects. There are also several other classes of pain medications available so it is important to consult with your Vet about which one is right for your pet. Together you can determine the right pain medication and treatment plan to give your loved one a more comfortable life.
When searching for the perfect Pet Urn, be sure to find one that fits the personality and size of your beloved pet. You will need one cubit inch for every pound your pet weighs.
Aging Pets and Exercise
Exercise is one of the most important things you can do for your aging pet. It is yet another aspect of preventive geriatric care for your furry friend. Exercise is a great way to keep your pet healthy and active. If they are cooped up and kept lying down, their bodies and health will deteriorate much faster than those pets who keep moving.
Keeping your pet active both mentally and physically will keep them sharp both in body and mind. Pets that have arthritis also need exercise, but don’t push them and take extra precautions to make sure they are not in pain. If you are just starting an exercise regimen, be very careful to start slow and let your pet ease into it. If your pet is not in good shape physically, it may take a few weeks for him/her to build up to long walks or long play sessions outside in the yard. If your pet is very stiff the next day, or even soon after exercise, you probably need to slow down and take it easier. Be extra vigilant in watching for warning signs that your pet is quickly fatigued or sore, even if he/she is having a good time at the moment.
Cat Cremation Urns and Dog Cremation Urns with a personal tribute are a beautiful way to say “Good-bye” to the 4-legged family member.
Nutrition & Aging Pets
Most older pets will benefit from pet food specially formulated and designed with older bodies in mind. If you have an aging pet, it may be time to check into changing your pet’s diet to include a high quality pet food for older pets. Older pets have a different nutritional requirement than younger ones, just like growing puppies or kittens have different nutritional needs as well.
Obesity is a very common ailment in older pets due to the reduced amount of exercise and also overfeeding. This can contribute to other problems such as heart disease, and should be monitored closely. Special diets formulated with the aging pet in mind can help keep your pet’s weight under control and reduce the consumption of nutrients that are risk factors for the development of diseases as well as organ or age-related changes. If you have any questions or need some suggestions on a good brand of high-quality pet food, contact your Veterinarian fo assistance.
Treasured Friend Memorials carries a large selection of Cat Urns and Dog Urns and Pet Urns of many sizes and styles. You’re sure to find the perfect one for your beloved pet.
Physical Changes in Aging Pets
The physical changes your pet will experience while aging are usually easier for humans to spot than the mental or sensory ones. Many signs that your pet is approaching his/her “Golden Years” are pretty much the same for dogs and cats – and other animals too. You many notice that your furry loved one is not a playful as he/she used to be, moves a bit slower, doesn’t love to go for walks like before, and has started to turn white or gray around the muzzle area.
A very common yet frustrating one for aging pets is inappropriate elimination. The kidneys are one of the most common organ systems to wear out, and as hormone imbalance affects the function of the kidneys, a once well house-trained pet may have trouble controlling his/her bladder. If you work full-time or away from the home for long periods of time, your pet simply may not be able to hold it as long. Also, you may notice that urine my dribble out while he/she sleeps at night. In addition, excessive urination or incontinence may also be a sign of diabetes or kidney failure – both which are treatable if caught early enough. It is crucial that you consult with your Veterinarian if you notice significant changes in the behavior or physical condition of your pet. Early detection and treatment are in the very best interest of both the pet and the pet owner.
Cremation is a dignified way to say good-bye to a beloved companion animal. Personalized Dog Urns and Cat Urns are available in many sizes, styles and can be personalized with photos, tributes and even pet poems.
Pet Hospice Care
Pet Hospice is a relatively new concept, modeled on the practice in human medicine that began in the 1960′s. Pet Hospice is not a specific place, but rather a philosophy. It promotes an alternative to death in an impersonal, clincial hospital environment and teaches that terminal illness and death can be experienced with dignity as an animal rests at home with its loving family.
There may come a time in your pet’s life when fighting a terminal illness or disease, when you as a pet owner need to make a decision. Is the cost of the treatment more than the benenfit? Does the treatment cause your pet more pain or illness without hope of a cure? You may need to decide which is more important for your pet – the quality of life, or the quantity of life?
The goals of Pet Hospice is to give your pet a safe, caring, intimate end-of-life experience at home, in a familiar environment. It is not geared toward curing a disease, but rather keeping the disease from causing your pet any more discomfort. It’s primary focus is on providing pain control and physical and emotional comfort to your pet in his/her last days. It prevents anxiety from hospital care, and allows pets and owners more time together as the pet is cared for at home. Pet owners are given one-on-one time to come to grips with their pet’s disease and and can say good-bye in their own personal way. Hospice helps make a pet’s death a more kinder, intimate experience for both pets and their owners.
Pay loving tribute to your beloved pet with a Pet Cremation Urn with the Rainbow Bridge Poem on it. It is a beautiful reminder who will be waiting for us in the meadows of Heaven when we pass on.
Pet Pain Meds – NEW?
Are Pet Pain Killers new? I couldn’t believe what I found. In the past 10 years Vets have made strides in progress and prevention and treatment of pain, but the field is relatively new.
Up until the 1970s it was believed that infants, animals and the elderly did not experience pain because they could not report it!! HELLO? What were they thinking? If we can feel pain, you can be assured they can too! The AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) has recently issued standards for pain medications to help guide veterinarians in coordinating pain care for thier patients. As a result, more pets are receiving pain meds after surgery – up to 5 days for Spays and Neuters. Lately, some are even prescribing neurological modifiers to change the way the body signals pain. Pets with arthritis are also beginning to get the help they need to enhance their golden years.
Education has been the key to get Veterinarians and the public informed and to change their perception of their pets and pain. Many people assume that old age is slowing down their pets, when in reality it is pain that is the cause. Make sure you observe your pet carefully, and if everyday routine things aren’t so routine anymore, you may want to consult a professional about pain managment.
When the pain becomes too severe to control, and you need to let your beloved companion animal “go home”, a personalized Pet Urn is a dignified way to say “Good-bye”.
Is Your Pet in Pain?
Is you pet in pain? How can you tell? Well since our furry friends can’t verbalize how they feel, just remember one tip “Actions speak louder than words”. You must be observant and note subtle changes in your pet’s behavior that may signify pain. Some of these may be changes in attitude, activity levels, or ability and interest in regular activities. If your pet has lost interest in physical activities like taking walks or climbing stairs, you can be pretty certain he/she is in pain. Also try to keep in mind that a trip to the Vet may not be the best indicator – pet’s will often mask pain in the doctor’s office so observing them at home in a familiar environment is always the best source of information. Some changes may include: 1. Straining to get up in the morning and after naps. 2. Limping during walks or around the house. 3. Your pet no longer jumps up on the bed or onto his/her favorite chair or sunny window seat. You and your familly are the only people who have access to these valuable signs. Take careful notes of any behavioral changes then be sure to share this information with your Vet – it can help improve your pet’s quality of life. When it comes time for your pet to pass on, Pet Urns are a compassionate way to properly memorialize your lost loved one.
Joint Care and Side Effects
Do pet arthritis supplements have any harmful side effects? The answer is generally NO. There have been very few side effects observed in dogs taking Glucosamine and Chondroitin products. One name brand carrier of these supplements, Drs. Foster and Smith have literally sold tens of thousands of these products and have never seen a single, severe side effect. Rarely a dog will vomit or get diarrhea if started on high doses. If the supplements are given with food and in the right dosage, the symptoms usually don’t present themselves. The safety of these supplements make them suitable for long term use. Also, once a pet has been on a quality product for 6-8 weeks, the dose can often be reduced.
If you have any questions about your pet’s artritis and adverse effects from supplements, consult your Veterinarian. If recommended, your dog can be given both joint supplements and an anti-inflammatory pain reliever together. Many dogs taking a natural supplement no longer require a pain reliever. However, some dogs may need to be on a low dose of pain relieving meds to help maintain their comfort while on supplements. Other supplements like pet vitamins and fatty acids are often combined with Glucosamine and Chondroitin and given to pets with no side effects.
When it comes time to say “good-bye” to your beloved furry companion, you can properly memorialize his/her memory with a Personalized Pet Urn.