165: Pets After Child Loss

Today might seem like an unusual topic, but it seems to come up enough that Laura decided to do an episode on pets after child loss. Many of our children who are no longer here had a pet when they died, and quite often it becomes the pet of the parents. When that happens, that animal is more than just a pet, as it gives us a comforting feeling of still being somewhat attached to our child. There are other pareavors who decide that getting a dog or a cat feels needed in our lives. It gives us something to care for that needs us and gives us a reason for getting up each day. Quite often either of those pets have become literal emotional support animals as we walk this unwanted journey. Part of today’s episode includes responses from those who shared these pets with Laura on the GPS Hope Facebook page.   Links Mentioned in this episode: Find out more about joining Laura and Dave on The Grief Cruise. Click here to leave a comment on this episode topic. GPS Hope public Facebook page. GPS Hope private Facebook page.    Birthdays: Lukas Christofferson was born on June 28 and is forever 19. Dominic Cardenas was born on June 28 and is forever 24.   Fill out the short form with the needed information to have your child’s birthday shared with our listeners. The special song “I Remember Well“, which was written by Laura for our children’s birthdays, can be heard on your favorite music app. To hear samples of Laura’s other songs, click here.   Remember to Hold On Pain Eases; there is HOPE! www.gpshope.org   Would you like to have Laura come and speak to your group? Contact us at [email protected]. Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose. It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.