Mourning for a Pet

Morse (1988-2000)

Pets have an important place in our heart and our lives. They keep our secrets. They provide comfort when we are sad or frustrated, and listen to our dreams and plans without judgment or prejudice. They are partners in pranks or hijinks. They “babysit” our kids and provide comfort when we don’t feel well. They teach us about responsibility, loyalty and unconditional positive regard. They are often considered part of the family, a four-legged “kid” or sibling. And, eventually but way too soon, they teach us about grief and loss.

It is natural to mourn when a pet or animal companion dies. In addition to the sorrow of losing such an important emotional bond, we also lose a self-identified role as the guardian or pet-parent. During its lifetime we provided food, water and shelter. We are willing to spend hours canvassing the neighborhood at any time of day or night and in any weather looking for our lost dog, cat, horse, etc. We decide where we will live or are willing to move depending on the pets-clause in the lease. We invest money (sometimes a lot of it) in its veterinary care and medical/liability insurance. We learn how to administer oral medications and even do insulin injections if this becomes necessary. Ultimately we often have to make that incredibly difficult decision to end our beloved animal’s suffering by ending its life.

As a fellow animal lover, I know how hard the death of a beloved pet can be. I am here to help you work through your grief and the related changes in your life that are going on right now. As a certified hypnotherapist, I offer hypnosis and/or therapeutic guided-imagery techniques that can provide the gentle, emotional healing you need right now. All of my sessions are private and confidential, and I can work with you at my office in Santa Clarita or via Skype. I am currently offering a 10 percent discount on all pet-bereavement hypnotherapy sessions, valid through March 31, 2017. (This offer may not be applied to any other offer and is not exchangeable for cash.)

To set up an appointment, please call me at (661) 433-9430 or send e-mail to calminsensehypnosis@yahoo.com.

Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy® and to set up an appointment, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.

© 2017