Pet Eden - Grief Resources for Pet Parents

25/01/2025

A lump formed in my throat as I read this 🤍

02/01/2025

On what would be close to my 10th “birthday” for Pet Eden, I have updated a few things on this page.

Although I am not offering support services as such, I hope the resources and posts I have published over the years, are helpful for those who are facing the loss or anticipated loss of a family pet.

Thinking of you xx

🌈🐾🌺

23/10/2024

Thankyou Dr Katrina for normalising Pet Loss Grief.
As a long time fan of yours and Toby the Wonderdog, I’m grateful that you can share your experience and make people feel seen 💕

21/10/2024

Do you have a special interest in end of life care and palliative care?
If so, You can’t miss this event!
An amazing line up of veterinary professionals from all over Australia.
Online event is eastern states time, so plan an early start 💙

14/06/2024

Trigger warning ⚠️

This was written by a dear friend of mine.
The poem shares a rare insight, in a beautiful way, of a veterinary professional’s “daily job”.

Written by Anin Badra ❤️‍🩹
Thankyou Anin for the permission to share.

Titled: Part of the Job

They say this is the hardest part of my job

I keep her company while the sedation kicks in
He couldn't be in the room for the needles
When he comes back, I'm stroking her fur
Hoping to touch her soul past her sleepy eyes
Both of them are having difficulty breathing

He rushes straight to me
This grown man
This mountain before me

Avalanches

I catch him in my arms
For a stabilising hug
He feels like a dandelion

This stranger, I've only seen maybe a couple of times
This stranger, with the disheveled look of someone who watched her struggling to breathe all night, like his eyes were oxygen therapy and he wouldn't have to say goodbye
This stranger, with water pouring out of eyes and nose
Opened his arms as he walked to me
And I hugged him like I've never loved anyone more
Because she couldn't and she did
And being here for her
Means being here for him
In her last job as best friend

He is wrecked by guilt
Each "I love you"
Means "I'm sorry"
Each "I'm sorry"
Means "I'll continue loving you forever"

"I'm sorry for murdering you"
He breaks
I quickly pick up the glue made of words I keep in my pocket, the corners worn from being used so often
"You put her comfort above your own heart.
That is not murder
That is compassion"
He cries a little as I put my words away again.
I know I'll need them later. I always do.

He can't be with her when the last needle comes in
He can't watch it
Not without
stealing away
Her green dream

"I'll be here with her" I say
For a moment, she is my whole life
Because she is his
And he was hers
And today my job is to be both of them to each other

I held up her vein
Opening the way
For the ultimate all-pain relief
As I feel the injection
rushing under my thumb
I catch her last laboured breath
In the palms of my heart

I carefully take paw prints
With black ink
So he remembers to keep walking
Even in the dark

I worry he might not
When your whole life dies
It feels like your body should follow
So
I make a note on the system
To call him tomorrow
His heart is an infected wound
We will try to keep clean
With the antibiotic properties
Of shared tears

I place her body
In the black plastic bag
Like she's a treasure

His tears
on her fur
will
stay frozen
Until they
burn

They say this is the hardest part of my job

But all I did
Was witness undying love
And hold it in my arms
In my hands
In my ink
And I feel so honoured
To have been allowed in

25/05/2024

💛

08/05/2024

🙌🏻

Embrace your journey of healing and understanding as you navigate grieving for your beloved pet.

Remember, your grief is as unique as your connection to your loved one, and there is no timeline. Take all the time you need, as each step is a tribute to the special bond you have xo

02/05/2024

Today was an emotional one.
6 families said goodbye to their loved ones during my shift today 😢
some visits were planned, some were not.

Today was tough, but I am so grateful I could be there for them and their people 🐱 🐶 🐶 🐱 🐀 🐶 💕

Give your pets a cuddle for me xx

23/04/2024

I was lucky to be able to take time off work when my pet's passed... (well, that and I didn't give my employer a choice!)

It's difficult to work when you are surrounded by animals, however, whatever industry you work in, no one would be expected to do your job if a family member has just died.... and Pets ARE family members!!

It is insane to me to be asked to fill your work obligations when you are upset and can't focus. You are more likely to make mistakes (and some can be catastrophic) when all you can think about is your fur family.

I believe Bereavement Leave should be:
1) longer than 3 days
2) be extended to pet parents
3) allowed to have time off to plan funeral arrangements & seek support

If you feel the same, please consider signing the petition below ❤

314 signatures are needed, let’s get there by the end of the day?

17/04/2024

I had a serendipitous meeting with Danii whilst at the VNCA Conference in Adelaide.

The End of Life Care Package Booklet is very well presented. Although I am still having a time out from offering pet loss support, I am always so happy to meet others in this space.

Rest your Paws 🐾 also offers support with a Counsellor in Perth. I look forward to connecting with Hayley and the team moving forward

11/04/2024

Seen on another pet loss group.
Unsure who to credit 🐴 🌈

07/04/2024

Tonight, I will be grabbing a box of tissues 🤧 and tuning in to ABC TV + iview
I Love how they are showing all the imaginative ways we can keep our soul animals close and their memories alive 🌈🐾