The Scottish Pet Bereavement Counselling Service

13/04/2026

🌟 Sibling Pet Grief 🌟

When we lose a pet, the grief isn’t ours alone.

The pets who shared their world feel it too. 🐈🐕
They may search for them, wait by the door or seem quieter than usual.

And while you’re carrying your own heartbreak, you’re also trying to support theirs.💔

Keep routines as steady as you can.
Offer extra comfort, even if it’s just sitting together.
Watch for changes in appetite or behaviour.
Most of all, be gentle with both of you.

Grief looks different for every species, and every bond.

You’re not just healing yourself. You’re helping them through it too. 🐾💞

13/04/2026

If your pet has been stolen, this event may be of interest to you. Sadly you are not alone in this but you are not isolated. We’re here for you xx ❤️‍🩹

7pm Tuesday April 21st 2026

TO OWNERS OF MISSING/STOLEN PETS

A post to let you know we are all here for you so never feel on your own. 🩷

The owners we have campaigns for know they can message us at anytime but even if you are an owner whose campaign
MUDDY PAWS CRIME Uk & Ireland are not running we offer for you to join our PRIVATE Group which is JUST for owners of Missing/Stolen pets -MUDDYPAWSCRIME -Stolen Pet Owners Support (S.P.O.S.) https://www.facebook.com/groups/405745964734956/

🟣We will be running a FREE 3O MINUTE GROUP ZOOM SESSION FOR MISSING/STOLEN PET OWNERS hosted by the lovely Wendy Andrew from The Scottish Pet Bereavement Counselling Service
WITHIN THE NEXT 2 WEEKS -Date/Time TBC so please message Lisa Loops or MUDDY PAWS CRIME Uk & Ireland to express your interest in this . You don't have to speak, you don't even have to have your camera on. It is a support session to give you coping tips and support at this emotional traumatic time you are all going through . Past sessions have had positive feedback from owners
🟣The group is a PRIVATE GROUP & we vet anyone joining to ensure they are in fact a missing/stolen owner so this is a safe space for you all so you can feel free to post any feelings or if need support from others in the group . Often owners support other owners the best as you all know what each other are going through .
With love from all at
MUDDY PAWS CRIME Uk & Ireland 🩷💙

13/04/2026

It’s been quite a while since I’ve written a blog but there is always work going on behind the scenes.

Some of you may not know that I offer support to those whose pets are lost or stolen as well as those grieving the death of their beloved companions.

MUDDY PAWS CRIME Uk & Ireland do incredible work and their team of volunteers work so hard to reunite missing & stolen pets with their people.

Ambiguous grief is a horrible thing and for many people it’s worse than grieving the death of a pet as they just don’t know what has become of them.

I shall be joining Lisa Loops & the team on Tues April 21st at 7pm to host a zoom for the victims of pet theft so that they feel heard and supported too. Xx 🙏❤️‍🩹

There is a particular kind of grief that comes, not with closure, but with a question mark. And it is heartbreaking. When a pet dies, painful as it is, there is certainty. However, when a pet goes …

09/03/2026

There’s no rush to put things away, donate or get rid completely. Only when you feel ready to do so. Memory boxes can be a comforting way to store treasured items which may not be important to some people but mean the world to you. Xx

Even after your loved one is gone, their clothes may hang neatly in the closet, bookshelves may be arranged just as they left them, toothbrush and razor still in the bathroom.

Sorting through these objects, however inanimate or innocuous, can be particularly difficult when you're grief-stricken.

When the emotional element of loss is added to what to do with these items it can become increasingly difficult and stressful to decide.

My advice...when in doubt...keep it!

You can never get it back once it’s gone.

Grief has so much pain already, why add to it by regretting giving something away before you're ready?

Give yourself all the time you need. Set aside time to decide what to do with your loved one's belongings when you're feeling mentally and physically strong enough to make decisions.

Here's the thing...if it brings you comfort...keep it!

If an item is no longer serving you consider donating it or giving it to someone who may appreciate having a keepsake of your loved one.

The process of dealing with a loved one's belongings is so personal.
What works best for you is the ONLY plan that will work.

Hold on to everything you're not yet ready to part with or decide about, but when it comes time to select which items to keep, choose what you want to live with, enjoy and appreciate.

The things you keep should bring joy to your life and should make you smile. They should make you think of your loved one with happiness when you see them. If they bring you painful memories (like all those medical supplies stacked in the corner of the bedroom) toss them!

Some people have a “just donate everything and move on” personality and others have an “I need to keep everything” personality, and that's okay.

Everyone's grief is unique to them and how they process it is a personal decision.

There's no right or wrong way to do it.

It's up to you...and only you…what to keep, and what to give away.

Gary Sturgis
Author: ‘SURVIVING GRIEF – 365 Days A Year’

08/03/2026

An interesting viewpoint. But certainly we do indeed know the purest love and devotion xx 💔🐾🌈

14/01/2026

Sending love & strength to those who need it xx 💔🌈🐾

10/01/2026

What a beautiful way to support Birmingham Dogs Home - Wolverhampton Centre xx 🥰💔🌈🐾

Remember someone special with our new Wildflower Seed Cards

This biodegradable card is infused with a gentle mix of wildflower seeds, ready to be planted in honour of a beloved dog or loved one.

As the flowers bloom, they become a living tribute as a natural reminder that love never fades.

Thoughtfully designed for Birmingham Dogs Home, each card also helps support the dogs still in our care, waiting for homes of their own.

Let their love live on – beautifully and naturally.

Buy as a gift for someone or in memory of a loved one here - https://birminghamdogshome.org.uk/shop/gifts/wildflower-seed-card/

*Available individually or in packs of 5 or 10. £2.50 – £10.00. Please note these are credit card sized.

Click here for other ways to remember a loved one - https://birminghamdogshome.org.uk/support-us/in-memory/

09/01/2026

I’m delighted to share my most recent piece of professional development.

In the context of pet bereavement, it’s important to understand that people with ADHD may experience their grief emotions with a heightened intensity when compared with many neurotypical people. Not always the case of course but nevertheless it is known that emotional sensitivity is a symptom of ADHD in particular.

I feel it is important to share with potential clients who have ADHD that I have recently, at the age of 50, been diagnosed with this superpower, hyper focused my way through this course and took a deep dive into it so that I can support you in the right way. Transparency matters.

I must stress that I am in no way an ADHD coach or expert but I have made it my business to learn about ADHD as I am very aware of the myths, misconceptions & misinformation which come from a lack of knowledge. Xx 🙏🩷🌈🐾

06/01/2026

As routines resume and many people return to work, grief can begin to show up in new ways.

The structure of daily life, schedules, responsibilities, and expectations- all can feel harder to carry & manage when you are grieving the loss of a beloved pet.
Energy may be lower, concentration more difficult, and emotions closer to the surface.

The Association of Pet Bereavement Counsellors encourages bereaved pet carers to approach this time gently.

Helpful ways to support yourself may include:
• Keeping expectations realistic
• Taking breaks where possible
• Allowing yourself to say no more often
• Creating small moments of comfort or remembrance
• Focusing on the day you are in, rather than the whole year ahead

There is no correct pace for grief.
Always remember that returning to routine does not mean leaving love behind. 🤍

If you are struggling, we encourage you to seek support. Reaching out to a trusted friend, a support group, or one of our trained professional counsellors can make a significant difference. You do not have to navigate this alone. 💜

31/12/2025

I wish you all a healing new year. May 2026 be kind to you. I’ll be back to support you from Monday January 5th 2026.

Pricing information is available via the website & you can send a message to book a session or block of sessions using the link below. Xx 🙏💔🌈🐾

https://thescottishpetbereavementcounsellingservice.com/contact/

20/12/2025

18/12/2025

And not just dogs of course. Xx ❤️🌈🐾

Re-sharing .secret.dog.walker