Blog
Happy Heavenly Birthday, Mico! Celebrating YOU today!
Whenever I wake up on March 19th, it always hits me. My brain takes a minute to register and find the answer to “what is today? Why does it feel like it’s something?” And, then I remember! And, I smile! It’s the day that I picked in 1989 as Mico’s birthday! I can...
Me, the Pet Professional Guild, and my Village People
I’m just coming off an amazing weekend with yet another Pet Loss & Grief Companioning Certification class under my belt! Not unlike any of the other classes, the attendees are all about animals! Just like every other class, it’s a fabulous few days spent with my...
For God’s Sake, Stop Judging!
I know social media can be just the power that some people need to express their opinions, even though they wouldn’t have the courage to express the same opinion in person. But it still rocks my world with everything else going on in our country that people can be so...
Your Why Might Just Show Up In the Rain
Every day I revisit my “why” as it truly gives me the strength, power, motivation and oomph to go do more and be better in my journey! For anyone who’s been in my Pet Loss classes, (if you haven’t done one of them yet, make that a part of your 2020 resolutions to...
A New Chapter Begins! Happy New Year, and Meet Beulah!
When we put Crisco to sleep on October 1, Chris and I talked and reflected on the fact that this was the end of a major chapter of our life together. He was our first dog together. He “welcomed” Ellie into our home, as well as Rudy and Harry. (Welcome is used loosely…...
When DO you get rid of a deceased pet’s things?
I wish I had a dime for every time I’ve been asked this question. I’m not sure if people believe there are some rules as to the perfect time, or if societal rules are our there somewhere on the protocol here. Oh, by the way, you remember my thoughts about society’s...
The Guilt of Being Okay with Death
It’s been over a month since we said good-bye to Crisco. He was a part of our world for 16.5 years, and even though he was only 6 pounds, he was six thousand pounds of personality and spirit. He ruled the house, well at least up until a few months ago when the new...
Crisco’s Lessons for us In Death
It was a hard week with our precious 16 ½ year-old Crisco’s death. He was a huge chapter in our life, and so many memories and passages were marked with his presence. Now we honor him, and every day are reminded of his presence in a new and different way, with his...
How We Let Our Love Grow
I love sharing the love from other pet lovers, and colleagues. The following piece was written by my dear, dear friend and colleague, Bob Jenkins. Take all of this in... You'll love his story! My wife, Annette, and I had been married for several years before deciding...
Pet Loss Avenues for Every Funeral Director
As devoted deathcare professionals, we pride ourselves on being a resource to families during some of their darkest days. You are a beacon of light to those looking for care and guidance while mourning a difficult loss. You may already be assisting clients with the...
The Rescue Pitbull that Rescued Jocelyn, Instead
I love what Eterneva does in their role of assisting loving pet parents in honoring and remembering a life they shared with their special loves. Yesterday I shared out an article I shared with my partners at Eterneva, and in turn I asked them to share with me some...
Pets “Dash” Across Our Hearts
It would be difficult for me to imagine anyone in the death care profession who doesn’t recognize how terribly valuable it is to help families create meaningful experiences in order to honor, mourn and memorialize the lives of loved ones so nowdeeply missed. For...
A Journey through Unconditional Love and Grief
First of all, tell us a little bit about yourself personally and professionally. Professionally, my work experience in the funeral industry started in 1987. Most of my career was spent with Forethought Financial Services. However, the real driver of my pet-oriented...
Understanding Pet Care: Who is your Customer..Really?
Then it comes to pet death care marketing, there’s a paradigm in serious need of challenge. Many businesses, some thinking of starting a pet loss business and some already offering pet loss services, think that the only way to market pet loss services is to make sales...
Celebrating Life, Love, and Mico: 16 Years Later
It would have been on Sunday, sixteen years ago. I can’t believe it’s been that long, even though some days it seems like a lifetime ago, while other days it feels like yesterday. Sixteen years ago, my life, my journey, my world, the start of executing a mission...
Old Man Winter
“Spring passes and one remembers one’s innocence. Summer passes and one remembers one’s exuberance. Autumn passes and one remembers one’s reverence. Winter passes and one remembers one’s perseverance.” Yoko Ono As we bid Old Man Winter “adios,”
The Guilt of Lost and Loss
I wasn’t ready to talk about this yet, but I’m getting desperate and having nothing else to do BUT talk about it. This past Friday our precious and ornery one-eared pussycat went missing. Our beautiful and silly-looking Rudy has been an active and large part of our...
A Living Love Starts Again
Ah, the beauty and joy of a new puppy in the house! After the death of two furry-loves in less than 6 months, I wasn’t sure I could do this again, but alas here we are! So, it happened! I have become addicted to the personality and spirit of a Flat-coated retriever,...
Let’s do National Love Your Pet Day every day!
Why not? Let’s extend this day of celebration as we organically already do, right? I loved taking some time for my morning ritual of reflection and planning, and really thinking about this day set aside to “love our pet.” Hm. I found that interesting as that really is...
Happy Valentine’s Day!
As I sit here, coffee in hand and on this day of love, I’m sure you know what thought comes to my mind when the subject is just that… “love!” I don’t think there’s anything that embodies the full definition of the word love more than our animals. We all hear the …
Love, Grief and Our Amazing Pets
Hello, My Dear Friends… my pet loving friends. I’ve so missed all of you and am so anxious to be back with you. I’m excited to be here with you, to share with you, and to know that I can step right back into this “walk” of life we’re all on, to...