The Grieving Process The EASE Pet Bereavement Counselling service offers a chance to talk through the various aspects of grief that often accompany the loss of a beloved pet. It is a confidential and friendly circumstance where you can begin the journey towards a quiet acceptance of the loss of your companion animal. When we deeply care about our pets they become part of the family, and their inevitable departure can leave us feeling sad and alone. It is natural, of course, to feel grief at the loss of a loved one - be it a cat, a dog, a budgie or any life that was dear - and it is important to take the time and space to work through this grieving process. The grief may also be accompanied by a sense of guilt, particularly when the decision has had to be taken to euthanase a pet. The pain of grief can cause a person to feel shocked and vulnerable. Some people prefer to work through this grief in their own private way, whilst others may appreciate the particular reassurance and understanding that a trained pet bereavement counsellor can provide. The EASE Pet Bereavement Counselling Service This service offers you a warm and friendly one-to-one opportunity to talk things through. Appointments can be made to speak about your loss and to help gain comfort and advice from our trained pet bereavement counsellor. We respect confidentiality and discretion at all times. Please call Angela Garner on: 07870 740605 and she will call you back Angela has extensive experience in companion animal loss, through her own experience with pets as well as her work in animal charities. She holds a Diploma in Companion Animal Bereavement Counselling from the Animal Care College, and runs a pet bereavement counselling service offering support to people over the telephone or via e-mail. Should you get the ansaphone, please do leave a message, and Angela will get back to you quickly. Or write to: Angela Garner EASE P.B.C. Service PO Box 292 Hatfield AL9 6ZJ To support the programme, we have prepared three leaflets: the first introduces the pet bereavement counselling service offered by our trained volunteer counsellor, Angela Garner; the second gives advice and information on after-death care of animals (cremation, burial etc.); the third contains the text of ‘Blemie’s Will’ (reproduced in EASE News October 2001) by American author Eugene O’Neill. We have also produced a tape offering comfort to people who have lost a pet. If you would like any of these articles, please write to EASE at the address above or call 01707 261028.