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Pet Loss Grief Counseling Service In Charlotte

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Realty 179530

pet loss grief counseling in charlotteDid you know that there is a free pet loss grief counseling service in Charlotte, North Carolina?  For many of us, losing a beloved pet is losing a beloved member of the family. I've been through this grieving process myself numerous times and personally know many people and family members who have been, as well. Someone who hasn't lost a beloved pet may not realize that the grieving process is very much like grieving for a close human friend or family member who has died. And the sadness over the death of one's dog or cat can linger for a long time, as the bonds between human and animal are often very intense.

 

GracieOur beloved dog, Gracie, whom I rescued 14 years ago from an abusive environment has recently been diagnosed with cancer. And while I know she's 98+ in human years and is not in pain, I also know that there's not much time left. So my personal grieving journey has already begun and I know that when the end comes it will be a very difficult day. That's why I was fascinated to learn (totally by accident) that in Charlotte, we have a free, monthly pet loss grief counseling service.

 

Paws, Whiskers and Wags in Charlotte offers a monthly free support group for adults, which is led by a professional social worker, Jill Shipp, a licensed clinical social worker who has worked in the areas of grief and loss for two decades.  Every year, Paws, Whiskers, and Wags also sponsors  a Celebration of Life for all the pets that passed during the previous year. During this Annual Pet Celebration, those who have lost a pet in the past year take the time to remember the irreplaceable role that our pets play in our lives, and honor their memories.

 

The  Pet Loss Support Group sessions are held on the last Tuesday of every month from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at 2511 South Tryon Street in Charlotte. That means there is a session to attend tomorrow, August 25th. TO REGISTER CALL 980-949-8605, or EMAIL tara@pawswhiskersandwags.com.

 

While this is, by no means, a "happy" topic, it is comforting to know that in Charlotte, North Carolina you can get support and comfort if/when you lose a beloved, four-legged companion through a pet loss grief counseling service.

 

 

Image courtesy of digitalart at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

Posted by

 

 Nina Hollander, RE/MAX Broker, Realtor

 

 

 

Broker, Realtor, MBA, GRI, ABR, SRES, CDPE, SFR, SPS, CMRS
Carolinas Realty Partners with Coldwell Banker Realty
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Disclaimer:  Nothing in this blog article is to be construed as legal advice, tax advice, or financial advice.  For legal advice see an attorney.   For tax advice or financial advice see a tax attorney, certified public accountant, or other qualified professional.

 

Comments (53)

Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Sheila Anderson  hi Sheila... you are right in that one pet doesn't replace another, but I've always felt that when the time was right for a "new" one, the one that had passed was guiding me to that new one.

Aug 25, 2015 12:58 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Oh Nina- I could have used this when we lost our Lucky (Brittany) several years ago.  She was our second Brittany to go suddenly blind but it was the autoimmune disease that caused this that ultimately got her.  I still get a lump in my throat when I think of her last day.  I was in the room with her when she took her last sigh, and I am getting that lump again, so I'll sign off. 

Aug 25, 2015 03:52 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

It's a good resource Nina, and so sorry to read about your beloved Gracie.  What a loving home you provided for her over the years!  

Aug 25, 2015 04:32 AM
Conrad Allen
Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA
Webster, Ma, Realtor

I don't understand why people don't have another pet after losing one.  The love a pet gives is unconditional.

Aug 25, 2015 07:08 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Conrad Allen  hi Conrad, I get what your point is, but I think there are people out there who think they are somehow being disloyal to the memory of the dog or cat they lost by "replacing" them too quickly.

Aug 25, 2015 07:12 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Carla Muss-Jacobs, Principal Broker/Owner  thanks, Carla... somehow it still seems to like it was only yesterday that I brought Gracie home with me and worked for months with her because she had been so traumatized.

Aug 25, 2015 07:21 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Kathy Streib  hi Kathy, I know exactly how you felt writing this. We lost our Max suddenly 5 years ago and I still miss him and get that lump in my throat when I think about him. Even when you get another dog or cat, the one you lost is never fully replaced in your heart.

Aug 25, 2015 07:22 AM
Conrad Allen
Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA
Webster, Ma, Realtor

Some do not want to go through the loss of a pet again so they decide not to ever have another one.  Sad.

Aug 25, 2015 08:53 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Conrad Allen  hi Conrad, I don't get this myself. Except when I was in college, I've always had dogs and/or cats and the house simply seems empty without them. They bring so much joy to our lives.

Aug 25, 2015 09:10 PM
Conrad Allen
Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA
Webster, Ma, Realtor

I wouldn't be without a dog.

Aug 25, 2015 11:17 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Conrad Allen -- I get that Conrad. I feel that way about both cats and dogs, which is why I suppose we have one of each and at one time had two of each.

Aug 26, 2015 07:37 AM
Conrad Allen
Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA
Webster, Ma, Realtor

My wife is a clean freak.  We had a beautiful calico cat named Molly.  I had her since she was a kitten.  Paula had a kitten with all the shedding hair.  She wound up being an office cat until a buyer took her two years later.  We have non shedding Malteses for the last 23 years.

Aug 26, 2015 08:20 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Conrad Allen ~ hi Conrad, I must admit to being a bit of a clean freak myself. But the cat and dog hairs are something I put up with because I love my "babies" so much. Our dogs have always been trained never to get on furniture and they don't. And then my husband brushes our animals religiously, so they don't shed too much inside the house. (Those Malteses are adorable!)

Aug 26, 2015 08:45 PM
Conrad Allen
Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA
Webster, Ma, Realtor

I always liked bigger dogs but I have gotten to love our Malteses.

Aug 26, 2015 09:23 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Conrad Allen my husband isn't a small dog lover (although I love them all); I'm still working on convincing him.

Aug 26, 2015 09:26 PM
Conrad Allen
Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA
Webster, Ma, Realtor

I can never really say no to my wife.  I am glad I didn't with the Maltese's.  We had Tyler for 15 years and Gabby now for 7 years.

Aug 26, 2015 09:29 PM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

I think when it happens suddelnly to a younger pet it is harder (like hit by a car).  What is really hard is when they go out and just don't come home.  You always wonder.

Aug 30, 2015 12:29 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Gene Riemenschneider ~ I've had both older and younger pets pass away and it's hard no matter what the circumstances. Fortunately, I've never been in a situation where they go out and never come home.

Aug 30, 2015 01:49 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

We had a cat I loved.  My favorite cat ever.  He had a bit of an attitude.  But he would stand watch over my kids bedroom and come get me if they were upset.  He would follow us on walks and get winded so we had to carry him home.  He would roam and sometimes be gone for a couple of days.  One day he came home wearing a collar.  I figured he must have another owner.  I meant to put a note on it before he left, but he left and I never saw him again.  I figured he found a more settled home.  He was getting old and maybe ready to be a house cat.  I was sad about it, but better than him dying.  At least in my mind.  I know everyone says to give them a longer life make them house cats,  But my cats love to roam and hunt.  They are not happy inside. 

 

Aug 30, 2015 12:29 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Gene Riemenschneider ~ good morning, Gene... I need to agree with you that cats with a bit of attitude are simply the best. Your cat sounds like he was "part dog." I have one of those now, myself, but I figured it came from living with dogs. We adopted Oliver from the shelter and I think because he's always trying to be an escape artist, he got out of his last home and got lost and never found by his original owner.

Aug 30, 2015 09:53 PM