The Loss of a Pet Quotes

“If you accept that pets can love us as much as we do them, then the logic is clear and cannot be denied. If you believe that there is a heaven for people, then they must be there, waiting for us, when we cross over. Heaven is love, and pets always share that with us.”
― Wallace Sife, The Loss of a Pet: A Guide to Coping with the Grieving Process When a Pet Dies

“Because of our intensified relationship, we get much love and delight from them in life. And we grieve very deeply for them when they die. Because of the unique enhancement they provide in our lives, they become a treasured part of us forever. But it is important to keep in mind that, when a pet’s life ends, more dies than just a beloved companion animal. Since we subconsciously make them into living symbols of our own innocence and purest feelings, it can feel as if a treasured secret part of each of us also dies—as if a giant hole has been ripped out of ourselves.”
― Wallace Sife, The Loss of a Pet: A Guide to Coping with the Grieving Process When a Pet Dies

“It is well known that many well-intentioned people enjoy playing the psychologist. But they can cause unintentional harm, sometimes even making the person who is grieving feel apologetic, defensive, or defective. With inappropriate tactics, those unwise people often try to create the false impression that everything is really fine and that time is the only thing necessary for healing. This kind of misguided advice can cause the suppression of normal grief responses. And it will harm the slow process that must always be painfully worked through before resolution can be achieved. Despite their good hearts, they are untrained and unaware of potential problems they may cause.”
― Wallace Sife, The Loss of a Pet: A Guide to Coping with the Grieving Process When a Pet Dies

“That old adage about time being the healer can be very misleading. Time only dulls the sharp edge of new pain and then gives us a better opportunity to heal ourselves of the worst of it. But some of the ache remains with us forever. Yes, time does help with that transition. But it is not a cure; there is none for this.”
― Wallace Sife, The Loss of a Pet: A Guide to Coping with the Grieving Process When a Pet Dies