Resources
Quality of Life Scores
Quality of life scores can help you better objectively assess how your pet is doing and whether it is time to say goodbye. It helps to keep a journal each day. Some owners also prefer using a number system to grade their pet's quality of life each day. Below is a link to a grading chart.
Bereavement/Pet Loss
Losing a pet is never easy. Below are some links to various organizations that can help you with your grief.
Seattle Humane Pet Loss Support Group
Group meets virtually on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month from 10am-12pm.
RSVP to petloss@seattlehumane.org with VIRTUAL PLSG in the subject line.
Phone: (425) 641-0080
Email: petloss@seattlehumane.org
Webiste: https://www.seattlehumane.org
Seattle Animal Shelter Pet Loss Support Group
Group meets via phone/Webex every Thursday from 5:30-6:45 p.m.
Email: saspetloss@gmail.com
Website: http://www.seattle.gov
Healing Pet Grief- Pet Loss Counseling
Contact Mimi Handlin, MSW for individual counseling sessions.
Email: healingpetgrief@gmail.com
Paws to Connect - Pet Loss Counseling
Contact Rachel Wright, MSW, LICSW, VSW-CP for individual counseling sessions.
Phone: (206) 925-3546
Email: pawstoconnectcounseling@gmail.com
Website: https://www.pawstoconnect.com
Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
Website: https://www.aplb.org
Washington State University Memorial Service
Children Pet Loss Resources
It can be hard to explain the loss of a dear friend to your children. Below are some resources to help you navigate your loss.
University of Ohio: Helping Children Cope with the Serious Illness or Death of a Companion Animal
Books
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When a Pet Dies by Fred Rogers (my favorite)
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Best for younger children, straightforward with real (although dated) pictures of pets
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Dear Brave Friend by Leigh Ann Gerk
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Includes prompted writing exercises for older children
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Includes drawing pages for younger children
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The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
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Not specific for pet loss, but great book about connections and how are loved ones never leave us
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The The Rainbow Bridge: A visit to pet paradise by Adrian Raeside
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The Goodbye Book by Todd Parr
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The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst
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Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant
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Cat Heaven by Cynthia Rylant
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Saying Goodbye to Lulu by Corinne Demas
Memorial Ideas
There are so many options for memorial items to help you remember your precious friend. Etsy is one of my favorite places where you can find almost anything you could think of. I have included some links below to some of my favorite memorial ideas. If you need help sourcing any other memorial item idea, please reach out. I will do my best to point you in the right direction.
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Cuddle Clones: Allows you to create a plush doll replica of your pet
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Memorial Shadow Box: This is one of my favorite Etsy shops for creating custom shadow boxes to display your memorial products. They have boxes that you can include pictures and a collar as well
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Parting Stones: The company can turn your pet's ashes into holdable stones
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Artful Ashes: This is a local company out of Seattle that specializes in making glass art with ash
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Memorial Jewelry: There are thousands of options on Etsy for memorials using hair/ash. This is one of my favorite stores that does memorial jewelry.
24 hour Emergency Pet Hospitals
If it's the middle of the night or you need emergent care, there are many 24 hour ER's that are there to help. Please note - due to COVID, ER's are extremely short-staffed and have longer than normal wait times. Please call around to see who can see you before driving to the clinic.
Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital
Address: 11308 92nd St SE, Snohomish, WA 98290
Phone: (360) 568-9111
Website: www.pilchuckvet.com
Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle
Address: 20115 44th Ave W, Lynnwood, WA 98036
Phone: (425) 800-0924
Website: www.vscofseattle.com
Seattle Veterinary Specialists
Address: 11814 115th Ave, Bldg J, Kirkland, WA 98034
Phone: (425) 823-9111
Website: www.bluepearlvet.com
Animal Emergency Hospital of Redmond
Address: 16921 Cleveland St, Suite H, Redmond, WA 98052
Phone: (425) 250-7090
Website: aehr.vet
Emerald City Emergency Clinic
Address: 4102 Stone Way N, Seattle, WA 98103
Phone: (206) 634-9000
Website: www.emeraldcity24hrvet.com
Summit Veterinary Referral Center
Address: 2505 S 80th St, Tacoma, WA 98409
Website: https://www.summitvets.com
Diamond Veterinary Hospital
Address: 3625 Rucker Ave, Everett, WA 98201
Phone: (425) 258-4466
Website: www.diamondvet.com
Animal Medical Center of Seattle
Address: 17518 15th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155
Phone: (206) 204-366
Website: www.animalmedicalspecialists.com
Animal Emergency & Specialty
Address: 12305 120th Ave NE, Suite K, Kirkland, WA 98034
Phone: (425) 827-8727
Website: www.aesvets.com
Aerowood Animal Hospital
Address: 2975 156th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98007
Phone: (425) 746-6557
Website: www.aerowoodanimalhospital.com
Blue Pearl Hospital - Renton
Address: 4208 Lind Ave SW, Renton, WA 98057
Phone: (206) 364-1660
Website: www.bluepearlvet.com
Sumner Veterinary Hospital
Address: 16024 60th Street E, Sumner, WA 98390
Phone: (253) 863-2258
Website: www.sumnervet.com