How can I help my Mother get over the loss of her beloved pet?

Great News - Happy days are here again!!

So happy your Mom's pet was found. To lose a pet to death is awful. To wonder what had become of your pet would be even worse. So glad you had a happy ending and worked out to be a plan for the future.

That is wonderful news

Hi I am mary adrienne slate RN PhD from Salisbury Md. I had to have our 11 years mix black lab shelter dog put to sleep last week. He lost total use of his back legs. As a nurse I had prepared for losing him which is ultimately better than suddenly his dying. One principle of helping is to talk the issue very frequently. I placed photos on the fridge and a cabinet. We read some prays from the Anglican book of common prayer. I often ask others if they had that same experience. A book that helped me: The loss of a pet. by Wallace Sife. Also
time is a healer.

A loss of a pet is hard on all of us, Alz/dem or not. I still mourn the loss of our dog 10 years ago and go back and forth on getting another one (I took it so hard that my husband doesn't thing it's a good idea for me to get another one)(don't blame him one bit). With a loved one with Alz/dem. boy, that's a tough call. My mom remembered their dog, then didn't. It was just day to day. It could be that she is mourning the routine that she had also. Letting in and out, feeding, sitting on the lap, etc. It really depends on how far along she is in her journey. We lost a cat when we were on vacation once and I still wonder where she is or what happened to her and that was 13 years ago. It just plain hurts since they are so much a part of the family. I'm so glad her dog was found but also that she has the new one to focus on. Someday don't be surprised if she really doesn't care about either one of them quite as much. She will pet them and love them but not remember exactly who they are or belong to. Good luck and God Bless