Relationships are complicated. And beautiful. And sometimes devastating.

​

 Maybe you've lost a pet you're madly in love with, and the world just fell out from under you. Perhaps you are grieving the lack of connection you're feeling to a new pet (pet ownership is hard, and bonds take time to develop). These are only the bookends of the range of how we experience grief.  When it comes down to it, the relationship we share with our pet is among the most powerful we will ever experience, so if it pains you, it counts.

​

When we lose a pet, we lose not only their physical presence, but also a part of ourselves. We lose our source of unconditional love and support, the silent witness to the most personal moments of our lives, and the routine and structure that shaped our days. Their little bodies hold precious memories of our past selves, and losing them can signify the end of a certain chapter in our lives. If you have this connection, it's gutting. You'll find support here.

​​

On the other end of the spectrum, pet ownership isn't always the idyllic experience we see in Hallmark movies, and there is a distinct feeling of shame in admitting that the relationship isn't going well. Training has the power to transform relationships, but there is an entire emotional aspect we also need to address. ​ 

​​

Imagine picking someone up at a bar, and before even having a first date, they move in. In any world, this wouldn't be considered the healthiest decision. So while sometimes we get lucky, and that chemistry sparks right away, other times, love is a slow build, getting to know each other and accepting each other's "stuff." There's baggage from both parties to sort through. Expectations to check. Trust to be developed. Patience to be had. It feels taboo, but talking about the hard things can actually save relationships, and I offer a lot of it here. And sometimes, no matter how hard you try to make it work, there are irreconcilable differences, and parting ways is the kindest decision for all.

​​​
​​Why do I do this? We all have hobbies and passions, and writing about different aspects of pet loss is mine. Having simultaneously been entrenched in various forms of grief over the years, I became fascinated with studying it and feel compelled to share what I've learned. It began 8 years ago after experiencing the life-shattering loss of my dog, and then, subsequently, an entirely new type of grief related to not connecting with my next dog. Let's just say it was a bad time in my life, and I didn't feel safe talking about it outside the walls of my therapist's office. Here, it's safe to talk about. There is a no-shaming zone.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​

In addition to my own writing, you will find carefully curated resources that have helped me cope  with all things pet loss. They didn't come from a Google search, my recs are all things I've had experience with- sort of like an Oprah's "Favorite Things" list I've built over the years. Closest to my heart, is a “Tell Your TAIL” page that encourages writing and other creative mediums as tools to not only facilitate healing, but also keep your pet's memory alive.

​​​

 This site intentionally generates no income, so rest assured, there are no ads or affiliate sponsorships.

​​​We all have something that brings meaning to our lives- this is mine.​​​

​

With love from Baltimore, 

Liz