griefPets

rous strays. in 2014, I had to unexpectedly euthanize both of my dogs within 6 months of each other. The first was my 9 year old, Maggie, and the second was my 13 year old baby, Lola. The night I euthanized Maggie was one of the hardest times in my life or so I thought, subsequently six months I lost my precious Lola. It was then that I found my deepest grief. For the first time I found myself childless. Sleeping became very difficult for me and I was at a loss. That week my four year old niece handed me her very special stuffed animal that she slept with every night and said “Yaya sleep with this.” I was brought to tears by her gesture and gave her the biggest hug. That night I cuddled it the way I did Maggie and Lola and was able to drift off and sleep peacefully through the night. When I woke up the next morning, the idea came to me…a “griefpuppy”. Something to give one comfort and solace during their time of loss. After hours of endlessly searching the internet I realized what I had to do, not just for me but for others in the same situation. After two years in the making, griefPets is the first tactile transitional tool to help people cope with the grief over the death of a pet. The griefKit includes: a stuffed animal, griefPuppy or griefKitty, designed with “healing emotions” in mind, to ignite hearts with happiness, peace, and relief. The pets have a safe microwavable heating pack to help calm and soothe the griever, nurture the soul. The heat pack also gives the pets a more realistic feel than a fluffy stuffed animal. On the chest, there is a hidden pocket to encapsulate mementos and a heart shaped frame for a picture of your beloved pet. The workbook was authored by a licensed therapist, Amy Shore, to assist the griever through the process of grief. The workbook is designed for the griever to journal memories and emotions to honor their pet and the special bond shared…our fur-babies are never “replaceable”, we forever hold them in our hearts.