GOODBYE, FRIEND by Gary Kowalski is one of the best books for when you lose a pet. I recently lost my beloved dog of almost 15 years and I wanted to honor the space in my heart that was heartbroken by losing him. I wanted to save some of the beautiful parts of the book that I loved and share them with ya’ll. 

Their gentle, trusting presence becomes a dependable part of our daily routine. They accompany us in moments of quiet introspection. We sense the warmth of their affection and the depth of their loyalty, forming emotional bonds that can be as strong and nurturing as any other in life. 

Expressions of grief are the way we move through our pain toward acceptance and resolution. We need the opportunity to cry, shout, or shake our fists, if we feel like it- all healthy forms of catharsis and emotional release. It hurts, and we need to say so. Even more, we need to have our feelings affirmed by others. The care and concern of others ensures that we need not mourn alone. Knowing that others have wrestled with similar losses makes our own sorrow easier to bear. 

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened. 

The word euthanasia literally means “good death”.  

Yum