How to cope with the grief and loss of a pet

Salkeld, Nicola ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2626-965X and Rudolph, Ashley ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9666-9099 (2021) How to cope with the grief and loss of a pet. In: How to cope with the grief and loss of a pet, 12 October 2021, Online event.

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Abstract / Summary

The COVID-19 crisis has prompted us all to think a bit more about death and what it means for us and our loved ones. It has also provided an opportunity to place the importance of talking about death, dying and bereavement firmly on the national agenda.
But talking about death can be difficult. Libraries as safe and trusted spaces in the community can support conversations about loss, grief, end of life planning and legacy through books and reading.
Death and grief are often considered taboo. But what about pet bereavement? Over half of British homes count an animal as a member of the family. During the Covid pandemic, we have seen just how transformative animals can be for human lives. When pets die, the loss is often devastating. If we find it hard to talk about grief, it can be particularly hard to talk about pet grief. Do people take it seriously? How do we explain pet death to children? How can we support each other at times of pet death?
Our expert panel, Diane James who manages the Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Support Service, Julie-Marie Strange, an historian of pets and family life in Britain, and Nicki Salkeld and Ashley Rudolph, authors and illustrators of the children's book, 'Saying Goodbye to Mr Jim', will address the unique heartbreak of pet grief through stories of pet death past and present, fictional and remembered, followed by a Q&A session with Dr Claire Nally from Northumbria University.

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