Ways to cope with the death of your pet

Holly, one of my pets, died recently of advanced heart disease. Though I have 7 other pets, not a day goes by that I don't think of her and feel her loss. If you or someone you know has recently gone through this painful experience or are about to, here are a few suggestions for bringing closure and dealing with the grief process:

- Ask your vet to take a paw print impression, or you can order the kit online and do it yourself

- Take a fur clipping of your pet

- Create a memory book of your pet's life, which can include your favorite photos and special things you remember about your pet (like Holly's penchant for resting on my slippers while she chewed on her rawhide bone)

- Establish an online memorial for your pet. Many pet shelters and rescue group offer these types of memorials, with donations benefiting the shelter. Someone set one up for me, and it was comforting to know that Holly still had a tangible presence in this world.

- If you want to establish a link with your pet in its new world, try a pet psychic. Since there are many who claim to have this talent (and don't), be sure to use someone who is recommended by a friend, who has ideally used the psychic's services and was happy with the results

- Plant a special tree in your pet's honor, such as a Japanese Maple or dogwood tree. Their festive color changes during the different seasons of the year will be a pleasant reminder of your beloved pet.

Financial resources for pet rescues

A friend in rescue passed along this list that may be helpful to someone. It is a list of organizations that can help owners that cannot afford vet care, for rescue organizations, or those adopting homeless pets with life-threatening illneses. I am not personally familiar with any of these organizations, except one. I received a small grant from United Animal Nations Lifeline program when I adopted Buster, a Katrina survivor with stage 3 heartworm. Lifeline paid the grant directly to the animal hospital who was treating Buster.

American Animal Hospital Association
http://www.aahahelpingpets.org/home/
"The heartbreak happens all too often a pet owner is unable to afford treatment and their sick or injured companion animal pays the price. If the owner is elderly, disabled or on a fixed income, the cost ofcare may be too much of a stretch for their pocketbook."

Angels 4 Animals
http://www.Angels4Animals.org
"Angels4Animals, a non-profit organization and a program of Inner Voice Community Services, has a mission to serve as the guardian angel of animals whose caretakers find themselves in difficult financialsituations."

Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance (FVEAP)
http://www.fveap.org/sys-tmpl/door/
"The NEED & The HELP: Seniors, People with disabilities, People who havelost their job, Good Samaritans who rescue a cat or kitten - any ofthese folks may need financial assistance to save a belovedcompanion."

Help-A-Pet
http://www.help-a-pet.org/home.html
"Our efforts focus on serving the elderly, the disabled, and the workingpoor. For lonely seniors, physically/mentally challenged individuals andchildren of working parents, pets represent much more than a diversion."

IMOM http://www.imom.org
"Mission Statement: Helping people help pets. To better the lives of sick, injured andabused companion animals. We are dedicated to insure that no companionanimal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is financially challenged."

Maddie's Fund
http://www.maddiesfund.org/index.html

The Pet Fund
http://thepetfund.com/
"The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit association thatprovides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who needurgent veterinary care."

United Animal Nations
http://www.uan.org/lifeline/index.html
"The mission of LifeLine is to help homeless or recently rescued animals suffering from life-threatening conditions that require specific and immediate emergency veterinary care."

Other Groups Who are Breed or Injury Specific:
Corgi Aid http://www.corgiaid.org/

HandicappedPets.com http://www.handicappedpets.com

Labrador Lifeline http://www.labradorlifeline.org/success/2005-abbey.htm

LabMed Rx For Rescued Labs http://www.labmed.org/aid_main.html

In Memory of Holly

Holly, one of the sweetest, gentlest pets I've ever owned, died of complications from advanced heart disease on September 27, 2007. Holly was a beautiful King Cavalier/Sheltie mix, with a dash of Papillon. She was a rescue that was found wandering a busy highway and was very sick and neglected. We had her only 3 short years, but she left a lifetime of wonderful memories. Holly's memorial fund can be found on the Atlanta Pet Rescue site, a non-profit, no-kill shelter. If you would like to leave a "flower" for Holly, which will benefit homeless pets, please go to the following link: http://www.atlantapetrescue.org/www_ver2/rainbowbridge.htm#H

We love you forever Holly and will see you on the Rainbow Bridge!

Using Foreign Online Pharmacies

A veterinary pharmacist I know recommended using a Canadian supplier for costly medications that my dog was taking to control advanced heart disease. While there are reputable foreign online pharmacies, I had very bad experience with the pharmacy I used, which operates under the names National Drugs and Canamerica Global. I placed a very expensive order, and the shipment arrived very poorly packaged and damaged from a third party distributor in India. I was concerned about whether the drug was legitimate and told the company I wanted to return it for a refund. They flatly refused a refund even though their web page guarantees that you can return it for any reason and get a 100% refund. I had to escalate it to the Better Business Bureau before I got a refund. I would not recommend this one.

Saving Money on Pet Medications

You can fill many human medications that you may use for your pets at Costco or Sam’s Club, and you do not have to be a member of the club to use the pharmacy. With Sam’s "$4 for a 30-day supply" program, many common generic drugs are much less expensive than filling them at your vet. Sam’s web site has a list of all the medications in this program. If they don’t have what you need in stock, ask them if they can order it for you from their supply house. If you are asked at the door for a member card and you don’t have one, tell them you are just using the pharmacy and they will let you in. Some medications that veterinary clinics stock are formulated just for pets, and a human medication may not be equivalent. So be sure to check with your vet to be sure that the human formulation and dosage are safe for your pet.