The death of a pet brings a special kind of grief. Today more than ever, the beloved animal companions who walk with us through life are dear and loving friends, as close to us in some ways as family members. For this reason, the death of a pet can bring a powerful sense of grief and loss, as devastating in its own way as any other grief we can experience. Those who experience the death of a pet need special guidance through the difficult emotions that can come immediately following the loss, or a long time later. In Grieving the Death of a Pet , Betty J. Carmack treats the loss of a pet with the seriousness and gentleness that it deserves and that pet lovers need. Drawing on her own experience, and on interviews with dozens of pet lovers, she guides the reader through the initial loss of a pet to the dawning of new hope and reassurance.