Communication with Pet Parents is Important - In Life and In Death

Education about medical treatments is just as important as education about death care processes

Educate your families - on life and death decisions

Dr. Marty Becker just shared an article from the veterinary industry on the importance of clear communication and education within the veterinary industry.  This same communication and transparency of processes should be done with the final care decisions too.  As a pet care professional, tell you families about what they are getting from your death care provider.  Fill out the appropriate forms.  Educate and communicate.  It's a professional's responsibility.

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It's Your Responsibility to Educate The Pet Parents

They want education - Give it to them!

As a pet loss professional - we have a responsibility to educate our pet parents on the various options with pet loss services.  Don't ever look at it as selling - look at it as your obligation to your family.  Because, I don't know about you but I can tell you how I feel when a pet parent says to me - "Wow - I wish you would've told me about "that" because I would've done that."  Pet parents "don't know what they don't know."  Educate them.

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A Pet Parent's Dying Wish

To see their beloved pet before they die

A Dying Person's Wish

Would this be one of your last dying wishes?
The most common wish among dying patients is to see a favorite pet, according to a survey.  In the poll by Help the Hospices, the staff was quizzed and found 60 per cent had been asked by patients to help them see a pet or animal before they died.

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Becoming the Best Pet Loss Professional!

A chance for learning and networking you won't want to miss!

Be a Certfied Pet Loss Professional

Your families and veterinary partners deserve the best!  Further your skills as a pet loss professional - from basic business practices to pet loss and grief knowledge!  Join us here for some incredible learning and networking!

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Unconditional Love - Even in Death

Hawkeye shows his love for his master and friend

Hawkeye Mourns Too

Our pets love us unconditionally,... even in death.

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Pet Parents: A Journey Through Unconditional Love & Grief

Order Yours Today!

Coleen Ellis lost her “baby girl” in 2003, and she was devastated. No one understood how she could be so upset over losing “just a dog,” and she could never really say goodbye to her terrier-schnauzer mix, Mico. To help pet parents everywhere, she opened the first standalone pet funeral home in the United States in Indianapolis. In this guidebook, she helps pet parents, veterinarians, death-care professionals and others celebrate the special bonds we share with our animal companions. Drawing upo...

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How much is too much to spend on a pet funeral?

Make it be about what the pet parent wants and needs!

Mike The Dog's Service

How much is too much to spend on your pet's funeral?  Who's decision is this?  A pet parents or others who might have an "opinion?"

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Pet Parents Say "I Do!"

In life, and in death, Pet Parents want human services for their pet "kids!"

Pet Parents are now looking to have their pets included in their weddings!  One more way to make sure that these pet "kids" are treated like the little people that they are!

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One Good Dog

It's amazing what two lonely souls can learn together.  Even if one soul is a down-and-out businessman and another is a well-fought pit bull.  Told with amazing color and style, this is a must-read!

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GrandPuppies & GrandKitties!

Proud to be a GrandPuppy-Parent!

Grandma Ann & GrandKitty Rudy Doing Some Work!

Did you see CNN last week?  My good friend, Jim Rudolph, made me aware of their latest finding!  Grand-puppies!  The latest demographic to emerge in this crazy pet world,... there are now officially “grandpuppy-parents!”  And, let me tell you - they are a proud group!  

The beginning of the article shows a pet mommy Skyping her fur-kid, Gracie's, grandpuppy-parents.  And, they all look like they are having a ball!  Including Gracie, who appears to be incredibly intent on talking to her grandp...

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Another birthday passed,..

While she died eight years ago, I still remember her birthday like it was yesterday.

The start of a lifetime of love!

Mico's birthday was Saturday, March 19.  I remember when I "picked" that day as her's - some simple math from what the Humane Society told me on her age.  Seemed like a good day to make "hers."  Now, eight years after her death, this day is still hers, and mine.  I celebrate the unconditional love, the lessons of forgiveness and the many other lessons she brought to me in life - and in death.

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Think inside the box when serving families

Give families the service that your team does best!

Help them through your service

Many people think that they need to think outside of the box when setting up a pet loss service,...  Nope.  I give you permission to think inside the box.

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Remembering Ebony

Creating an experience of "saying good-bye" for Ebony's family

Rest in Peace

Families want an experience in mourning, memorializing and paying tribute to a beloved pet.  Ebony's family shares their memories,...

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The Power of Personalization

Honoring Cajun - The Best Dog In The World

Honoring Cajun

Honoring our deceased pets can be so heartwarming.  By personalizing our messages and rituals with these precious pets, we remember them for what they brought to our life.

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Education is key!

From families to veterinarians, make sure your customer understands what they are selling.

Be a resource - EDUCATE!

Many pet parents will rely on their veterinarians to "guide" them when their pet dies.  It's so important that veterinarians understand cremation themselves so they can truly educate the pet parent on the process.  Pet parents WANT the education - give it to them.

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At the holidays, help them remember,...

The holidays are hard,... how are you helping your families?

To Honor Them at the Holidays

For those that have had a pet die, the holiday time can be so difficult.  And, for those that the holiday is the first Christmas, or the first Hanukkah, without their precious pet, it's even more difficult to "celebrate" the season.  Be a guide and a companion to those pet parents who are grieving at this time.

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I WANT to say Good-Bye

Pet Parents want the oppotunity to say good-bye,...

Saying Good-Bye to Mike The Dog

When a pet dies, many times a pet parent is left to deal with their own grief.  In many cases, they want to do something else to honor their deceased pet, they want the opportunity to say good-bye.  However, many times, they don't know where to turn to have someone guide them in this area.  Be a resource to a grieving pet parent - provide for them this opportunity of a ritual like they would do for a human loved one.

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How are you letting families honor their precious pets?

Give them an outlet to pay tribute to this love that was shared

Zeus Hibbs

The main comment that I hear from families who are grieving the loss of their special pets is "Thank you for validating my feelings."  How are you helping families in this area of mourning for the death of their beloved pets?

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See me in New Orleans at NFDA 2010!

I just love sharing information with other pet care professionals - see me in New Orleans!

NFDA 2010

Understanding a pet loss business has more intricacies than one might imagine!  Are you interested in serving pet parents in the loss of their special pet?  Come join me on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at 11:15 am to hear the secrets to this fabulous business!

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Memorialization IS about what you offer to grieving pet parents!

People "don't know what they don't know" when it comes to honoring their pets - guide them!

My Baby Girls Paw Print

In honoring a pet's life, so many pet parents "don't know what they don't know."  Guide them.  Be a resource.  Give them an opportunity to honor their pet with memorialization items.

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Help Your Families Remember Their Pets

Today is National Pet Memorial Day - are you helping your families honor the story

May they rest in peace,...

Today, on National Pet Memorial Day - I honor them.  All of those pets who have died and touched our human souls.  I honor them.  I remember them.  Are you helping your families pay tribute?

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Memorialization Items for Grief Support

Give your families various options for memorialization items - they truly want choices!

Can you tell what Conan loved?

Your families will want to know that you there are various memorialization items that they can choose from to honor their pet.  Pet parents WANT cremation jewelry, creative garden rocks, unique urns, art pieces, and any other type of memorialization pieces for their beloved deceased pets.

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For Paws Hospice Seminar

The learning that you've been looking for!

Understanding another element of end of life care for our precious animals is coming to the Clearwater area!  Pet hospice is one more topic that pet parents are yearning to know more about as they "do everything they can do" for their beloved pets.

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The Center for Loss - 2nd Pet Loss Companioning Course

Are you a pet care professional wanting to further your skills in working with grieving families? Join us here!

A rich experience!

Coming together with others whose mission and passion is working with families who have lost a special pet will prove to be a rich and rewarding experience!  From the curriculum of Pet Loss Companioning topics to networking with other professionals, attendees will leave from this week with a full heart and a renewed passion!

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The importance of memorialization items for a family

How to help a family with a visual reminder, something to hold on to of their beloved deceased pet

Remembering those paws and that beautiful Golden fur

When a family loses a special pet, what the options are to remember these special creatures is a mystery.  This is not an area that people educate themselves on daily.  Therefore, don't hesitate to educate a family on all of their options to remember a precious pet who has died.

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