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When you lose a pet, it's important to surround yourself with people who sympathize. The last thing you need to hear is "Get a hold of yourself -- he was just a dog!" "people often grieve more for a lost pet than for a human being," says Nancy Peterson, an issues specialist for the Humane Society in Washington, D.C. "Who else is so happy to see you after you've taken out the garbage?"
If no one seems to understand the depth of your grief, go to www.petloss.com for kindred spirits. Or call the ASPCA hotline (1-800-946-4646, PIN 1407211); Stephanie LaFarge, PH.D., director of counseling services, will call you back. "People are often embarrassed by their grief," LaFarge says. "I tell them it's totally normal." She also tells them that memorializing a pet by leaving a photo, a leash, a toy, or a bowl around helps ease the pain. As for when to replace a pet, LaFarge recommends waiting at least a month. For some people, she says, getting a new pet can be "as complicated as beginning to date after a divorce."
*Taken from the July 2005 issue of Real Simple magazine.
