Dog Tries to Help Mortally Wounded Dog - Chile

PET CANCER

Every year, millions of pets are lost to cancer. Leukemia, lymphoma, bone cancer and mammary gland cancer all claim the lives of our beloved pets.

Many tireless efforts are underway, including the work of the Pet Cancer Foundation, a cooperative venture to help pet owners understand and manage cancer and cancer fears and provide a resource for free initial cancer consultations through a pet owner’s local veterinarian. This resource brings cancer consultation to the pet owner and pet, no matter where they are.

To learn more about cancer in pets visit the Pet Cancer Foundation site http://petcancerfoundation.org/content/additionalresources.aspx

http://curecaninecancer.org/

http://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/

PREPARE YOUR PET FOR A DISASTER SITUATION

Getting your family prepared for emergencies should be your first preparedness concern, but what about the family pet? Once you are sure that your family is prepared for any disaster that may occur in your area, turn to the task of preparing your family pet to survive a disaster. Believe or not, preparing your pet is similar to preparing your child.

Because of various laws, Red Cross shelters are not allowed to take in animals during an evacuation, so advanced planning is a must.

In the case of an emergency, you may not have a great deal of advanced warning. For pet emergency preparedness, here are some things you can do:

Have an emergency kit for you and your pet stored in a location that is easy to access, such as by an exit door or garage. Your pet disaster preparedness kit should include the following items:

• Food and water for at least three days in airtight, waterproof containers.
• Medical records and emergency contact numbers in a clean plastic bag or waterproof container.
• Your pet's medications.
• Pet first-aid kit that includes cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors, antibiotic ointment, flea and tick prevention, latex gloves, isopropyl alcohol and saline solution. You should be familiar with all of the items in the kit and know how to use them.
• A pet carrier or crate is essential in an emergency.
• Be sure to have nearby a litter box, litter, newspaper, paper towels, plastic bags and household bleach.
• In case you become separated from your pet, a photo of your pet will help other identify the pet they are looking for.
• Favorite toys, treats, familiar bedding and other items will help your pet handle the disruption of the normal routine.
• Pet ID tags that list pertinent information, such as your name and telephone number, are crucial so rescuers can more quickly reunite you with your pet if you become separated. Your cell phone number and/or the number of where you're planning to go is a good idea to be able to track you down quicker should you and your pet become separated. Also, list contact information on your pet's carrier.

More and more people microchip or tattoo their pets as a means of more permanent identification. Some microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and are implanted in a pet's shoulder area. Special scanners are used at animal shelters and pet hospitals to read the identity of your pet.

When disaster looms, bring pets inside so they won't become fearful and run away.

And don't forget to make arrangements to board your pet in a kennel, friend or relative's house, or pet-friendly accommodation outside of the affected area as far in advance as possible.

Bottom line: Be prepared and your chances are much greater for you and your pet to survive in the event of a disaster or emergency situation.

LILIANA CROCIATI DE SZASZAK - BUENOS AIRES RECOLETA CEMETERY

Liliana Crociati died at age 20 while on her honeymoon in Insbruch, Austria. That same day, also died Sabu, his beloved dog.

To My Daughter
Alone I ask myself, why
You are gone and my heart
Which only wanted you
Is destroyed, why?
Why? Only destiny knows,
Why, I ask myself, why?
It is signed ''Your papa.''

UNDERSTANDING THE LOSS OF YOUR PET

The relationship that we form with animals is unique. The loss of an animal can have an impact on you that are as great as or even greater than the loss of a family member or friend. This bond is what makes our relations with animals rich and pleasing, but also what makes the grief process so difficult.

After your animal has died or been lost, it is natural and normal to feel grief and sadness. Although grief is an internal and private reaction, there are certain stages of grief that nearly everyone experience. By accepting the process, you will be better prepared to manage your pain and to help other family members who share your sense of loss.
There are many stages of grief, but not everyone experiences them all or in the same order. You may experience rejection, rage, guilt, despair, acceptance, and resolution.

• Your first reaction may be denial that the animal has died or that death is coming up. Denial may begin when you first learn the seriousness of your animal's illness or injuries. Frequently, the more abrupt the death, the more difficult the loss is to accept.
• Anger and guilt often follow denial. Your anger may be aimed at people you usually love and respect, including your family and your veterinarian. People coping with death will often say things that they do not really mean, maybe hurting those whom they do not mean to hurt. You may feel guilty for not doing something sooner, for not being able to afford other types of or further treatment, or for being careless and allowing the animal to be injured.
• Depression is also part of the variety of emotions experienced after the death of a special animal. The tears pour, there are knots in your stomach, and you feel weak of all your energy. Day-to-day tasks can seem impossible to achieve. Sometimes you may even ask yourself if you can go on without the animal. The answer is yes, but there are times when special assistance may be helpful in dealing with your loss.
• Ultimately, you will come to terms with your feelings. You can begin to resolve and accept your animal's death. Even when you have reached resolution and acceptance, feelings of anger, denial, guilt, and depression may reappear. If this does happen, these feelings will usually be less intense, and with time will be replaced with loving memories.

Although the stages of grief apply fairly universally, grieving is always a personal process. Some people take longer than others to come to terms with denial, anger, guilt, and depression, and each loss is different. If you understand that these are normal reactions, you will be better prepared to cope with your feelings and to help others face theirs. Family and friends should be reassured that sorrow and grief are normal and natural responses to death.

Sometimes family and friends may not realize how important your animal was to you or the intensity of your grief. Comments they make may seem nasty and insensible. Be sincere with yourself and others about how you feel. If hopelessness mounts, talk to someone who will listen to your feelings about the loss of your animal. Talk about your sorrow, but also about the fun times you and the animal spent together, the activities you enjoyed, and the memories that are meaningful.

If you or a family member have great difficulty in accepting your animal's death and cannot resolve feelings of grief and sorrow, you may want to discuss these feelings with a person who is trained to understand the grieving process. Your veterinarian certainly understands the relationship you have lost and may be able to suggest support groups and hot lines, grief counselors, clergymen, social workers, physicians, or psychologists who can help.

The death of an animal can upset you emotionally, especially when euthanasia is involved. Some people may feel they would never want another animal. For others, a new animal may help them recover from their loss more quickly. Just as grief is a personal experience, the decision of when, if ever, to bring a new animal into your life is a personal one. If a family member is having difficulty accepting the animal's death, getting a new animal before that person has resolved his or her grief may imply that the life of the deceased animal was unworthy of the grief that is still being felt. Family members should agree on the suitable time to get a new animal. Although you can never replace the animal you lost, you can obtain another to share your life.

The time from birth to old age is much shorter for most domestic animals than for people. Death is part of the lifecycle. It cannot be avoided, but understanding and compassion can help you, your family, and your friends manage the grief associated with it. Try to remember and treasure the good times you spent with your animal. You may also wish to establish a memorial of some type or contribute to a charity in honor of your animal.

In memory of Blitz and Hanni Glass
We love you Diana and Steven

IN MEMORY OF SPECIAL FRIENDS

In memory of Pooh Glass

That strength is why I've followed you,
And choose you as my friend,
And why I've loved you all these years...
My partners until the end.

Don't despair my passing,
For I won't be far away,
Forever here, within your heart,
And memory I'll stay.

I'll be there watching over you,
Your ever faithful friend…


October 21, 2007
Martinez, Argentina