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- Wendy Van de Poll
One of the hardest parts of loving a dog is losing them. Whenever death comes to a pet, it is painful, whether they are young or old, and the emotions that engulf owners as that time can be complex and confusing. But there is help - Wendy Van de Poll is a certified end of life and pet loss grief coach, and she has advice to help you cope with the loss of your beloved dog.
Wendy's experience of supporting owners through pet loss has taught her how to approach it best. Her best tip is to plan ahead. Whether your dog has had a terminal diagnosis, or has died, she suggests that you take control of your grief by making a plan of action. In this interview, Wendy explains in depth, giving lots of practical examples, how you can face the death of your dog.
It isn't easy, but you're not alone, and you can make it easier on yourself by following Wendy's advice. She discusses what "normal" grief is, what the stages of grief are, and what myths of grief exist - and how to manage it all.
You can find out more about Wendy at her website, Center for Pet Loss Grief. If you are struggling with grief, do get in touch with Wendy or DogCast Radio host Julie - or someone who will understand - and take comfort that you are not alone.