death

As we move from 2015 towards 2016, I am very sad to tell you that we are moving forward without one of our family, because we lost Star earlier this month. I haven’t felt able to share anything about it as to do so would have made it really real, and I just wasn’t ready for that. Losing her was a shock, and left a raw wound in our lives, which will take a long time to ease.

If you've listened to Episode 115 of DogCast Radio you'll have heard Karen Litzinger's interview about adopting older dogs, where she talked movingly and with great joy about her own dog Tika whom she adopted at the age of 11. I've had some sad news from Karen today that Tika has died. She was 14, and you can read about what happened in Karen's own words here. I hope Karen takes comfort from the fact that she gave Tika a wonderfully loving and fulfilling home in her last few years.

Karen is a pet loss counselor and if you are grieving for

Making provision for your dog in the event that you can't look after him - short or long term may be unpleasant but it's an issue you should consider. You can hear excellent advice on the subject from Dawn Antoniak Mitchell from the BonaFide Dog Academy in Episode 53 of DogCast Radio. Here's some more information on the subject:
 

“Julie, I don’t know how to tell you this. It’s Luna.” Those were the words that issued from my mobile phone as I stood in the goat enclosure of a theme park in Cornwall. My Mom was at my house caring for the dogs, cats and the rest of the menagerie while we took a week’s break. Now she was ringing me with the news that every pet sitter – or indeed pet owner - dreads most; one of those in her care, despite her best attentions, had died.

Luna was one of our much loved, and looked after cats. She was an affectionate, agile, dainty, beautiful tortoiseshell cat. She was always the more active of the two kittens we brought home only nine months ago. She never caught up