Recommended Reading

These books may help the healing process after the loss of a pet.

• When Your Pet Dies, by F. Rogers.
• Inter-relations Between People and Pets, by B. Fogel.
• Death and Dying, by E. Kubler-Ross.
• When Your Pet Dies: How to Cope with Your Feelings, by J.E. Quakenbush & D. Graveline.
• "Pet Loss." Contact American Veterinary Medical Association at 1-800-248-AVMA. May also be obtained through most local veterinarians.
• "The Loss of Your Pet." American Animal Hospital Association's Member Service Center at 1-800-252-2242. May also be obtained through most local veterinarians.
• "When Your Animal Dies." Contact American Veterinary Medical Association at 1-800-248-AVMA. May also be obtained through most local veterinarians.
• A Final Act of Caring, by Herb & Mary Montgomery.
• "Companion Animal Loss & Pet Owner Grief," by Mark A. Rosenberg, V.M.D. ALPO's Professional Relations. May be obtained through most local veterinarians.
• Death of a Pet, by Shirl & J.W. Potter, Sr. and George J. Loss
• Pet Loss: A Thoughtful Guide for Adults and Children, H.A. Nieburg & A. Fischer.
• "Pet Loss and Human Emotion: When the Question if Euthanasia." Contact American Veterinary Medical Association at 1-800-248-AVMA. May also be obtained through most local veterinarians.
• "The Loss of Your Pet." American Animal Hospital Association's Member Service Center at 1-800-252-2242. May also be obtained through most local veterinarians.
• Good-bye My Friend: Grieving the Loss of a Pet, by Herb & Mary Montgomery.
• Life Beyond Loss, by Kenneth Doka, PhD. Guideline Publications. While geared toward loss of people not pets, this may still be helpful.
• Living Through Personal Crisis, by Ann Kaiser Stearns.
• Pet Love, by Betty White.

For Younger Children

These resources may help you talk to young children to help them deal with their own feelings of loss.

• The Accident, by Carol Carrick.
• Answers to a Child's Questions About Death, by Peter Stillman.
• The Dead Bird, by Margaret Wise Brown.
• Freddie, the Leaf, by Leo Buscaglia.
• I'll Always Love You, by Hans Wilhelm.
• Mustard, by Charlotte Graeber.
• Oh, Where Has My Pet Gone? by S. Sibbit. This book is also good for older children and adults.
• The Tenth Good Thing About Barney, by Judith Viorst.
• Saying Goodbye Activity Book, by J. Boulden.

For Older Children

For children who are reading chapter books, these books may provide comfort.

• Charlotte's Web, by E.B. White.
• Growing Time, by Sandol Stoddard Warburg.
• It Must Hurt a Lot, by Doris Sanford.
• Lifetimes, by Brian Mellonie and Robert Ingpen.
• Living with Death, by Judith Bisiganaro. A version is also available for children 4–10 years of age.
• The Yearling, by Marjorie Rawlings.

Back to
Support Group