Carrie Ball Pet Bereavement Counsellor Acc Dip Pbc, Cert Pet Bereavement Bc

Off to Hayward Heath tomorrow ready to do what I LOVE. Talking about pet bereavement support and training veterinary staff about the importance 9f end of life support.
#dowhatyoulove #gettingmygeekon

What a beautiful and inventive tribute. You can keep the bedding and cuddle it when you need to. Beautifully made
BEAR In Mind Keepsakes
https://www.facebook.com/401286653571434/ posts/836939680006127/?app=fbl

Today I bring you the letter P. The topic today is People Pressure.
How many of you have been given 'advice' that was well meant but not well placed? How many of you reading this have had people try to coerce or even bully you into moving forward at a pace that was unacceptable or unattainable?
... Most people around us mean well, they want to help but may not take on fully what we actually need. Some people may go off what they would prefer and what would help them, and then they use this to try to 'help' us.
Some examples may be commenting on how you are coping. 'shouldn't you be over this by now?' 'It's only a (insert pet type here)'
Some people may suggest things that they feel would help such as noticing that the loss of a pet is causing pain, so the obvious solution would be getting another? But in suggesting this people only see the very basic issue, that there is a pet missing and so taking on another will make it all ok. However what they don't take into consideration is that it isn't the fact a pet is missing, it is the fact that it was Your pet that is missing, and that is the point.
Some people may try to hurry you along with your grief. They may be uneasy and unable to comfort you in a manner that will actually help and so they try to gloss over it and try to get you back onto their familiar territory.
When someone makes a comment or a suggestion it is important to take a moment, and think about who is making the suggestion, are they important to you and is what they are saying coming from a good place? Are they actually trying to help but misguided? Or are they just trying to hurry you along?
Most people will try to comfort and support you as best they can, but they need to know what you need also. Do you need space, a hug, someone to listen or someone to just acknowledge your pain and just be there in the moment?
Don't feel you have to be rushed, listen to what is being said but only you can decide what is right for you. Speaking to a pet bereavement counsellor may be beneficial, a neutral non biased view that can help you put things in order and see things from a perspective that helps you.
What is the best and worst piece of advice you have received?
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I'm done 😭😭😭😭😭😭

PPet Eden - Grief Counselling for Pet ParentsEPet Eden - Grief Counselling for Pet Parents-Pet Eden - Grief Counselling for Pet ParentsGPet Eden - Grief Counselling for Pet ParentsCPet Eden - Grief Counselling for Pet ParentsfPet Eden - Grief Counselling for Pet ParentsPPet Eden - Grief Counselling for Pet ParentsPPet Eden - Grief Counselling for Pet Parentshave some amazing info and advice. Check out thie latest post
https://www.facebook.com/1530765460528965 /posts/2299672466971590/?app=fbl

Today I bring you the letter O. The topic today is Obstacles.
Obstacles are those things that get in the way of our moving forward, that hold us back whether we know it or not. Obstacles can be mental, such as denial and being unable to accept what has or will happen and then we cannot begin to heal and move on.... Obstacles may be physical such as being unable to move food or water bowls, toys, or a bed.
It is worth remembering that even though we may struggle, we can overcome those objects or mind sets that are impeding our progress.
Do what you can, when you can. Talk to family and friends or a pet bereavement counsellor. Sometimes a different perspective is all that is needed in order to get over the hurdle.
Sometimes we come up against a hurdle or obstacle because we need to slow down, have a good think and process fully what has stopped us. Once we know why we stopped and see where we need to be we can seek the support or answers we need to move on.
Remember, you are not in this alone. You do not have to struggle, you do not have to feel that no one gets it. Please reach out to your veterinary practice, pet bereavement resources and even social media support groups. Whatever is stopping you, there is a way over or around it.
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Fantastic writing by the wonderful @pet Pet Eden - Grief Counselling for Pet Parents https://www.facebook.com/1530765460528965 /posts/2299670450305125/?app=fbl

https://www.facebook.com/786605931413786/ posts/2619716448102716/?app=fbl

****TRIGGER WARNING**** The following video speaks about euthanasia and may be difficult to watch.
However it is a very well put together video. #veteos #mightyvet
... https://www.facebook.com/veteos/videos/39 1928861652658/?app=fbl
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https://www.facebook.com/1875254152753536 /posts/2359298984349048/?app=fbl

Due to the delay in posts i am posting 2 letters in one day to catch up.
Today the letter is N. And to bring you the topic associated with the letter N is the wonderful, compassionate and dedicated Tracey woods
... Tracey is an amazing veterinary nurse and pet bereavement counsellor. She lives and works in Australia, and i am so happy that she has provided her valuable input.
Pet Eden - Grief Counselling for Pet Parents
Normal
What is ‘Normal’?
: Grief is a normal and natural response to loss. And everyone’s grief journey is different and individual.
Normal experiences of grief include:
Crying, feeling lonely, helpless, numb Headaches, feeling exhausted Sleeping patterns change (sleeping more, or unable to sleep) Lack of energy Changes in Appetite, not wanting to eat at all, or over indulging comfort foods Difficulty concentrating on work or hobbies Withdrawing from social events
This is where good meaning family and friends may tell us ‘to get over it and move on’. Easier said than done.
Start off slowly. Start with getting a healthy meal in once a day, a salad or a protein shake. Do some light exercise or a hobby that you get joy from doing. Don’t force yourself to attend parties or gatherings, ease in slowly by catching up with a friend for a coffee (or wine)
Mix up the routine, if you normally took your dog for a walk after work, finding something else to do, like watering the garden or practicing some self care.
We need time to adjust to ‘A New Normal’ - life after our pet’s Passing.
You will never forget your pet, but with time, and action, you will be able to cope with their absence
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Apologies for the delay. Today I bring you the letter M. The topic today is Moving Forward.
I often have clients ask me how they will get through the pain of losing a pet.... How can they move forward?
It would be wonderful if i could say some magic words and the pain would disappear, that the grief would be resolved. Unfortunately there are no magic words, there is no easy way around it. The only way to get over grief and the pain of the loss is to go through it. Be kind to yourself, are you beating yourself up over something that you did or said?
The pain will lessen to a dull ache you can live with, but it takes time and support and kindness. You have been through a very traumatic time, there are bound to be days when you wonder if life will ever be the same again.
Each day is a new day, and each new day is one step closer to closure and recovery.
The pain will lessen, there will always be days that are harder than others. There will be days where we can look back and smile and take comfort in the memories.
Moving forward does not mean that you are forgetting your pet, it does not mean you are suddenly completely ok with what happened.
It does mean that you have accepted that what happened cannot be changed, and that you are learning to adapt and cope with each new day as it comes.
You can move forward and will always have the memories and the connection with your pet. You will always love them and miss them, but it will get easier to put one foot in front of the other.
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Please take a moment to admire and even book some art commissions by this talented artist. Not only is Sarah an amazing RVN she is also very passionate about pet bereavement.
This is her art page. Let's show her some love!
... https://www.facebook.com/2398069150476855 /posts/2412524449031325/?app=fbl
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fantastic courses brought to you by professionals passionate abut what they do. great prices too

Today I bring you the letter L.
The topic today is Loving Another.
I want to make something very clear to you, whoever needs to read this and know this.
... There is no right or wrong time to take another pet into your life after a loss. There is no rule that says you have to even take on another pet.
You can never replace the one you lost, however you can replace the normality of having a pet in the home. You have a lot of love to give and any animal would be lucky to know such love.
If you do decide to take on another pet please do so only because you feel ready. If you know deep down that you are still too raw yet, then that is fine, wait. If you feel that you want a pet sooner rather than later then that is fine too.
If you decide to open your heart to another please bear the following in mind:
It may sound obvious but your new pet is an individual in their own right, with new behaviours, new personality, new coat colour, scent and style. It would be unfair to you and them to take on a pet solely because they look like the one you lost. Sometimes people do this because they want to keep the memory alive, and cannot move through the grief. But then you risk losing out on the new bond and friendship that could be formed if you allowed this new companion to be themselves.
Plus it only causes upset when the new pet does not act like the one we lost. There is no shame or guilt in loving another, there really isn't. It is not disrespectful, it is not removing all traces of the pet we lost and it is not to forget them. You may decide that you would rather not take on another pet, and that is fine too. There is no set in stone rule that says you must.
Whatever feels right for you is right for you.
Take care, and remember that your beloved pet will always be with you in some way.
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Today I bring you the letter K. The topic today is Keepsakes
Keepsakes can come in many forms and are as individual as you are. You can choose whatever you want as a keepsake, whether it is a lock of fur, a nail clipping, a whisker, a collar, a blanket or a favourite toy.
... You can even use the ashes and turn them into a tribute piece. My Pets Ashes have a beautiful range of glassware that can incorporate the ashes. Black Squirrel Jewellery do some amazing memorial pieces all hand crafted and made with care and respect Artemis Cremation Ash & Memorial Keepsake Jewellery do beautiful pendants, rings etc that can be worn always or kept to treasure.
Maybe you want to keep the bedding but want to do something different with it. Andrea's Memory Cushions & Keepsakes. I am based In Atherton Manchester makes beautiful cushions out of a loved ones blankets, so you can curl up on the couch and hug it as long as you need to. BEAR In Mind Keepsakes make beautiful bears and other animals out of a loved ones clothing and bedding, absolutely beautiful and well crafted work.
Keepsakes can be anything that triggers a memory, something that you cannot part with and will keep safe for as long as you can.
Journals are a good keepsake too, making notes about what you are doing day to day, writing to your pet and including them in some way.
Scrapbooks are lovely, favourite photos will bring comfort and take you back to that moment that it was taken. You could write about what memory is brought to mind so that others can share in that moment.
Memory boxes are a nice way of preserving memories, each member of the family can place an item that means something to them inside the box.
What keepsakes have you kept?
I saw a lovely idea where you use a pets water dish and put their collar around it. Then you place a plant in the dish and then there is something to look at and look after that incorporates something that belonged to your pet.
Thank you for reading this latest letter in the series of A to Z of grief. I hope you like it.
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I want to honour your pets in some way. So on the 10th of the month I shall choose a photo that you have sent in and that picture will be the cover for my page for the month. This will continue until the 10th Jan 2020.
please forgive me if i am late, I have fibromyalgia and get brain fog plus I am only human.
... let's see your beloved souls. First posted first chosen so everyone will get a chance.
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You are a kind beautiful soul and helped me and my fiancé very much, thank you for listening and our box and candle are so very beautiful. Thank you xxx

I found Carrie through social media and purchased her book, The Last Visit. It is really easy to read and is so relevant for veterinary staff. I would encourage all veterinary staff to read this book and put it into practice. The human animal bond is so special and I can relate to Carrie’s passion for looking after pet parents when their beloved pet has passed. Thankyou Carrie for writing this book. Will definitely be recommending it to others.

Had my first face to face appointment today and it was so helpful. Thank you so much. I look forward to another one.

Carrie is wonderful at her job, she did some training with me & some colleges from the veterinary field! It’s clear to see she has a heart of gold! She also offered advise to me & emailed me things to print off for my children when we sad lost our beloved family pet! Thank you so much xXx