Journey of Hearts 

There is just starting to be research into how people are impacted by the loss of a cherished pet. Some of the earliest correspondence I had to this site, was from a concerned "grandmother" who's daughter just discovered that her pet of 14 years had terminal cancer.

When we lost our last family pet, last year, I needed to do something to remember him. When I thought about all the pets who aren't loved, are abandoned, abused or die alone, I realized that he'd had a pretty good life, to die as a large dog at age 13. I donated in his memory to the ASPCA and the Humane Society.

The following are a list of possible suggestions for ways to remember your pet.
Please email me email@kirstimd.com if you have others:

• Donatations in memory of your pet can be made to a variety of organizations:
• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

http://www.aspca.org
• Humane Society of the United States

http://www.hsus.org/
• National Humane Education Society

http://www.nhes.org/
• Donatations in memory of your pet to remember Nature's Pets:
• World Wildlife Federation

http://www.worldwildlife.org
• The Living Planet Campaign, WWF


http://www.livingplanet.org/
• National Wildlife Federation


http://www.nwf.org
• The Nature Conservancy


http://www.tnc.org
• Donations to a local animal shelter - to remember all animals which have been neglected or abused, as a way of helping less fortunate animals.
• Volunteer at an animal shelters. They really need help and the little animals, especially cats, like some attention and petting. (A suggestion from Dolores, who volunteered her time in memory of her pet)

• Organizing a walk-a-thon in your pet's name to benefit a local pet shelter.
• Finding out what a local pet shelter needs and donate in memory of your pet.
• Plant a tree in memory of pets at a local park for pet lovers who wish to participate.
• Organize a neighborhood ceremony where poems and ptayers may be offered.
• Contribute to a local spay and neuter program to aid in controlling the pet population.
• Donate a book about pet health to a local library in a pet's memory.
• Participate in the Annual Pet Memorial Day.