For some pet owners, dealing with the loss of a cherished animal companion is as emotionally difficult as losing a member of the family. Fortunately, there are many ways to help in coping with the mourning and grief surrounding your loss, whether the animal was euthanized, lost, stolen or had to be placed in a new home.

"We can help people to talk about their loss," says Cheryl Weber, who runs the Companion Animal Related Emotions (C.A.R.E.) Pet Loss Helpline (877-394-CARE) at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching School. The hotline receives calls from all over the country, and helps pet owners deal with their heartbreak. "It's important for people to reach out to someone who can understand, and we do. When it comes to a pet, not everybody has a large support group. That's where we can help with compassion," Weber says.

As part of the grieving process, Weber suggests that you memorialize your pet such in any number of different ways:

- Make a donation to your local animal shelter in your pet's name.
- Hold a memorial ceremony.
- Keep the pets toys and other belongings in a memory box.
- If your pet was cremated, keep some of its ashes in cremation jewelry.
- If you have children, suggest that they draw a picture, or write a poem or story about the pet.