Our pets are part of our family. According to the 2021-2022 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, 90.5 million homes — that’s 70% of U.S. households — own a pet. Some people underestimate the role these precious creatures play in our lives. I had cats most of my life and losing one never gets easier. The grieving process is the same. Their unconditional love is a powerful force in our lives. For me they provide comfort and remind me every time I walk through the door, I’m home in my safe place. A sense of comfort comes over me. Pets provide so much comfort that is understandable that losing them can be emotionally devastating. Instead of me telling you about the emotional process that I went through when I lost my pets, I found a great article published by Cleveland Clinic. It explains the grieving process and provides some helpful information as to move through this difficult process with love and support.

How To Grieve The Loss of A Pet — Cleveland Clinic

I sincerely hope that this provides some comfort for anyone who has recently loss a beloved pet.

Remember, pets are family!

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I’ve seen dogs in our neighborhood quickly dash out the door as their owners are frantically trying to call them back in. Has this happened to you? There are some ways to teach your dog to stay put. Preventivevet.com provides a simple process that anyone can follow but the key is persistence.

This process simply takes some patience and consistency on your part.

Step 1: At every door, ask your dog to sit. This can be done with a verbal cue of “Sit”, prompting them to sit with a hand signal or lure, or just waiting until they offer a sit on their own. If it is a door with outdoor access, have your dog on a leash for safety. In my video example below, my foot is through the loop of the leash.

Step 2: Once they sit, start to slowly open the door. Don’t open it too quickly or too wide; start easy!

Step 3: If they move out of their sit, the door closes (the consequence of moving too soon = they lose what they want). Help them reset back into the sit position and try again, making it easier this time by not opening the door as wide or waiting too long before release.

Step 4: If they can hold that sit for a couple of seconds as you start to open the door, say “okay!” and allow them to go through the doorway with you. This is their big reward! Lots of verbal praise and petting is great, too, if your dog enjoys it.

Step 5: Slowly increase the amount of time your dog has to wait, and the amount you open the doorway as they hold their Sit and Stay before releasing with your “okay!”

Remember, pets are family!

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