To many loving pet owners losing a pet is like losing a member of the family. Many pets are loyal friends and companions and offer their owners unconditional love and comfort that is almost impossible to get from a human. Grieving for the loss of a friend or family member is expected and understood and yet many feel that they are not allowed to mourn when their pet passes on. Often they fear being ridiculed or mocked if they allow their distress to be visible and yet they can be closer to their pet than any human they know.
Pet cemeteries are becoming more common and offer pet owners a place to lay their pet to rest and somewhere to go to mourn and remember them. Others prefer to scatter ashes in their pets favorite place or to keep them close to hand as a reminder. Until recently, these options have been the most common but even so they remain rare. However, as with most things, the Internet is opening up a range of new opportunities.
For pet owners who are unable to retain their pets ashes, or who do not wish to do so, there is still a place where they can remember their pets and give and receive comfort to others who have lost their pets. Pet cemeteries are few...