People are deeply affected by significant losses, and the loss of a pet is no exception. Although the ways in which we relate to grief differ between individuals and cultures, contemporary research increasingly shows that grieving for a pet is a real, complex, and legitimate emotional experience. For many people, the pain is accompanied by a troubling question: "Why does it hurt so much?" Sometimes this pain is comparable to or even more intense than that experienced after th

While usually a time for joy, the winter holidays can be more difficult for those who have lost a loved one or experienced the painful loss of a pet. This season, when people gather around family and friends, can amplify the absence of those who are no longer with us. At times like these, some people may wish to find ways to honor the memory of those who have left this world. For those who wish to commemorate their loved ones, the holidays can be transformed into an opportuni