Grieving for the loss of a pet, can be a very sad and difficult experience. Feelings of loneliness and despair are normal, yet not everybody can understand this grief. When a pet dies owners can feel that they have lost an important member of their family. By remembering their animals and celebrating their lives, grieving owners can find comfort.

	Jennifer wants to know: "Why are people often not very sympathetic towards people who have lost a pet? "
Claire Branigan said:	People form very strong bonds with their pets and for none pet owners it is sometimes difficult to understand why someone is upset over a loss of a pet. Pets bring lots of benefits such as, friendship, companionship and they are good for our health. It is natural to grieve over a loss of a pet but not everyone can understand.
	Darren wants to know: "My friends will think I've gone soft if I hold a service when my cat dies. How can I convince them to take it seriously?"
Claire Branigan said:	Explain to your friends just what your cat means to you and talk to them about how you would like to mark his passing with a ceremony. If they still don't take you seriously perhaps you can involve other members of your family.
	Greg wants to know: "How can I create a memorial page for my pet on the Blue Cross website? "
Claire Branigan said:	'Remembering your pet' is a new service that has been launched today to enable people to remember their pets. Follow the links on the website www.bluecross.org.uk and there will be a set of simple instructions which will help you create an online memorial.
	Sarah wants to know: "My brother's dog died recently. Is it appropriate to get him another one so soon?"
Claire Branigan said:	The best thing to do is to talk to your brother about how he feels about getting another dog. It is important to remember that another dog should never be seen as a replacement as he will have his own character. He will know when the time is right but don't rush it.
	Peter wants to know: "My seven year old son's jack russell, Jumbo, has recently passed away. He is insisting that he wants another Jack Russell and that he wants to name it Jumbo. I know this is an unhealthy way of avoiding dealing with his grief. What can I do to help?"
Claire Branigan said:	Your seven year old son may be dealing with his first experience of loss. He may be unsure of what death actually means and it's important to talk to him in an open and honest way. Try to explain that Jumbo has gone and wont be coming back and then talk to him about getting another dog but remember to explain that a new dog will be very different to Jumbo. Getting a dog can be maybe helpful, so don't dismiss this and how your son is feeling about it.
	Marie wants to know: "Do you think the death of a pet is more distressing for adults or children?"
Claire Branigan said:	I think that every situation is different and it is a very personal experience so very difficult to say. However, for children it may be their first experience of losing someone close to them and the way in which they and those around them deal with the situation can lay the foundations for how they will cope with losses later in life.
	Superjane wants to know: "What is your role at Blue Cross, Claire?"
Claire Branigan said:	I am a Helpline Co-ordinator for the pet bereavement support service which is a National Helpline and email service, which offers comfort and reassurance to bereaved pet owners.
	Jim wants to know: "Who mans the Blue Cross pet bereavement telephone helpline?"
Claire Branigan said:	The helpline is manned by a network of trained volunteer befrienders who take calls and answer emails.
	Mary wants to know: "My niece's cat has had a stroke and will probably pass away soon. Do you have any helpful suggestions about how to make this time easier for her? "
Claire Branigan said:	Hi Mary! I would suggest trying to prepare your niece for the experience of loss. Talk honestly and openly and perhaps use this as an opportunity to talk about love and loss. Don't be afraid to express your own feelings and remember that children can be very resilient.
	Jennifer wants to know: "What inspired the creation of the online memorial pages? "
Claire Branigan said:	We often take telephone calls from people who are wondering what they can do to mark the passing of their pet. We always encourage people to remember their pets in some way and the creation of the online memorial page service seemed like a great way of offering this.
	Trev wants to know: "Are there any pet cremation services in the UK?"
Claire Branigan said:	There are and if you call our helpline on 0800 096 66 06 one of our volunteers will be able to give the contact details of a pet crematorium in your area.
	Jimbob wants to know: "My son has some goldfish. If / when they die should we make the effort to have a proper funeral or is it acceptable to flush it down them down the toilet (I know it sounds heartless but this is what happened to my fish when I was young!)?"
Claire Branigan said:	Hi Jimbob! My suggestion would be to talk to your son about what he would like to do when his goldfish died. Children often gain comfort from some sort of ceremony or ritual and this can be a helpful way for them to say goodbye.
	Chris R wants to know: "Do you know of any pet cemeteries?"
Claire Branigan said:	There aren't quite so many pet cemeteries but again if you call our helpline they will be able to advise you.
	Tony wants to know: "What's the most unusual pet you've heard of someone holding a funeral for?"
Claire Branigan said:	We take a huge range of calls on the helpline about a variety of different animals/species. Whilst dogs and cats are the most common animals to hold a funeral for it is not unknown for someone to want to mark the loss of a rat or snake for example.
	Bee wants to know: "I would like to get my 6 yr old a pet for Xmas - what would you recommend?"
Claire Branigan said:	We would always suggest that Christmas is not an ideal time to introduce a new pet to the household. New pets require a lot of time and attention and this is not always possible over the busy festive period.
	Haven wants to know: "My dog died 5 years ago and I still grieve for him. Is that normal?"
Claire Branigan said:	Grief is very personal experience and is difficult to put a time limit on it. Haven, you may benefit from talking things through with one of our volunteers who will be able to understand and share your sorrow.
	Kirsty wants to know: "Could I call the helpline any time of the day?"
Claire Branigan said:	The helpline is open from 8.30am - 8.30pm seven days a week, with an answering machine outside these hours. The number to call is 0800 096 66 06.
	Todd wants to know: "I work all day and there is no-one in the house until 5ish. What are my best pet options?"
Claire Branigan said:	There are lots of different options available to you and again I would suggest having a look on the Blue Cross website where there is lots of information and advice about different pets needs. I am sure you will be able to offer a loving home for the right pet.
	Bevan wants to know: "Do you disagree with Taxidermy when your pet passes on?"
Claire Branigan said:	Whilst it wouldn't be my choice, Taxidermy may bring some people comfort at this difficult time.
	Emma wants to know: "Is there someone who will taker care of burying my cat - don't thing I will be able to handle that myself?"
Claire Branigan said:	I can understand that you are concerned about how you might cope on this situation. There are other options available to you and it might be worth talking these through with a befriender. Pet crematoriums offer a range of services and may be an alternative to burying your pet.
	Kerry wants to know: "The Blue Cross literature seems to only focus on helping children deal with the loss of a pet. How about help for older people who lose a pet as losing a pet can be very traumatic for pensioners?"
Claire Branigan said:	The pet bereavement support service does offer support and advice to bereaved pet owners of all ages and from all walks of life. The children and pet bereavement leaflet was developed as a direct response to requests from anxious parents who were seeking advice as to how best to support children through the loss of a pet. Perhaps some specific literature aimed at older people is something we could look at doing in the future. Thanks for highlighting this.
	Sarah wants to know: "Why do you think that people are too embarrassed to admit to their feelings of loss?"
Claire Branigan said:	Sadly, grieving for the loss of a pet is still not always considered as socially acceptable. People are also often very surprised at the strength of their feelings following the loss of a pet and because it is not openly discussed people can feel embarrassed about the way they feel.

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