Dear Grown-ups,
If you have come to this page because
you or someone you know has experienced the loss of a beloved animal
companion, I understand the deep sense of grief you are
feeling. Grief is a
complex set of emotions, often experienced by children for the first
time when a pet dies. Children look to the adults they trust for
guidance at such times. I wrote Goodbye, Jake to help adults
talk with children about grief and loss. Cole, the story’s
main character, experiences a full array of emotions associated with
grief. The sensitive dialog between Cole and his grandmother
provides a comfortable way for you to open discussions with your
child. As Cole says goodbye to Jake and contributes his special
stone to the Memory Garden, his words and actions teach that his
feelings are normal and healthy.
Goodbye, Jake is also
relevant for adults dealing with pet loss. When our pets die we
may feel the loss just as strongly as we do when we lose a human loved
one or friend. Sometimes we encounter people who have never known the
deep bond that can
develop between a human and animal. They may be insensitive to
the
pain of pet loss and make comments like, “Snap out of it.
It’s only a dog.” People who are grieving for
their pets are often reluctant to talk about it because of such
callous
remarks. They keep their grief to themselves. Goodbye,
Jake offers comfort and support in the knowledge that the sadness
and grief felt when an animal companion dies are natural responses to any
deep loss.
When we lose our beloved animal
companions, they remain alive through our memories. Goodbye,
Jake will help you teach this life lesson to your child, and remind
you as well of the value of keeping loved ones in our minds and
hearts. Devising your own special remembrance ceremony or place
like the Memory Garden is an active and long- term way to work through
grief and toward healing.
