Greenbrier Pet Loss

Greenbrier's Pet Memorial Day & Open House

2010-09-03T07:08:00.001-07:00

Paws for a Cause 2010

2010-06-07T13:47:00.000-07:00

National Pet Memorial Day

2009-09-10T08:04:00.001-07:00

Karma - even animals

2009-08-26T04:27:00.000-07:00

There's been so much going on these past couple of months that time has seemed to z o o m past me! I've made notes so that I am able to relate some of those things but, right now, I feel compelled to vent about something that occurred very recently.

The headline - "Baker man charged with dumping dead pets"

WHAT! In Jacksonville, this 22 year old's father apparently was contracted by an animal clinic to dispose of their euthanized animals....in a landfill! Well, Son seemed to think that the landfill was charging too much and this wasn't making him enough money, so he took the PETS and dumped them at a local hunting site. This was done over the course of 5 months ( about 100 pets). One pet still had his silver collar on and another, the microchip was embedded in its skin.

Ok, so here's the thing. This is horrible...but what makes it even more so is that they were meant to be taken to the Trail Ridge landfill in Jacksonville and that the Veterinarian from where these pets came from knew that these pets would end up in a landfill and stated, "I'm fine with it."

Again, WHAT! Let me ask you - what's the difference between "dozens of household pets wrapped in plastic bags and unceremoniously dumped in piles" at a hunting site or "unceremoniously dumped" at a landfill?? NONE.

It's absolutely unacceptable that my pet, your pet, any pet that was loved and gave love and companionship be treated so uncaringly, so disrespectful ....like a piece of garbage. We're talking about a living, breathing creature that was once a part of your family...a part of you! Is this what they deserve in the end? Is this how you would want to remember your pet?

I want to state clearly here and now - that every pet, no matter what size, no matter what it is, that comes into our facility is cremated - of course with the exception of those that request a formal burial. Whether the owner requests the cremains (ashes) to be returned to them or not, every pet is cremated accordingly. Every pet is handled with dignity and respect. After all, they were your friends, weren't they?

It also bothers me that this particular animal clinic knew that the pets were going to be taken to a landfill - but did the owners know? I realize that there was a time that there were very few options of what to do when your pet passed. We used to have our own little "pet cemetery" behind our garage when I was growing up. Things are different now.

We offer you options of how to handle your pets' final journey - for every budget. We strongly believe that all pets deserve to be memorialized. I know I cherish each memory I have of my animals that have passed - and that includes my horses, goats and sheep. They each brought me their own special kind of love and they each hold a special place in my heart.

There's already too much harshness and cruelty around us, so when and where possible, we eliminate those that we can. Cremation, privately or as a group, is one way to stop the cruelty in death that we fight so hard to prevent in life. It's the better option than having dozens of pets being dumped in landfills that are already encrouching on developments being built or, as we have learned, rotting in our woods.

Please make sure that you know what is being done when your pet passes. Ask the questions, expect the answers, check your options and demand that your decision be respected as you would with any member of your human family. Don't be misled by the words that your pet "will be taken care of." Know how.

A heartfelt thanks!

2009-05-21T11:57:00.000-07:00

The day already began with its hot and sunny course and the anticipation of what was to come stifled the air a bit more. It was today that the final preparations were to be put into place for the first 'Paws for a Cause' festival that we would host.

The tents stood erect with their festive colors, the balloons bobbed effortlessly at the end their strings and the smell of fresh popcorn being made added to the festive surroundings.

Yes, it was the day of the Festival and through the efforts of the entire Greenbrier Staff, the day ended as smoothly as it began. We can definitely call this a success. Much work went into the organization and planning...from where the vendors would set up to when the contests and raffles would be held.

The Apopka Police K-9 Unit held us in awe as they put Ryco, the german shepard that Greenbrier bought for the Unit, and Neo through their paces. Wonderfully trained and beautiful dogs they both are.

There were even 3 of the pets adopted - taken home right then and there - and 2 more are waiting for their forever homes to be readied.

A fun and worthwhile day! The donations for pet food, toys, and other products were coming in even several days before that Saturday...many area veterinarians contributed much needed items; advantage or frontline, shampoos, food, vitamins...some even gave certificates for vaccinations! The outpouring was unbelievable. Our trailer overflowed with the generosity and each os the 3 shelters left with plenty of supplies.

Everyone's generosity was greatly appreciated and the spirit of goodwill in which all these items were given was felt throughout the festival. I hope that this sort of giving to our furry friends will continue throughout the year.

For those of us that have pets, next time we're in the store, let's buy an extra can or two if possible for those who need it.

Thank you again everyone for making it such a beautiful day - and for those of you that missed it - see you next year!!

Deb

Giving Back

2009-04-30T07:58:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty proud and excited for the upcoming May 16th benefit event that Greenbrier will be hosting for 3 of our area shelters. I'd like to tell you why first...

Basically, I like to plan events and I like to help causes (therefore our Paws for A Cause name).
I like knowing that I'm doing something and giving to those who can't. And that basically comes from the fact that now I can.

I was a single mom, like many, working 2 jobs and still having the hardest time making ends meet and attempting to fulfill every - mom, can I have this....I need that...that emitted from my son. Yea, we had some very scarce times and without the help of some wonderful people where I worked, I would not have had at times, a Christmas tree, a turkey, or even anything extra whether it was food or clothing for my son.

It was heart-breaking for me to say that we couldn't have a dog - professing my allergy - only because I saw it as another mouth to feed...and here my childhood was filled with dogs and cats.

When my son was 9 or 10 I finally relented - only because he brought the cutest, thinnest, stray home and of course, I couldn't turn him away either. My son turned out to be such a lover of animals, having such a special bond with them, and they in turn, always seem to gravitate toward him.

It was those years of struggling and seeing that my son had to do without so many times that makes me the way I am now. My son passed away shortly after his 21st birthday and I've silently promised him that I would care for those stray or homeless who I came across.

And so, here I am. Giving and doing what I can, including providing a home throughout the years.

The Paws for A Cause benefit Festival will help on Saturday May 16th. It will benefit Lake County Animal Services in Astatula, Pet Rescue by Judy in Seminole County and Kindred Spirits Sanctuary in Ocala. Each one is a wonderful organization and they each depend on donations to provide for the animals that they take in. Judy is a great advocate for animals, busily seeking homes for here rescues and giving so much of herself as well. The Animal Servces' funds have been curtailed and the number of animals there are beyond the normal limit. Kindred Spirits Sanctuary houses farm animals that are neglected or left because they have outgrown their home or families have moved.

Everyone's willingness to help us has been amazing!! We have wonderful vendors lined up...25 so far...specialty pet items, holistic healing for pets, wrought iron sculptures, wooden rose items, plants, home decor, pet bakery....

Some of our veterinarians will be there offering discounts on rabies shots, special prices on vaccination packages....

We have the Gator Crusader for a photo opp with his 13-15 ft. gator and a pet photographer so you can have a picture taken of your very own! Plus very exciting for us is the Apopka K-9 Unit presenting a demonstration and bringing RYCO... the German Shepard that Greenbrier gifted to the Police Department. It'll definately be great to see him in action after all his training!

OH and food...we'll present Hats Off Dining from the Lakeland 200 Pig BarBQ fest, ice cream, popcorn....a regular festival.

It should be fun and I am so proud that there is so much willingness to give. We've received a TV, BBQ Grill, Ipods, specialty baskets, power washer...for our raffle, and of course, the pet contests. We're going to have such a great time...all the while knowing that we're giving back to the pets that give so much of themselves to us.

I am really excited about this because now I can help give back. I hope that whoever reads this might want to come and join us! The entrance Fee?? A can of pet food.

Until then...
Deb

Aging...the Unstoppable - (for Ralph)

2009-04-01T05:08:00.001-07:00

Oh, if only aging could be reversed...for us, for pets. There have been amazing techniques in prolonging life but then you have to consider...do you really want to prolong a life if there is suffering??

In animals, we have that choice available to us. We are permitted to mercifully end a struggling life. That is certainly not to say that once a pet is old and the little frailty of life sets upon him; not hearing so well or running as fast, a rare occasional accident in the house, that we should end his/her life. But consider if there is pain, the kidneys failing, the inability to walk, the inability to function and enjoy life as they once did.

Putting your pet to sleep is a very difficult decision. Your Veterinarian is the best to confer with and assist you in making the decision to euthanize. Being able to give your vet the exact signs and symptoms that you see in your pet will aid in this.

I know that each time that I had to euthanize one of my pets that I had such mixed emotions. I hated having to do it but knew that it was the best for them. I feel that this is what they had wanted too, knowing that the quality of their life was no longer as it had been. They had been so loved and I believe that they knew that.

Cremation was my option for my pets also. I have them on the property where they loved to be outside under a tree. Cremations aren't as expensive as one would think (under $200.00) and we also have special packages and urns that you could place their cremains (ashes) in.

A beautiful manner in which to memorialize your furry friend is to have his paw print taken and also to place a metal photo plaque in our newly dedicated Sunset Pavilion - where photos of many are displayed on its walls.

Sometimes, all these decisions; whether to euthanize or not, arrangements for cremation or burial, Memorials, etc., are so difficult to make when the pet passes that you may choose to do so ahead of time. The preneed arrangements you make with us will be kept on file and when the time comes, you won't have to worry about details.

For everyone that is faced with either an ailing pet or one that is aging, we can assist with answering your questions about your options for their afterlife care, the emotions you may feel now in making these decisions and the grief that you feel even now with the prospect of loosing your friend and companion.

Stay in touch and I'll do the same

Debbie
Certified Grief Specialists
Registered Pet Funeral Director

Awakening

2009-02-18T05:24:00.000-08:00

As I sit on the stool I keep by the barn, I listen to Mai-Ling's bleating. This will be her first kid. Mai-Ling is a pygmy goat and the size of her belly only made me think that twins would soon be born.

I sit, the sun warming up the day, and feel helpless as Mai-Ling looks at me and softly now, grunts a bit. I tell her it'll be okay. She bleats, grunts, stretches her legs out and pushes. She's been at this for about a half an hour now and I can tell that she's tired.

Suddenly a little nose appears and I rush to her side. Giving encouragement, along with a couple of pushes on her belly, we manage within a couple of minutes to pop out a beautiful all white female kid. There were no twins but this little beauty makes up for that!

It's Valentine's Day - a wonderful day for a new life to have been borne. But as I continue to sit with this new family and watch the cleaning ritual, I can't help but remember the little ones that I have lost this past year.

It was a rough year, 2008... we lost a mom and her twins to coyotes, 2 mini horses to colic within a 2 day span, and my beloved Pug, Mugsy.

Each had their own little personality, each meant a lot to me and each are still missed. It seems that no matter how many pets you have, they are all special...and mine, to me, were and are all special.

Yet, there are still those few that don't feel that our four legged friends are more than just 'animals.' You have dogs for protection, farms animals you raise for profit (whether food, wool, eggs, etc). and some, well, some are just there. No matter what the reason for their existence, there are many more people that need to realize that these 4-legged beings are more than something they can profit from (in the wrong way), or treat with abuse and indifference; they need to know that they do have feelings, intelligence, are loyal, and are of God's creation as well.

The loss of one of your furry friends can be heart breaking...and it's okay to feel that pain. It's okay to cry, to feel the sadness, the emptiness. I did... and you know the best part, I didn't have to explain my feelings to anyone. I allowed myself to go ahead and feel the loss of my dear friends. If someone didn't understand, I felt sad for them - in not knowing how a pet of any kind can bring you such happiness and joy.

And you know what else, I 'have a life' and my 4-legged friends are a part of it! They have awakened my awareness to 'natures' way of life' more than I could have imagined; the instincts they have in giving birth and caring for their young; the bond that mother and baby form; the playfulness that they all take part in. It amazes me to learn of their wordless communication to each other and that, because of so much time that I have spent with them, that my words now have meaning to them. I've discovered that all pets can get along - the pigs sleep with some of the goats and share their food trough, the chickens run around and then roost on the gates, the sheep are with the mini horses and my Pom runs among them all.

I have learned so much from all my animals; their gentleness, curiosity, acceptance. I have discovered their love, with no conditions....I have discovered how much you miss them, too, when they have passed.

Greenbrier Pet Loss: Grief...The Loss of a Pet

2009-01-05T11:55:00.000-08:00

Greenbrier Pet Loss: Grief...The Loss of a Pet

Grief...The Loss of a Pet

2008-12-18T11:29:00.002-08:00

Well, since I started this blog I think that I should at least begin writing! Although the heading is Greenbrier Pet Loss - this will be about a lot more and a lot of various things - some might be informative, some interesting and some, just for the reading.

I'd like this to be a means by which you may ask any questions you may have regarding your pet's aftercare; options that you have before or after, cremation arrangements you may wish to make, questions about urns or perhaps you may want a burial. We'll always offer an ever-understanding 'ear'.

As stated in my profile, I am a Certified Grief Counselor, but more than that I am a pet owner. ..of a variety of animals;dogs, birds, horses, sheep, goats, fish, chickens, (there's always room for one more!) and I have experienced the grief that the loss of these wonderful loving friends can bring.

I've learned so much from all my pets...I've learned even more while listening to those clients that come to Greenbrier with the death of their pet, so overwhelmed that there are no words to comfort.
Often, so distraught that it is up to us to make sure that the right information is given so that the final arrangements meet their every wish.

This will be an extension of our website; an extension of our service in not only providing for the final journey of your pet, but for providing you with a means to Memorialize your pet and help you through the grief of losing your friend.

We know that any pet that you may have has become a part of your life...one of the family. It's understandable that we feel the same sorrow when that pet becomes injured, ill or has passed away. Your friend leaves an empty spot not only in your home but in your heart when they pass. The familiar yelp, or soft purr is no longer heard and the memory of their furry face or their gentle nudge with their nose, is noticeably not there.

Our intention is to clarify the options, procedures of your pets aftercare as well as ease the burden in having to make those decisions.

Their final journey is as important to us as their life was to you! Feel free to feel your loss.

Debbie