Grief is a journey, and for many of us, the loss of a beloved pet can feel overwhelming. In Surviving Pet Loss, author and counsellor Dawn Murray offers a compassionate and practical guide for navigating that deep sorrow with care and understanding.
A Gentle Companion Through Your Grief
Drawing from her personal experiences and professional expertise, Murray has created a comforting resource for anyone mourning the loss of an animal companion. The book is filled with insights that validate the intense emotions pet lovers often feel; guilt, sadness, anger, while offering gentle reassurance that healing is possible.
What makes this book especially authentic is Murray’s experience in pet bereavement support, backed by decades of hands-on work as a pet undertaker. Through years of supporting grieving families at one of life’s most tender crossroads, she brings both a wealth of wisdom and deep empathy. Her real-world experience is evident in every page, grounding the book in both practicality and compassion.
What You Will Discover Inside the Pages
Without being clinical or overly sentimental, Surviving Pet Loss strikes a thoughtful balance. It offers:
- Simple yet profound reflections on the grieving process
- Real-life stories from pet owners
- Tools and exercises to support emotional healing
- Guidance for memorialising and honouring your pet’s life
- Offering advice on how to support children through pet loss, including age-appropriate language and ways to help them express their feelings
The section on children is especially valuable for parents and caregivers, as one often struggles with knowing how to support them. Furthermore, Murray gently explains how children experience grief differently and how to create space to process the loss without fear or confusion. It’s a reminder that healing often happens in small, tender moments.
A Heartfelt Recommendation
As someone who works closely with grieving pet owners and has personal experience with the loss of a pet, I believe this book can be an incredibly helpful companion during the hardest moments. It doesn’t promise quick fixes, but it does provide a safe space to feel, reflect, and begin to heal.
If you’re looking for a book that truly “gets it” in a practical way, Surviving Pet Loss is a gentle light in a very dark time. Dawn Murray writes not only as a professional but as someone who understands the enduring bond between humans and animals.
In my opinion:
“A must read for anyone grieving the loss of a beloved animal companion”
About the Author “Surviving Pet Loss”
Dawn Murray BCA is one of the Uk’s leading pet loss support counsellors, with over two decades of experience supporting pet carers before, during and after the loss of their beloved pets. Havinh personally endured the loss of over 25 of her own companion animals, Dawn brings profound empathy and understanding to her work. Her dedication to raising awareness about pet bereavement has been recognised with honours such as the British Citizen Award for Services to Healthcare and a Points of Light Award in 2021, followed byan invitation to No. 10 Downing Street. Through her platform, Living with Pet Bereavement, Dawn offers free support services, training, and resources to help pet carers navigate their grief
Surviving Pet Loss, (ISBN 9798563257634) is avalaible on Amazon in paperback or kindle version.
In Closing
As a pet bereavement counsellor, I often recommend Surviving Pet Loss to those seeking a gentle starting point in their healing. It’s a small book with a big heart, and sometimes, that’s exactly what we need. If you’d like to talk or need further support, you’re welcome to reach out anytime. You are not alone.
