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The loss of our beloved dog after 16 years was indeed a heartbreaking experience for me and my family. We relied on each other, and an outpouring of sympathy from fellow dog lovers, to help us through the trying time.

I would like to extend to you some helpful Dos and Don'ts of coping with the loss of a dog. Some were passed along to me by enlightened dog-owners, and others I chronicled during my own grieving process:

Do acknowledge your own grief and that of your family. Experiencing extreme sadness, even depression, after the loss of a pet is common. Your dog was more than just a pet to you, it was a part of your family, a fact that some outsiders may not understand. Don't expect them to; grief is a very private thing, just as the bond you shared with your dog was. Take time to go through the necessary steps of recovery from your grief, even if it means taking a day off from work or socializing.

Don't immediately go out and buy another pet before weighing out all the pros and cons first.

Do have a small memorial service for your pet; this provides children with a healthy forum to display their grief. Be prepared to have a heart-to-heart with your child, as he or she may have questions about death and what happens to all of us when we die. This is especially like if this is their first personal encounter with a tragic loss. Do remember to be discerning but sincere in your responses; how you address this sensitive topic can set the tone for other serious discussions in the future.

Don't be rash in deciding what to do with your dog's remains. Speak to your vet about options available to you, and let your family weigh in on the decision-making process. A home burial is not always appropriate, and most cities have strict laws against this anyway. Do consider planting a small shrub or tree in your pet's memory instead.

Do realize that you are not alone; psychologists assert that the loss of a pet can be emotionally devastating, even debilitating, for an individual. Subsequently, there are trained professionals available to help you recover. These include grief counselors and pet loss support hotlines; [Http://www.petloss.com] offers a number of great resources, many of them operating at little or no cost to users.

Some additional tips I would like to offer in helping you or your family members cope with the loss of a pet:

- Write about it. Document your grief and your journey to recovering from it in a journal. It helps to get your emotions out in writing.

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