Second Annual Event Scheduled For Sunday, June 13
St. Louis, Missouri, USA--Losing a beloved pet is painful and
traumatic for
all pet lovers. Often the bereaved must suffer alone with no support or
proper
way to express grief. Extensive research conducted by the Pet Loss
Research
Center has clearly determined that suppressed grief can often lead to
future
physical ailments or troubling behavioral patterns. "Through the
establishment
of World Pet Memorial Day, it is our vision that pet lovers around the
world will
always have the opportunity to acknowledge their losses in a caring and
dignified atmosphere," says Susan Duncan, Center Director. "For one day,
pet lovers worldwide can set aside differences and distances to unite
and
observe a day devoted to the memory of beloved pets, especially valuable
to
those who have lost a dear pet in areas where support is not yet
forthcoming."
Participants include individuals and organizations from such diverse
countries
as the U.S., Japan, South Africa, Ecuador, Germany, France, Australia,
England, Canada and Sweden. Not only are beloved pets memorialized, but
many will take this opportunity to remember other categories of animals
as
well, including Police Dogs killed in the line of duty, War Dogs who
died in
action, animal victims of cruelty or neglect, those lost in natural
disasters and
animals misused in "entertainment."
All animal lovers are invited to participate in a worldwide Pet
Memorial
Candlelight Ceremony by lighting candles at 7:00 p.m. in all time zones
so the
glow of many candles will slowly spread around the globe. Several
ongoing
projects have been established, such as the World Pet Memorial Quilt,
which
will be unveiled for the first time on World Pet Memorial Day 2000,
Trail of
Tears State Forest Letters Ceremony, Balloons to the Bridge, Christmas
Pet
Angel Tree and The Pet Memorial Wall. Information on any project, a Pet
Loss Survey, a list of Pet Loss Grief Resources or a list of Memorial
Ideas
may be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope along with
specific request to:
Pet Loss Research Center
P. O. Box 14447
St. Louis, Missouri 63178
Contact:
Susan Duncan
Paul Aderholt
Phone: 618.637.2202 * Fax: 618.637.2666 * E-mail:
[email protected]
ABOUT THE CENTER--
The not-for-profit Center will conduct extensive ongoing research into
the
topic of pet loss and the effects on individuals, relationships and the
work-
place. All aspects will be continually evaluated and updated when new
research findings dictate. Research will include previously
underexplored
areas such as pets in the afterlife, after-death communication with
pets, and
long-term effects of pet loss grief. All research is conducted within
strict
guidelines, the focus on credibility and science, yet will never be
rigid or
prejudiced in form.
OUR MISSION--
The Center will serve the dual purposes of Education and Comfort. The
research will result in a better understanding of the very profound
nature of
pet loss grief in order to better educate society in general. Used as an
educational tool, we believe the research will begin to generate greater
support
and sympathy for those suffering through the loss of a beloved pet in
households and in the workplace. To those who have lost a dear pet, we
will
constantly strive to provide comfort in the form of information and
grief
materials from a respectful, dignified and "safe" environment.
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