Books For Children
The Goodbye Book
Todd Parr
Through the lens of a pet fish who has lost his companion, Todd Parr tells a moving and wholly accessible story about saying goodbye. Touching upon the host of emotions children experience, Todd reminds readers that it's okay not to know all the answers, and that someone will always be there to support them.
Lifetimes
Bryan Mellonie
Lifetimes tells us about beginnings. And about endings. And about living in between. With large, wonderful illustrations, it tells about plants. About animals. About people. It tells that dying is as much a part of living as being born. It helps us to remember. It helps us to understand.
Sammy in the Sky
Barbara Walsh
Sammy, the best hound dog in the whole wide world, loves his girl and she loves him. When illness cuts Sammy's life short, the girl's family keeps his spirit alive by celebrating his love of chasing wind-blown bubbles, keeping loyal guard at night, and offering his velvety fur for endless pats and tummy scratches.
Missing Jack
Rebecca Elliot
Toby's cat, Jack, is THE best cat EVER. But Jack is getting old - and Toby will miss his furry best friend terribly when he's gone. Then Toby meets a crazy cat called Humphrey. This book addresses the difficult subject of a child's first experience of the death of a pet with warmth, sensitivity and well placed humour.
Saying Goodbye to Lulu
Corinne Demas
Lulu is the best dog a girl could ever hope for, but when she grows older and gradually becomes weak, the little girl must cope with the death of her canine companion. Though she is deeply saddened by Lulu's passing and misses her very much, she discovers that the sweet memory of her beloved Lulu will live on forever in her heart.
The Forever Dog
Bill Cochran
From one year to the next Corky is right there with Mike. Until one day, when Mike comes home from school and Corky isn't there . . . The story of how Mike comes to accept Corky's death forms a simple, poignant portrait of a special friendship that both celebrates the joys of owning a pet and becomes a heartfelt guide for anyone who is coping with the loss of a loved one.
Books For Adults / Teens
Three Cats, Two Dogs
David Congalton
David Congalton and his wife survived every pet lover's worst nightmare - sudden, multiple pet loss. Frankly and tenderly, Congalton chronicles their recovery from the deaths of five beloved animal companions in a house fire. He mixes personal anecdotes with previously published columns and includes extensive pet loss resources.
P.S. I Love You More Than Tuna
Sarah Chauncey
P.S. I Love You More Than Tuna gives us an opportunity to give friends, loved ones, or ourselves tangible comfort during the grieving period, when so many of us feel isolated and misunderstood after a beloved pet dies. The author and illustrator (devoted cat lovers themselves) offer this book as a universal love letter from the felines we've bid goodbye to. It celebrates the special bonds we forge with our four-legged companions and reminds us that their love for us―and ours for them―need never end.
Goodbye, Friend
Gary Kowalski
From the moment pets come into our lives, we know the day will arrive when we have to say farewell. Still, we are never emotionally prepared for the last adieu. In Goodbye, Friend, Gary Kowalski takes you on a journey of healing, offering warmth and sound advice on how to cope with the death of your pet.
Pet Loss: A Spiritual Guide
Julia Harris
This insightful book will help you understand and cope with the many emotional reactions and responses in the grieving process, and guide your child through the emotional pain. There's a chapter dedicated to coping through the trauma of a terminally ill or lost pet. You will find comfort in understanding how different spiritual belief systems recognize and counsel pet loss.