Today we are travelling back 27 years ago to 1997. The year when the average cost of a gallon of milk was $2.67. The national average gas price was $1.23. 1997 is also the year NASA’s Pathway Probe lands on Mars. The year of the Green Bay Packers first Super Bowl win. Although I may be biased, one of the most exciting things about 1997 was the birth of World by The Tail, Inc., home of the best pawprint keepsake – ClayPaws®, the Original Paw Print Kit™. On April 27th, we will be celebrating 27 years in business – our… Continue Reading
Pet Loss Linking Objects
Dog beds, fur covered blankets, dog bowls, their favorite squeaky toy – these are just a few things that can be hard to face after pet loss. I find it difficult to look at those now empty items, but also struggle to hide them away. It can be a hard battle between moving on and wanting to keep the connection with the companion you have lost. I, myself, find comfort in hanging my dog’s collars on my rearview mirror. This reminds me of all the car rides and adventures we were lucky enough to share together. Our family also displays… Continue Reading
Coping with Pet Loss During the Holidays
The holidays are now in full swing. Family visiting from out of town, students on winter break, decorations going up, shopping being done, the list can go on. We know although this is a festive time of year, it can be a heavy time in your profession. We hear from many of our customers who make comments about how they “better stock up for the holidays” as the rise of euthanasia is prevalent. Although there is no solid data for pet euthanasia during the holidays, many veterinarians usually see a 20-50% increase. Environmental factors and family dynamics are believed to… Continue Reading
In-Home Euthanasia
In 2021, we had our senior dog Nova euthanized due to her Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome diminishing her quality of life. Having an in-home euthanasia veterinarian come to us meant she could stay in the one environment that was still familiar to her. Knowing she wasn’t stressed and confused in her last moments made the healing process significantly easier for me. I’ll forever be grateful for that resource. Being able to stay home during the euthanasia process provides privacy for grief that a lot of people prefer. Not to mention a stress-free environment for their pet. Psychotherapist and Thanatologist, Andrea Warnick… Continue Reading
Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
In your profession, and maybe as a bereaved pet parent yourself, you are likely familiar with the “Rainbow Bridge”. A touching poem which talks about what is believed to be a connection between heaven and earth. A place where our once sick or old pets are made new and wait to be reunited with us. Because of its words of comfort and hope, this poem has become a condolence standard in many veterinary practices. August 28th is Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day. A day dedicated to honoring the pets we have lost. A day that a lot of pet parents reflect… Continue Reading
Kids and Grief
Over three quarters of children in the United States live with pets. According to the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, children are more likely to live with a pet than live with their biological father or a sibling. Furthermore, many studies show the benefits pet ownership has on kids. Pets can help reduce stress and help develop social and emotional skills. The bond between a child and a pet is sometimes the first strong bond they establish aside from their parents. As a parent myself, I have been lucky enough to see the bond between a child… Continue Reading
Memorializing with a Clay Paw Print Memorial
The human-animal bond is thought to have evolved more than 15,000 years ago. Animals have worked and been by the side of humans for almost as long as humans have existed. The memorialization of a pet can be tracked all the way back to the Stone Age. In 1914, a gravesite, decorated with bones and antlers, was unearthed and shown to be the resting place of a man, women, and their dog. With the human-animal bond growing stronger throughout time, so does the grief associated with losing a pet. With pet ownership increasing significantly, it has lead to many studies… Continue Reading
Clay Paw Print to Begin the Bond
Hi! I’m Cassie and I’m the owner and founder of Golden Growls Senior Pet Rescue. Because of my love for Senior dogs, I have not had a puppy in 13 years – that sounds even crazier as I type it out. My husband and I have enjoyed the slower pace and calmness that comes along with having older dogs. Though we had talked about getting a puppy in the future to give our kids the experience of having a puppy to grow up with, we had no immediate plans. Well, after a string of “meant to be” events, we adopted… Continue Reading