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Online support

Go to any search engine and type "dog death support group" and you will find literally thousands of websites devoted to the subject. There are even support groups set up for specific breeds of dog. The members are usually people who are dealing with the same issues you are. Two of the more popular groups are:

Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
www.aplb.org

and

Pet Loss Support
www.petloss.com

The Humane Society

Your local Humane Society could be a wonderful, supportive option. They deal with grief on a daily basis. Call and see if they have a dog-loss support group.

Hospice care

If your dog has a terminal illness, you may need special help preparing for his loss. Trying to accept his illness and learning to enjoy his remaining days is very difficult, but that is what hospice work is all about. Check with local hospitals and hospice care facilities to see if they can help you.

Grief counselors

If you cannot find support from other resources, consider hiring a professional. Your grief and sense of loss over your dog is as real as that you would experience over the loss of a person.

There are telephone hotlines associated with some of the major universities. Below is a listing of the more popular hotlines, along with the times they are available. To see if there are hotlines available in your city, check with your veterinarian.

The Ohio State University
(614) 292-1823
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. CST

Cornell University
(607) 253-3932
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 6-9 p.m. EST

University of Florida-Gainesville
(904) 392-4700
Weekdays, 7-9 p.m. EST

University of California-Davis
(916) 752-4200
Weekdays, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. PST

Chicago Veterinary Medical Association
(708) 603-3994
Leave a voice mail anytime. Calls returned collect between 7-9 p.m. CST weekdays.

A final resource to check is your public library. There are many fine books available on grief management.

Source: Adapted from the American Animal Hospital Association
Image: Randy Robertson / via Flickr

The article originally appeared on DogTime.com.