Sunset Reflections

How to protect your heart when someone says, “It was just a pet.” You’re devastated. You haven’t slept well in days. You find yourself tearing up at random moments, in the car, in the grocery store, in the middle of a work meeting. And then someone you love says it: “I know it’s hard, but… it was just a dog.” “You can always get another one.” “At least it wasn’t a person.” If you’ve heard something like this after losing your pet, you are not alone. And the sting of those wor

There’s a particular kind of quiet that settles after an in-home euthanasia. Just… different. The vet has packed up and gone. The house looks exactly the same as it did this morning, the same couch, the same light through the windows, the same spot on the rug and yet nothing feels the same at all. If you chose in-home euthanasia for your pet, you made a deeply loving, selfless decision. You gave them the most peaceful goodbye possible no unfamiliar smells, no cold exam table,

In the days after losing a pet, many families notice something unexpected. The surviving dog won’t finish her food. The cat returns again and again to an empty bed, sniffing, waiting. Something has shifted in the home and your other pets feel it too. At Sunset, we see this often in the quiet moments after a peaceful in-home goodbye. While families are grieving, their other pets are also adjusting to a loss they don’t fully understand but clearly feel. It would be easy to expl

For many children, losing a pet is their first experience with death and one of the most confusing and emotional moments they will ever face. Their dog or cat is a constant companion, a source of unconditional love and comfort. When the time comes to say goodbye, the experience can feel overwhelming and confusing for little ones who may not fully understand what is happening. Be Honest, in Age-Appropriate Language Children are remarkably perceptive. They sense when something

Losing a beloved animal companion is a real, profound loss. Whatever you're feeling right now is valid. By Dr. Maria Botinas If you're reading this, chances are you've recently said goodbye to someone very dear to you. A dog, a cat, a companion who was woven into the fabric of your daily life. And if you're feeling a grief that's deeper and harder than you expected, I want you to hear this first: what you're feeling is completely, entirely normal. Pet loss is real loss. The g

How do you answer the question, "How do I know it's time?"