Chosen by Angela SchellenbergLicensed trauma therapist

Books about losing a pet

Q: What is the best book to start with for losing a pet?

Angela’s first pick on this shelf is Going Home: Finding Peace When Pets Die by Jon Katz. In her words: “A short, honest book for the early days. He does not tell you it will be okay. He sits beside you while it is not.”

Q: What other books does Angela recommend for losing a pet?

Also on this shelf: The Loss of a Pet by Wallace Sife, PhD; Goodbye, Friend by Gary Kowalski; The Pet Loss Companion by Dolan-Del Vecchio & Saxton-Lopez. Each one has a short note above on who it helps.

Q: Is there a guided journal for losing a pet?

Yes. Still Your Human is Angela’s own guided journal for this loss ($14.99).

For the animals who knew us. Yes, this is grief too.

A small, hand-picked list for adults. Books to read with a grieving child are on their own page.

4 books · each with Angela’s note on who it helps

See the books ↓Angela’s journal for this loss →

The 4 books

Going Home: Finding Peace When Pets Die Jon Katz Angela saysA short, honest book for the early days. He does not tell you it will be okay. He sits beside you while it is not. View on Amazon

The Loss of a Pet Wallace Sife, PhD Angela saysThe book I send people to when the grief feels too big to name. A psychologist who lost his dog, writing with structure and care. View on Amazon

Goodbye, Friend Gary Kowalski Angela saysSpiritual without being saccharine. Company for the questions about what comes next. View on Amazon

The Pet Loss Companion Dolan-Del Vecchio & Saxton-Lopez Angela saysA slim workbook from two therapists. If your grief wants somewhere to go besides your phone screen, the prompts here are a place to put it. View on Amazon

Angela’s journal for this lossStill Your HumanFor grieving an animal who knew you.$14.99See the journal →

Common questions

What is the best book to start with for losing a pet?

Angela’s first pick on this shelf is Going Home: Finding Peace When Pets Die by Jon Katz. In her words: “A short, honest book for the early days. He does not tell you it will be okay. He sits beside you while it is not.”

What other books does Angela recommend for losing a pet?

Also on this shelf: The Loss of a Pet by Wallace Sife, PhD; Goodbye, Friend by Gary Kowalski; The Pet Loss Companion by Dolan-Del Vecchio & Saxton-Lopez. Each one has a short note above on who it helps.

Is there a guided journal for losing a pet?

Yes. Still Your Human is Angela’s own guided journal for this loss ($14.99).

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Grief support groups and hotlines

Hotlines, support groups, grief camps for kids, and online communities, sorted by type of loss.

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