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Coping With The Loss Of A Pet It's natural to feel devastated by feelings of grief and sadness when a beloved dog, cat, or other pet dies. For many, a pet is not "just a dog" or "just a cat," but a beloved member of our family, bringing companionship, fun, and joy to our lives. A pet can add structure to your day, keep you active and social, help you overcome setbacks and challenges in life, and even provide a sense of purpose. So, when a cherished pet dies, it's normal to have feelings of loss. We all respond to loss differently. Generally, the more significant your pet was to you, the more intense the emotional pain. For example, if your pet was a working dog, service animal, or therapy animal, you'll not only be grieving the loss of a companion but also the loss of a coworker, the loss of your independence, or the loss of emotional support. If you lived alone and the pet was your only companion, coming to terms with their loss can be even harder. While experiencing loss is an inevitable part of owning a pet, there are healthy ways to cope with the pain, come to terms with grief, and when the time is right, perhaps even open your heart to another animal companion. Grieving is an individual experience with highs and lows. The lows are likely to be deeper and longer at the beginning and then gradually shorter and less intense as time goes by. The grieving process can't be forced or hurried, and there is no timetable for grieving. Some people start to feel better in weeks, others take months. It's important to be patient and allow the process to naturally unfold. Feeling sad, shocked, or lonely is normal and doesn't mean you are weak or your feelings are misplaced. It just means that you're mourning the loss of an animal you loved, so you shouldn't feel ashamed. Like grief for a human loved one, grief for our animal companions can only be dealt with over time. Let yourself feel whatever you feel without embarrassment or judgment. It's okay to be angry, to cry or not to cry. It's also okay to laugh, to find moments of joy, and to let go when you're ready. Here at Four Seasons, we are fortunate to have the Tails and Trails group where we can find support. Check out online message boards and pet loss support groups. Preparing a memorial, planting a tree in memory of your pet, compiling a photo album or scrapbook, or just talking about favorite moments you enjoyed with your pet, will help get you through the grieving process. As you would with any family member or dear friend, remembering the love, fun and good times you had with your pet is one of the best ways to create a legacy. ~ Vivian Walker, vivr@sbcglobal.net We show films you generally won't find at the Cineplex: documentaries, foreign language films, indie films and any other smaller, well-reviewed films that don't get wide distribution. Our first monthly screening, on Sunday, Oct. 13 at 6 pm, is the film The Last Black Man in San Francisco (USA 2019, 2 hrs. 1 min., English). Here is a brief description from Amazon.com: "Jimmie and his best friend Mont try to reclaim the home built by his grandfather, launching them on a poignant odyssey to find a place to call home." Our second monthly screening, on Sunday, Oct. 27 at 6 pm, is the film Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks (USA 2014, 1 hr. 47 min., English). Here is a brief description from IMDb.com: "A retired woman hires a dance instructor to give her private dance lessons at her home -- one per week for six weeks. What begins as an antagonistic relationship turns into a close friendship as they dance together." All of our screenings are followed by lively discussion about the film. We'd love to have you join us. The Lodge Theater has very limited seating, so if you're interested in our screenings, come early. We hope to see you there. Please note that all films announced are subject to availability. If you have any questions about the Counter Culture Cinema Club or want to recommend a film, please email Micki Rosen at michelesrosen@gmail.com. ~ Micki Rosen 36 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | OCTOBER 2019 Tails & Trails - All Pets Counter Culture cinema club Saturday, Oct. 12, from 4 to 5 PM in the Lodge parking lot Blessing of the animals

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