<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Pet Therapy Notes]]></title><description><![CDATA[Pet Bereavement, Pet Loss, Adopting after loss]]></description><link>https://www.hardpetdays.com/blog-1</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Fri, 10 Jul 2026 15:51:29 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.hardpetdays.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Beyond the Search: The Emotional Impact of Physically Losing a Pet]]></title><description><![CDATA[The physical loss of a pet is a uniquely hard loss to process, and in my opinion, the most difficult to reconcile. And yet, I find it to be the most unaddressed. While there are many resources dedicated to physically locating a lost pet, there are few to support the emotional impact of this loss. As someone deeply interested in understanding all the ways we can experience pet loss, this has always felt unsettling. From the day I brought my first dog home (Circa 2005), the very real...]]></description><link>https://www.hardpetdays.com/post/beyond-the-search-the-emotional-impact-of-physically-losing-a-pet</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69fa58cd2528aeae0147eabf</guid><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:42:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f1e89d_acd733d857cc4119adaa0ccf24148a54~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Liz Weiner</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Adopting After Loss: Lessons from a Rebound Relationship - And the Most Important Question I Never Asked.]]></title><description><![CDATA[Screenshot www.petfinder.com You are profoundly lonely and drowning in brokenness. Your house is eerily quiet - the void of meows, barks, and pitter-patter of feet is unbearable. Maybe you swear off ever getting another pet because the pain of losing them is unbearable. Perhaps you yearn for that unique brand of companionship, but get stuck on the “when” and the weight of feelings like guilt and betrayal that stop you in your tracks.   If you’re anything like me, doing nothing is the most...]]></description><link>https://www.hardpetdays.com/post/adopting-after-loss-lessons-from-a-rebound-relationship-and-the-most-important-question-i-never-a-1</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a281ca02d2809110fe8fec0</guid><pubDate>Tue, 09 Jun 2026 14:01:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f1e89d_f8a7dab69e6c48459ce7ddc16946258c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Liz Weiner</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Making Veterinary Care Accessible: How the “Yes to Care” Initiative Supports Pets, Families, AND Veterinary Professionals]]></title><description><![CDATA["Yes To Care" Logo How guaranteed payment, non-credit-based payment plans &#38; community donations to support medical care can keep families together, and how you can bring this to your practice. As an Intake Specialist at a municipal shelter, I work with pet parents to overcome barriers to care and help more pets remain in loving homes. In a time when the human-animal bond is increasingly valued, affordable access to care is supported through low-cost vaccine clinics, spay/neuter services, and...]]></description><link>https://www.hardpetdays.com/post/making-veterinary-care-accessible-the-yes-to-care-initiative-s-role-in-supporting-pets-families</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69fdde3c7bccf7fb9df6571a</guid><category><![CDATA[Supporting Pet Ownership]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 08 May 2026 14:29:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f1e89d_2c9c2cae22e24f698f1d0bb9978f13c9~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_764,h_436,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Liz Weiner</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How Paint by Numbers Pet Portraits Can Help You Heal, Relax, and Feel Close to Your Pet - Guest Post by Dr. Eleni Nicolaou, Art Therapist  ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Photo courtesy of Davincifield This post is a result of my collaboration with Dr. Elani Nicolaou, Art Therapist &#38; Creative Wellness Expert for Davincified Premium Paint by Numbers Kits. When I come across a product I believe in, I get excited about sharing it, which is how we landed here. Please know this is not a paid advertisement, and I do not receive any financial benefit from Davincified. If the idea of an art project intimidates you, hear me out: This is one area where a lack of...]]></description><link>https://www.hardpetdays.com/post/how-paint-by-numbers-pet-portraits-can-help-you-heal-relax-and-feel-close-to-your-pet-guest-post</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b71db9982a6a9cdc284a60</guid><pubDate>Thu, 19 Mar 2026 12:01:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f1e89d_1e04776dabed49f68fe5b990258eae2c~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Liz Weiner</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[On Pet Loss: How Writing Helped Me Process Grief and Preserve Memories]]></title><description><![CDATA[Photo by author I’ve been an on-and-off journaler since my sophomore year of college (2001), when my best friend brought me back a buttery soft leather journal from her semester abroad in Florence. The truth is, I leaned on journaling during the heavier times of my life, and sixteen years later, in December 2017, things were going remarkably well. I was recently divorced from a man who was never meant to be my husband, remarried to the man who was, and living in a house with the yard I had...]]></description><link>https://www.hardpetdays.com/post/on-pet-loss-how-writing-helped-me-process-grief-and-preserve-memories-let-s-just-say-there-was-a</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b01e2269216ea0845bf976</guid><pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2026 13:48:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f1e89d_6c49a71916274f07a3581816c405f798~mv2.avif/v1/fit/w_900,h_778,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Liz Weiner</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Not Finding Your Match At A Shelter or Rescue? Consider Private Owner Listings—These Pets Need Homes Too.]]></title><description><![CDATA[Screenshot - Adopt-a-Pet Historically, self-rehoming has been viewed as irresponsible and even dangerous, but times are changing, and today, it’s part of the solution when done responsibly. Let me be very clear, though: Self-rehoming will not be appropriate in every situation, but when the circumstances align, shelters are educating owners about safe and responsible self-rehoming strategies, and it’s been a major game-changer. How did we get here? Animal welfare organizations cannot...]]></description><link>https://www.hardpetdays.com/post/not-finding-your-match-at-a-shelter-or-rescue-try-searching-private-owner-listings-these-pets-nee</link><guid isPermaLink="false">698b97595412b49a8b5b43f7</guid><category><![CDATA[Supporting Pet Ownership]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:56:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f1e89d_703bdc4792f848608ffc40297f757ed8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Liz Weiner</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Thinking of Self-Rehoming a Pet? Here Are Some Things to Consider (and why it's not always a bad idea).]]></title><description><![CDATA[Photo by Amy Mc Beyond the Shelter: The Evolving Role of Self-Rehoming in Animal Welfare Historically, self-rehoming has been viewed as irresponsible and even dangerous, but times are changing, and today, it’s becoming part of the solution when done responsibly. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that the first question many shelters are asking when an owner reaches out to surrender their pet is whether they can keep the pet in their care while they look for a new home. (Okay, the first...]]></description><link>https://www.hardpetdays.com/post/benefits-myths-and-risks-of-self-rehoming-pets-and-why-we-shouldn-t-be-so-quick-to-discourage-it</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697e7b51e735e801117c1ff9</guid><category><![CDATA[Supporting Pet Ownership]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 31 Jan 2026 22:04:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f1e89d_bcc0726108de4882b8a7b414ea8d6d07~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Liz Weiner</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Don't Wait For the Crisis: Why It's Important to Think About End-of-Life Care Now]]></title><description><![CDATA[Author visiting her dog in the hospital. Circa Jan 2018 I was never mentally prepared for my dog, Tovi’s, death. It was something that honestly didn't cross my mind as a thing that would happen. Sure, I intellectually knew he wouldn't live forever, but I never actually imagined a life without him, so when he died, I was utterly unprepared for That Life. When Tovi was twelve years old, I recall being struck by an article I came across while mindlessly scrolling on social media. It was written...]]></description><link>https://www.hardpetdays.com/post/don-t-wait-for-the-crisis-why-it-s-important-to-think-about-end-of-life-care-now</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6935d4ac1a77096acf9666b0</guid><category><![CDATA[Loss]]></category><category><![CDATA[Coping Skills]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 07 Dec 2025 19:34:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f1e89d_fe1b04bc49c04331a964b3a28566e880~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Liz Weiner</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Grief Could Really Use a Warning Label: Guilt, Regret, and the Role of Over-Responsibility]]></title><description><![CDATA[Ms. Roxy Capris (Photo courtesy of proud dad, Barry Starr) After your pet leaves your life — no matter what the circumstances — there is a high likelihood you are experiencing some level of guilt or regret. That’s just how we humans operate. As pet parents, it's on us to make hard decisions, and when the outcome isn’t what we had hoped, we tend to feel a sense of over- responsibility for the loss. We have a way of turning inward and blaming ourselves for things we never had the power to...]]></description><link>https://www.hardpetdays.com/post/grief-could-really-use-a-warning-label-guilt-regret-and-over-responsibility-1</link><guid isPermaLink="false">692f5b7a65a8cdd6a8fc4eaa</guid><category><![CDATA[Loss]]></category><category><![CDATA[Coping Skills]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 02 Dec 2025 21:36:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f1e89d_8a26caabd62340a9ab1479f21bb5b43c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Liz Weiner</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sometimes We Need Counseling for Pet/Human Relationships - When It's Not Love at First Bark]]></title><description><![CDATA[There is a distinct type of grief that comes with not having the idyllic relationship you assumed would come with pet ownership. When you don’t feel that “connection,” it’s normal to feel a sense of disappointment and mourning for what you expected pet parenting to look like. This is a real struggle for many pet owners, and it’s only reinforced when we see only perfectly behaved, adorable pets portrayed in popular media. I liken it to body shaming for humans, and it’s a setup for...]]></description><link>https://www.hardpetdays.com/post/sometimes-we-need-counseling-for-pet-human-relationships</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68fe34f50ad27c2f2a62c76e</guid><category><![CDATA[Behaviorally Challenged Pets]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 26 Oct 2025 14:53:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f1e89d_bb16b100e29e44a6bb3b088d8b8ab7fe~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_960,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Liz Weiner</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Rehoming Pets - Beware of the Comments: I Worry We Are Shaming People Away From Seeking Help.]]></title><description><![CDATA[Photo by Natasha Cara Animal rescue is exhausting, to put it mildly. We encounter situations that make us question humanity, and it takes a heavy emotional toll to see pets discarded like an outfit that has gone out of style. Pet overpopulation is at crisis levels, and there are areas of the country where healthy animals are being euthanized simply because there isn’t enough space to house them. I understand why people are angry and quick to judge, but somewhere along the way, the act of...]]></description><link>https://www.hardpetdays.com/post/rehoming-pets-beware-of-the-comments-we-need-to-stop-bullying-people-away-from-seeking-help</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68e5869c93c7286ce1c6ad7a</guid><category><![CDATA[Behaviorally Challenged Pets]]></category><category><![CDATA[Loss]]></category><category><![CDATA[Supporting Pet Ownership]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 07 Oct 2025 21:34:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f1e89d_f3cf74e3d0b744d6bc87a7703ca67be4~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_720,h_960,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Liz Weiner</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[When You Regret Adopting Your Dog: Don't Worry, It Gets Better.]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Facebook post that led me to Fred (he sounds like an angel, right)? You might be surprised to know there is a phenomenon known as the “puppy blues.” It refers to feelings of depression, anxiety, or overwhelm while adjusting to life as a pet parent. You went into pet ownership assuming it would be pure bliss, but it’s turning out to be a nightmare (or at least a really bad dream you can’t wake up from). The thing is, these “blues” can arise anytime a new pet is introduced into your life,...]]></description><link>https://www.hardpetdays.com/post/when-you-regret-adopting-your-dog-don-t-worry-it-gets-better</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68c9e5f95a84d94edbe312ef</guid><category><![CDATA[Behaviorally Challenged Pets]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 16 Sep 2025 22:37:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f1e89d_6d4d31e2081a4ed1a1e7748385d1aa10~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Liz Weiner</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[On Pet Loss: Coping With Traumatic Endings]]></title><description><![CDATA[So many “what-ifs.” So many “I shouldn’t haves.” So many wishes for do-overs. "Charter" Photo by Scarlett Blackiston If I had a superpower, it would be the ability to rewind time in two distinct ways. The first would be the ability to travel through a time machine and visit the different versions of myself I’ve tried on at any given time. I would savor ordinary moments spent with people who are no longer in my life, whether through death, breakups, or friends who were only meant for a season...]]></description><link>https://www.hardpetdays.com/post/coping-with-traumatic-endings</link><guid isPermaLink="false">688bf0ec366993874afed423</guid><category><![CDATA[Loss]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 31 Jul 2025 22:45:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f1e89d_25a0626e6625462bba1db12a4d4ccfc1~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Liz Weiner</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Other Side of Rehoming a Pet: The Human's TAIL]]></title><description><![CDATA[Photo courtesy of The Senior Dog Sanctuary of Maryland It is heartbreaking to hear stories of pets losing their homes and families and ending up in shelters. These situations are often colored with assumptions and judgements about circumstances we know nothing about. I was inspired to write this after seeing a Facebook post about a man who lost his housing and had no way of caring for his best friend. This story has a happy ending because the man reunites with the dog once his life...]]></description><link>https://www.hardpetdays.com/post/the-other-side-of-rehoming-a-pet-the-human-s-tail</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67e6af0afe36f5984328a0ce</guid><category><![CDATA[Loss]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 28 Mar 2025 14:19:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f1e89d_4c20416fb13e46049e3c0e1e46ad5649~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_526,h_701,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Liz Weiner</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How To Show Up For Someone’s Grief: What to say (and not).]]></title><description><![CDATA[Photo by Author "Pet Bereavement Box" When I am in the presence of a person grieving the loss of their beloved pet, I suddenly forget everything I know about grief and find myself at a loss for words. Like really stumbling on my words. Being a witness to big emotions feels uncomfortable and awkward. Yes, I’m referring to myself here— someone whose life is devoted to studying pet loss. In the company of someone else’s grief, I feel helpless, so naturally, I put an insane amount of pressure on...]]></description><link>https://www.hardpetdays.com/post/how-to-show-up-for-someone-s-grief-what-to-say-and-not</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67cdd8b3a420dbf76f63c054</guid><category><![CDATA[Coping Skills]]></category><category><![CDATA[Other]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 09 Mar 2025 18:10:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f1e89d_5a11fb1e186f433bbb35d75cdf0f4f4f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Liz Weiner</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[On Pet Loss: Is It a Betrayal To Stop Crying? ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Photo by author After my dog died, I cried all of the time. I didn't just cry; I wore my tears as a badge of honor. I took pride in the fact that I was falling apart. I wanted the world to see how broken I was, and I feared the day I stopped crying would signify I had moved on, and that was something I never wanted to do. The grief was my last connection to Tovi, and I held onto it for dear life. After months of blowing up my life, I saw a therapist who suggested I carve out five minutes — no...]]></description><link>https://www.hardpetdays.com/post/on-pet-loss-is-it-a-betrayal-to-stop-crying</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67b9f872d19d99d2fad6f62b</guid><category><![CDATA[Loss]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:18:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f1e89d_6750c31e1bf34d33bf34e9899e008cc6~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_899,h_899,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Liz Weiner</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[This Isn’t What I Signed Up For: Navigating Emotional and Behavioral Challenges In Pet Relationships]]></title><description><![CDATA[Photo by Erin Scott When Sharla set out to get a dog, she assumed he would lie beside her on the couch, run along the beach, sit underneath an outdoor table at Starbucks while she worked, and hop into the car for a ride to the dog park. This is what we see on TV, right? We’re surrounded by images of face-licking, tail-wagging, running off into the distance to catch a ball off-leash dogs. I call it the “Hallmark Dog Syndrome” and liken it to body shaming toward humans — only the ideal versions...]]></description><link>https://www.hardpetdays.com/post/this-isn-t-what-i-signed-up-for-navigating-emotional-and-behavioral-challenges-in-pet-relationships</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67b3503e8f99a6a1664581f0</guid><category><![CDATA[Behaviorally Challenged Pets]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 17 Feb 2025 15:21:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f1e89d_09a95f3ba8ff484c8d6b6f5331fd28c2~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_960,h_960,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Liz Weiner</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[On Pet Loss: How Will I Know If I Am Ready To Adopt (Or Not) After Loss - Know Your Intentions.]]></title><description><![CDATA[This page has moved! This blog has been updated, and this page has moved! New link below: Adopting After Loss: Lessons from a Rebound Relationship - And the Most Important Question I Never Asked. --- Visit my website, Pet Therapy Notes, for resources and more insights on pet love and loss.   Related blog posts... When You Regret Adopting Your Dog: Don't Worry, It Gets Better Canine Love on the Rebound (originally published in the Chicago Tribune)]]></description><link>https://www.hardpetdays.com/post/on-pet-loss-how-will-i-know-if-i-am-ready-to-adopt-again</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67a0b1af3b37fcacb8bfaf46</guid><category><![CDATA[Loss]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 03 Feb 2025 12:14:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f1e89d_0e31393daf094b45a2d2164dc0ba43d9~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_623,h_960,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Liz Weiner</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Guilt &#38; Regret In Pet Loss: Try to Make Peace With What Happened. Or At Least Stop Beating Yourself Up.]]></title><description><![CDATA[Photo by Erin Scott of Believe in Dog Podcast When it comes to pet loss, pet parents often have to make hard decisions on behalf of their pets. It’s a heavy weight to carry, and it can get messy — really messy — with a lot of editing as if what happened is some sort of a draft we can rewrite. Decisions are hard to make in the first place, and after we see an outcome we don’t like, they become more painful as we glorify the option we didn't choose. But the thing is, regardless of the treatment...]]></description><link>https://www.hardpetdays.com/post/guilt-regret-in-pet-loss-reconciling-with-yourself-l</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67990b196c6675f2ec0e3077</guid><category><![CDATA[Loss]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 28 Jan 2025 16:53:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f1e89d_4e1fc596a4e34ab5b319fc211b652389~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_960,h_540,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Liz Weiner</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Canine Love on the Rebound: A Tail of Love and Loss]]></title><description><![CDATA["Millie" Photo by Author It started as the typical rebound relationship. I had been there before, so I should have recognized it, but I was drowning in grief, and to say my judgment was impaired would be an understatement. Tovi had died two weeks earlier, breeding a type of impulsivity no intervention could interrupt. I was sure adopting another dog would sedate my debilitating pain. As if attachments just transferred, as if he could be replaced. The day after Tovi died, I frantically dragged...]]></description><link>https://www.hardpetdays.com/post/canine-love-on-the-rebound</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65b6991662917fa752c38424</guid><category><![CDATA[Behaviorally Challenged Pets]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 28 Jan 2024 18:14:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f1e89d_2cc6cfdd3f484b05a979116f7369461e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Liz Weiner</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>