Sherri's Story

behind this collar is dedicated to my nine-year-old Chihuahua, Oreo. In early summer 2008, I rushed Oreo to an emergency clinic with what turned out to be congestive heart failure. The veterinarian explained to me that Oreo was very ill and that I could lose her at any time. He suggested she might live for six months to a year, and he told me, “Enjoy the time you have left with her.” I was devastated.

That evening I held Oreo in my arms and ran my finger around her red collar. I reminisced through years of steadfast, unconditional love and devotion gifted to me by the tiny dog behind that collar. My own grief made me contemplate the grief experienced daily by other people facing the harsh reality of losing a beloved pet. I decided then and there that I would honor Oreo’s memory by providing others with a way to honor their pets’ gifts of unconditional love and devotion.

My experience with Oreo has taught me to live every day as though it were my last and to love everyone around me with the same unconditional love that Oreo has given to me. I believe that our pets are one of God’s blessings to us, worldly examples of His own unconditional love. My experience with Oreo has reminded me to embrace the simple things in life that mean so much.

Your Story
Writing about our pets can help us to remember all the wonderful moments we spent with them and come to terms with our loss. Relating happy memories to others can serve as a means towards healing the raw emotions that overwhelm us when we lose a pet. Your story about your special pet can also help others realize that they are not alone, that many of us have been through or are going through the same grieving process. I encourage you all to share your pets’ stories. Though it may bring tears, it will help to heal your heart over losing your best friend. Please send us your story along with a photo of your cherished pet to storiesandphotos@behindthiscollar.com

Involving Your Children in Your Story
For a child, the loss of a pet can be particularly traumatic; it is often their first experience in coping with the loss of a loved one. Encourage them to write their own story about how special their pet was to your family, or to help you write your story. If they are very young, you might have them make a drawing of your pet and post it on our website along with a photo of your pet and your story. Below is a poem written by our own M.B. King, which suggests you help your child select the brightest star they see in the night sky to be their pet’s star. Helping your child “pick a star” could help to ease their sadness.