A child's first exposure to death often comes from the loss of a beloved pet. Kids get very attached to animals as sources of comfort and unconditional love, as a means of learning responsibility and as members of the family. That loss can shape their view of dying, their view of their parents, their sense of safety in the world, and so much more. So I was quite disturbed to read this article last week by a mom who had let her children be present as they put their loving Snug

There is not a single human being who will escape loss. Whether a beloved animal, a job, a life change or a health diagnosis, all of these will cause us to have symptoms of grieving. The scope and depth of that grief, of course, will depend on the loss you have suffered. And every loss is different, and every griever is different. There is no way one can compare the loss of a pet to the loss of a child, or the loss of your home due to foreclosure to a natural disaster. And wh