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Goodbye, Friend

A Journey Through Pet Loss and Grieving: Emotional Healing and Comfort for Parents and Children Experiencing Grief from the Death of a Pet

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Goodbye, Friend

By: Owen Whitmore
Narrated by: Calvin Sweers
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About this listen

If You’re Struggling to Say Goodbye, This Book Offers Comfort in the Hardest Moments.

Losing a pet feels like losing a part of yourself. They weren’t just animals—they were companions, confidants, and family. Their absence creates an empty space, leaving behind quiet moments and loneliness that can be hard to explain.

Grieving a pet is deeply personal, layered with emotions like sadness, guilt, and anger. You may feel regretful over the things left undone. Memories bring both tears and smiles as the pain of their absence clashes with the joy they brought.

In Goodbye, Friend: A Journey Through Pet Loss and Grieving, you will find:

  • Why Losing a Pet Feels Like Losing Part of Yourself
  • Unpacking the Unexpected Emotions of Pet Loss
  • How to Find Peace with Euthanasia and Your Role in It
  • Managing the Void Left After Losing a Pet
  • How to Let Go of the "Should Haves" and Honor Your Choices
  • Guiding Children Through Pet Loss Without Fear
  • How to Navigate Insincere Comments Like "It Was Just a Pet"
  • Ways to Celebrate Your Pet’s Life and Legacy
  • How to Honor Your Pet’s Memory Comfortably
  • Creating Keepsakes To Keep Their Spirit Close
  • How to Know When You’re Ready for Another Pet

Let Goodbye, Friend: A Journey Through Pet Loss and Grieving be your guide to healing. I’ll walk through this journey with you, sharing my own memories of losing my golden retriever, Max.

Max wasn’t just a dog; he was my shadow, my comfort, and my greatest source of unconditional love. When I lost him to lymphoma, the grief felt overwhelming, like a weight I couldn’t lift. But through sharing his story—the struggles, the love, and the lessons he left behind—I hope to bring you comfort and understanding as you navigate your own loss.

You’re not alone in this, and together, we’ll find a way to honor their memory while healing your heart.

©2024 Richard Allen (P)2025 Richard Allen
Dogs Grief & Loss Personal Development Pets & Animal Care Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Inspiring Emotion Grief
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Listener received this title free

This is an audiobook I didn't realize that I needed until I discovered it. It is not only a solace but an affirming guide or anyone grieving the loss of a beloved pet. Right from the start, the author sets the tone of the book with sympathy and tenderness. This is not a cold "how-to" about grieving—it's a reassuring, all-encompassing presence that lingers, especially when the world does not always understand why you hurt so intensely. The author's personal story of Max, his golden retriever, adds such depth of feeling and closeness. You feel the affection on every page. The most remarkable to me was the way that the book talks about the guilt, regret, and isolation of losing a pet. It helped me to let go of the "what-ifs" and find peace with my choices, especially in regard to euthanasia—something that is rarely discussed with such compassion. The section on guiding children through loss was also much appreciated for our home.

This book does not rush your healing. It makes you feel everything and then gently shows you how to begin honoring your pet's memory without getting bogged down in grief. If you've lost a pet, this book is a blessing awaiting for you!

Exactly what I needed!

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Listener received this title free

I don’t have any problems saying goodbye to friends, pets, or family because I know I will see them again, either in this life or the next. As I listen to this audiobook, I am gaining new insights into how people navigate sadness, guilt, and anger in their lives. When someone loses a friend or a loved one due to a fault they committed, it is a challenging experience, and I know how it feels. I enjoy hearing new people’s stories as they teach me how to overcome and empathize with others' feelings of loss. I don’t have a pet, so it doesn't affect me, but I like learning more about other people's stories.

Losing a friend or a pet

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Listener received this title free

This book is a beautifully written and deeply comforting guide for anyone mourning the loss of a beloved pet. With empathy, wisdom, and gentle reassurance, this audiobook helps listeners process their grief and find peace in the love and memories they shared. Highly recommended for pet owners, parents, and families looking for support during a time of loss.

Relieved

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Listener received this title free

I have lived with mostly cats and have gone through the loss of a few now. 3 of my cats have been run over so that can bring many mixed emotions. You feel a sense of injustice as they were taken too soon but also a sense of guilt and 'what if's'. I have also had a cat that has gone missing which is a horrible feeling, never knowing what happened to them.

This a a lovely, well written guide that navigates you through these emotions and helps find some peace and closure. I like how Owen takes the time to focus on how to console your children when dealing with loss. We have a young daughter so this will come in handy for the future. I also really empathised with how to deal with having your pet put down. I hope others can also benefit from this and find the healing process a bit less painful.

A comforting way to find peace

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Listener received this title free

The hardest part about being a pet mom is having to say goodbye and because they live such short lives, we may have to do this several times in our lifespan. We've had so many dogs and each time it is one of the most difficult things to go thru. We just recently lost our furry friend after 15 years, she was a beautiful reminder of earlier days and great memories. this book helps you struggle less...b/c let's face it, if you loved this beautiful pet, it's gonna be hard. For me the most beneficial part was finding peace with euthanasia. We as a family struggled with this, but our vet finally helped us by telling us it's time. We were keeping her alive but it wasn't fair to her to be in so much pain. We said goodbye and I'm glad to have this book to read and while it brought tears to my eyes, it was a great read.

Every pet owner needs this

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Listener received this title free

Saying goodbye to a pet can be difficult for some, with this guide you can find gentle ways to help you and your family navigate through their grief and experience healing . I like the advice the author gives on ways to cherish your pets memory and the compassion and understanding that is conveyed. This is a very thoughtful book and a good resource for anyone who has experienced pet loss.

Comforting Guide

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Listener received this title free

Losing a pet is heartbreaking, and it’s not always easy to put those emotions into words. This book acknowledges the deep bond between pets and their families, offering reassurance for anyone struggling with grief. It covers everything from understanding the emotions that come with loss to helping children process their feelings. The discussion about euthanasia and the “what-ifs” is especially helpful for those wrestling with guilt or doubt. The suggestions for honoring a pet’s memory provide a comforting way to reflect on the love shared. Anyone looking for support during this difficult time will find comfort here.

A Supportive Guide for Coping with Pet Loss

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Listener received this title free

Losing a pet is devastating, and this audiobook would really help people process their grief. As someone who had lost my childhood pet bestfriend, I found this audiobook gentle, understanding, and full of comfort. If you're struggling, this is a beautiful resource.

a really comforting listen

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Listener received this title free

Losing a pet is one of the hardest experiences, and this book provides the understanding and support needed to navigate that grief. It acknowledges the deep bond shared with pets and the overwhelming emotions that come with their loss. The sections on honoring memories, managing guilt, and finding peace with euthanasia are especially helpful. The personal stories make it feel like a compassionate conversation rather than just advice. This is a thoughtful, heartfelt resource for anyone struggling to say goodbye to a beloved companion.

Comforting Guide For Pet Loss

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Listener received this title free

Losing our furbaby devastated our family, but this book was comforting. The author understood what I was experiencing and spoke to me gently when I needed it most. The soft messages guided me through the jumbled feelings of our loss, and I'm grateful for the solace it brought. I highly recommend it to anyone who's mourning their best friend.

Comfort in Mourning

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