One of the hardest and saddest parts of my job as a pet sitter and dog walker is when one of my client's "furry kids" passes away. It breaks my heart  and I know it is such a difficult time for the pet's parents; all of us around them offer sympathy and condolences. As a pet parent myself, I know how much the kind words and support can help when you are grieving the death of a family member.

One of the things I do when I learn of a pet's passing is to make a donation in memory of the pet. That way it seems that the pet's passing is contributing to a greater cause.  I donate to The Morris Animal Foundation and the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Feline Health Center. The reason I support these two institutions is because they are involved in research, trying to find answers to what causes pet illnesses and how to treat them.

Actually, any animal organization that you believe in and want to support has the ability to accept a gift in memory of a pet and to send acknowledgment where you request it to be sent. The important message here is that it goes one step further than offering your sympathy and can make a difference in how soon we see an end to canine and feline cancers, kidney disease and other pathologies that rob us of time with our animal companions.