My Pet World: Dog insists on burying his orange toys

By Cathy M. Rosenthal, Tribune Content Agency on Feb 18, 2020

- Douglas, via email

Dear Douglas,

You can find a comprehensive list of plants that are toxic and non-toxic at the ASPCA's website -- https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants. Check out the nontoxic list for your needs. A few plants that are fine around cats and that can tolerate light from a south-facing window include bamboo and spider plants and several herbs, including catnip, rosemary, sage and basil.

While I have some knowledge about plants, I am far from an expert on this topic. Take the non-toxic list to your local nursery/garden center rather than the florist. They should be able to guide you and tell you which plants on your cat-friendly list are best suited for sunlight.

Dear Cathy,

We recently had to put down our much loved 15-year-old Lab. We are all beyond heartbroken and having a very hard time dealing with this loss. Maggie was a huge part of our family.

Do you have any advice on how to deal with this loss and the horrible guilt of having to put her put down?

-- Patti, South Beach, New York

Dear Patti,

I am very sorry for your loss. Because Maggie was such an important part of your daily life, you are confronted with her absence many times throughout the day. It sounds as though Maggie had a happy life and you should feel absolutely no guilt for putting her down, especially if her quality of life had decreased.

As for handling the grief, I find adding rituals can help better compartmentalize some of the grief. For example, if you bury her or cremate her and spread her ashes somewhere, you could read a prayer or poem to mark the occasion. I often light long-lasting candles the first week of the loss to remind myself of the soul that left. I know people who have put together photo albums and scrapbooks of their pets after they are gone as a reminder of the happy times they shared together.

If the grief overwhelms you, though, as it can for many people, find a therapist or a pet-loss support group. Meeting with other people who have experienced the same loss can help you through the grieving process. If there are no pet-loss support groups in your area, then start one yourself. There are many people who have lost pets who likely would want help with grief.

There is no timetable for grief, so be kind and patient with yourself.

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(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)