Thirty-four days of intense stress, pain, and loss of my dog Kingston, followed by the sudden battle to fight Edmond's cancer is what it took to shut me down. This experience led me to the purpose of writing a book and creating this website, with the realization and understanding that Pets are Family. Once we accept this truth, the grief, the pain, and the need for time off work all make sense. If others could acknowledge this truth, then our societal norms surrounding loss would apply. I knew I had to write, to raise awareness, and to share the one thing that guides us through grief of this magnitude: love, kindness, and community.

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Having the support of the community, my friends, family, and even my workplace, was instrumental in my healing journey. I feel incredibly fortunate to have a social media following, friends, and family who comprehend that our beloved pets are an integral part of our family. Moreover, I am grateful to have my own company, which has policies in place for pet bereavement leave. While I understand that we can't solve all the world's problems or provide the same level of support to everyone, I believe that by raising awareness, I can make an impact.

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A sincere thank you to my husband Chris, my kids Kingston, Mishka, Edmond, and Theodore who have shown me the profound depths of love. To Mallory Cash who has consistently held space for my heart. To my family, friends, and extraordinary community on social media whose boundless strength has guided us through the challenges we’ve faced. To Thomas McGuire, Ryan Rausch, Anne Marie White, and my dedicated team for their unwavering support, enabling me to embark on a healing path, prioritize Edmond's cancer treatment, and fulfill my purpose in writing this book.

 

And to you, here now – Regardless of why you are here, whether to find comfort in your own grieve, to support someone dear to you, or to simply to help spread awareness…to you, I say, I have thought about you at every step of writing this book and creating this website.

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I will forever be grateful to Kingston for bestowing upon me a treasure beyond measure. I am forever grateful for the love we shared, for the lessons learned, and for the strength you have instilled within me. Your memory will forever be etched in my heart, and your spirit will continue to guide me as I strive to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

 

Thank you, Kingston, for the immeasurable gift of love, and for giving me the courage to share that love with the world.

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With so much love,

Erika