We Will Miss You: Support for Grieving the Death of a Pet

We Will Miss You reassures grieving pet owners that it's natural to mourn their loss. A New Skete Monastery brother, a veterinarian, and an animal shelter representative talk about the significance of pets in our lives, and the importance of being able to express how we feel when they die. Pets fulfill many human needs while also playing an important role as members of the family—assuaging loneliness, offering love, and perhaps reflecting something of our characters back to ourselves. Viewers are encouraged to express their grief and find sympathetic support if needed (such as through groups sponsored by therapists or vet schools). The program looks at mourners who may need special help, including men uncomfortable showing their feelings, children, and even other pets. The monk and the vet discuss the choice to euthanize an ailing animal, explaining that it is a blessing to a creature that cannot understand illness (rituals to mark the death are also encouraged). A narrator provides brief transitions between the three main commentators, who speak in interview settings or over scenes of people shown with their beloved companions. A lovely, down-to-earth production, this is recommended. Aud: P. (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)