Jennifer Owens and her therapy dog in training, Lola. Photo by Jeffrey S. Hall Photography
A huge percentage of people know the intensity of the pain of losing a pet.
Not hearing paws padding on the hardwood floor or feeling them jump into bed in the morning can be difficult to find peace with, especially when society suggests it’s weird to cry over the loss of our furrier family members.
Pickerington resident Jennifer Owens, 41, understands that pain all too well, after three of her dogs – Daisy, Sammy and Cookie – passed away all within the same year.
“It was absolutely awful,” says Owens. “I couldn’t figure out why society has a really weird way of downplaying the loss of a pet. It’s almost like they shame you: ‘Why are you crying over a dog?’”
During the process of grieving over her three dogs, she felt alone, as if there were something wrong with her. Instead of diving deeper into her grief, she began researching the process of mourning a pet. She got certified in pet loss and grief by the American Association of Health, and founded the Pet Loss Support Group of Pickerington, which meets twice per month in the Pickerington Public Library.
From left: daughter Brittany, husband Clint, Jennifer Owens and son Brady. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Owens
“We have meetings, which are a safe space where people can get together and talk about their feelings,” says Owens.
Though Owens is not a psychologist, she considers herself a resource for people who are working through the loss of a pet. For people who need more help than the support group can offer, Owens refers them to a pet psychologist in central Ohio.
Dog Harley and Jennifer Owens' son Brady enjoy the view. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Owens
Owens has gotten calls from people all over the U.S., asking her if there are pet support groups near where they live or if Owens can help. She also keeps a private Facebook page for people who want to share thoughts without fear of judgment, as well as to offer up her time for anyone who may need help related to the loss of a pet. And the support group isn’t just for dog and cat owners; Owens has helped all animal lovers grieve, from the loss of rabbits and rats to birds and fish.
“If a person has to put an animal down, I’m available 24/7; I have no qualms,” says Owens. “I don’t want anybody to feel like I felt.”
The support group sparked more inspiration in Owens. Why not, she thought, write a book to further help those grieving the loss of a pet, and reach more people than just those in and around the Pickerington community?
Peaceful Paws was the result of that inspiration: a book written from a dog’s perspective after the dog passes away. The owner misses and wants to be with the dog, but the dog urges his owner to continue on, telling the owner they will be reunited when the time comes.
“One of the things that people say when they lose a pet – I’ve heard it so often it’s not even funny – is that they want to go with them, they don’t want to go on living,” says Owens. “The moral of the story is that we all have a time, and that they’re waiting for us.”
Jennifer Owens' daughter Brittany hugs family dog Harley. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Owens
Owens has no plans to stop at one book, and is in the process of publishing a second book about an imperfect shelter dog who is adopted by a young disabled girl. The book follows the misfit pair as they grow up and learn from one another.
“She’s crippled, so according to society, she’s flawed,” says Owens. “It’s all about ‘No, really, you’re perfect.’ Society might think you’re flawed, but you’re not.”
All the money Owens makes from the sales of Peaceful Paws goes to funding the support group, which often has healing activities such as releasing balloons and bringing in pets as therapy. Owens is even training her boxer, Lola, to become a therapy dog. She takes Lola to support group sessions and hopes the pooch will go on to provide support for children with autism.
One of the major reasons Owens says newcomers shy away from the meetings at first is because they’re afraid they might cry. Crying isn’t a problem, Owens says, and, typically, meetings are very upbeat and members share laughs anyway. The support group’s ultimate goal, though, remains healing and acceptance.
“We’ll say, ‘Who’s your dog? What’s their name?’ It’s not just a dog, it’s your family,” says Owens. “They realize, hey, it’s safe, this person is just as crazy as I am.”
Jennifer Owens and Lola. Photo by Jeffrey S. Hall Photography
Another benefit of coming to the support group is to receive advice on helping the other members of one’s family grieve. After the loss of a pet, other animals in the house often mourn, too. Owens recalls when, six months ago, she walked into the Animal Medical Center in Gahanna and struck up a conversation with a woman who was desperately trying to figure out what was wrong with her dog.
“I was being nosy, and I asked, ‘Did you just lose an animal?’” says Owens. “I said, ‘This is how you can help them, because your other animals can grieve, and you can help them. Your dog grieving – it’s very common.’”
When she’s not in support group sessions or writing her book, Owens is spending time with her husband, Clint, 17-year-old daughter Brittany and 3-year-old son Brady. She also runs the Lancaster Macaroni Kid website, in which she provides area families with a weekly newsletter that details community events, connects readers with resources around Lancaster and activity, dinner and craft ideas for busy families.
“I’m kind of weird. I’m a jack of all trades,” says Owens. “You’ve got to live life to the fullest.”
Amanda DePerro is an assistant editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
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