Testimonials
from our APLB family
I don’t know where I’d be without the APLB chat hosts and participants. The comfort I find in each session is like a much needed life jacket as I navigate the loss of my sweet Dillard.
Thank you to all those that make this chat group possible. You are an awesome supportive second family and I am grateful to you/for you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
The APLB helped me through my acute grieving during those first months. The hosts along with fellow members were invaluable. They were comforting and knew just the right things to say to console me and lessen the pain and grief. The hosts' professionalism and training were reflected in their responses to
my grief.
my grief.
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When my beloved dog Ciro passed away at the end of 2020, the APLB saved me during the initial days when I was filled with such deep sorrow and felt completely lost. The APLB became the raft that kept me afloat. I no longer felt alone. The moderators were amazing. They were compassionate and very skilled, offering extremely helpful advice. It was also comforting to be surrounded by others who had just lost their pets, as we comforted each other. With the support of the APLB I did not feel alone in my pain, and that gave me immediate relief and strength to carry on. The support from the ALPB continues with their wonderful efforts such as the Story Project, which allowed us to write about our beloved animals, and with their Facebook support group.
I will be forever deeply grateful to the APLB for all that they have done and do for myself and grieving parents of beautiful animals. Your wonderful work also honours the souls of our beloved pets, which they so deserve.
I will be forever deeply grateful to the APLB for all that they have done and do for myself and grieving parents of beautiful animals. Your wonderful work also honours the souls of our beloved pets, which they so deserve.
Laila Z.
No amount of preparation or anticipation of the loss of your heart pet will truly cushion the blow of the loss itself. The passing of my Jolene was truly disorienting and disrupted my daily routine. It was because of the APLB that I was able to gain the courage to try and get back to normal. I knew my normal was never going to be achieved again – not without my Jolene. The APLB taught me that this reality was okay, and there are healthy outlets to assist me with this transition to my new normal. I have heard the stories of others and have been moved by everyone's journey through their individual hardship. It is through the chat that I have grown the way I have, and although I am not at 100%, I would still be at 0% if it were not for this organization.
Olivia W.
New York
When I adopted my cat Dillard in 2012, he quickly became the center of my life. Everything about him was larger than life – from his huge ears to his joyful personality. After 11 years together, Dillard passed away after a year-long health battle. His absence instantly left a hole in my life.
After Dillard’s death I desperately searched for grief support and came up short, until I found the APLB chat. Since then, the chat has become a source of comfort and an opportunity to connect with others who are experiencing a grief that often goes unacknowledged.
The most comforting part of the chat is the caring, dedicated hosts. Rather than trying to erase our grief, they validate it and help us navigate the grief journey on our own terms. Through the sadness, they also remind us to celebrate our pets. My favorite part of each session is when chatters are invited to share photos of their loved ones.
I don’t know where I’d be without the APLB chat hosts and participants. The comfort I find in each session is like a much needed life jacket as I navigate the loss of my sweet Dillard.
After Dillard’s death I desperately searched for grief support and came up short, until I found the APLB chat. Since then, the chat has become a source of comfort and an opportunity to connect with others who are experiencing a grief that often goes unacknowledged.
The most comforting part of the chat is the caring, dedicated hosts. Rather than trying to erase our grief, they validate it and help us navigate the grief journey on our own terms. Through the sadness, they also remind us to celebrate our pets. My favorite part of each session is when chatters are invited to share photos of their loved ones.
I don’t know where I’d be without the APLB chat hosts and participants. The comfort I find in each session is like a much needed life jacket as I navigate the loss of my sweet Dillard.
Becky and Kevin W.
Ohio
Losing my tiny dachshund Chloe to kidney disease was profoundly difficult, and to be honest, the wound created by her loss was deeper than any caused by the loss of a human family member. Although friends and neighbors tried to be helpful, few truly understood the impact of the loss of my beloved pet. Desperate for help, I searched online, found APLB and signed up for the nightly chats. Not knowing what to expect I attended my first session and immediately found myself comforted and reassured by hosts and other members who listened to me with respect, kindness, compassion, empathy, and tenderness. My sorrow, confusion, and feelings of guilt were validated. When you receive support from APLB it is coming from a place of safety where no one judges you. Thank you, APLB, for your support and encouragement throughout this journey.
Melanie B.
New Jersey
I have reached out to APLB every time I lost a cat. When I lost my cat Sammy suddenly in June, 2020 I was so devastated! APLB helped me cope and understood my pain. You feel so all alone and lost when you lose a fur baby. APLB gave me comfort knowing I wasn’t alone during my grief. Family and Friends didn’t understand my devastation but APLB did. Thank you for being such a caring loving support group!
Donna D.
Connecticut
I began volunteering for the APLB when I saw what a valuable service the organization provided for owners suffering the loss of their beloved pets.
As a veterinarian, I saw many people lose their pets to disease, accidents and old age. I shared their loss because their pet was an extension of my pet family. I lost three elderly dogs myself in a span of eight months, and it took me a year to think of those losses without tears. So I truly understood what my clients felt.
The APLB really offers help – and at times a lifeline – to pet owners who find the loss of a pet difficult to bear alone. This is a group of people who have earned your support and encouragement.
Mark A. Zimmer
D.V.M. PhD (retired)
When I lost my little girl Diva, I lost the most important and precious friend in my life. I thought I was prepared but I was not. I needed support – I needed to hear from others going through the emotional pain of losing a furry friend. Luckily I found the APLB. The chat room is amazing – everyone shares their stories, how to try to cope, how to try to remain strong. The staff and website are also amazing and I was even asked to share a short story to remember my little girl – something I would not be able to do without this great organization. Thank you APLB for understanding and helping me cope with my loss – and most importantly keeping Diva's memory alive.
Anthony V.
Texas
The APLB has been extremely helpful to me in processing the grief over the loss of my beloved cat, Eli, age 15 on May 22, 2023. I'm the only human in my household and sadly, my friends and family were not particularly understanding about the magnitude of my loss. Reaching out on the APLB chat room has given me much needed support, kindness and empathy. The hosts and other members have all been wonderful. Having the opportunity to share stories and photos of my darling boy is greatly helping me in the healing process. I honestly don't know how I'd be coping without this invaluable service. Thank you so much.
Katrina M.
Ohio
I lost my beloved puppies to a terrible accident at the end of July this year. My heart has been broken in a million pieces ever since. I came across the APLB’s website not long after I had to let my sweet boys go and cross the Rainbow Bridge. It was the worst day ever, and I didn’t know how to go on with life. When APLB showed up on my computer I felt like I found the exact perfect place to get the support that I so badly needed then and still need now. This group is amazing and I feel lucky to have found it. The hosts are a huge part of what makes the chat time so awesome. I look forward to coming online to be with the group. The APLB group helps me know that I am not alone in this grieving journey. I get comfort and support to get through the day. I look forward to connecting with the group each day. Also at the suggestion of the hosts I read “The Loss of a Pet” by Dr Wallace Sife and I cried while I read. But it gave me an understanding of the grieving process which was very helpful. Thank you to all those that make this chat group possible. You are an awesome supportive second family and I am grateful to you/for you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Annamarie G.
Arizona
I joined the APLB’s pet loss support group chat in March of this year after losing my sweet boy Jax. Words truly cannot explain the pain of losing your animal companion. The understanding and support that exists in the APLB’s chat room is one of the purest blessings I’ve experienced in my life. I am not sure I would’ve been able to deal with his loss without all the hosts and group members. I just wanted to say thank you for your kindness and for being such great people for running an organization like this. It is so important, and it means the world to the people you help.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Katie M.
New Hampshire
Hello fellow pet lovers. My name is Debbi and I was the proud mommy of Shelby. Shelby brought me so much unconditional love for over 14 years. When the day came that we knew her quality of life had diminished, we wanted her to go in peace. And she did – in my arms at home. Needless to say, I was destroyed and riddled with guilt. Amanda, the vet who helped her to go peacefully, gave me the details of the APLB chat room. The very first time I went to the chat room I was welcomed by Miss Nina and Miss Alana. It's been over seven months since I lost my girl, but what happened that first day was the start of a journey on how to live and cope with my loss. I still go into the chat room, where I learned I am never alone and never judged. I still have days of waves of sadness, and I pick myself up and go where I know others understand. I can't ever give enough thanks to the founder (Dr Wallace Sife), and I thank each and every one of the hosts who have entered my life.
Debbi S.
Alaska
I lost my beloved Sylvester on January 1, 2023. He was my soul kitty and I was totally devastated. I asked my vet for resources and grief groups as I was completely at a loss. My vet referred me to the APLB. The APLB helped me through my acute grieving during those first months. The hosts along with fellow members were invaluable. They were comforting and knew just the right things to say to console me and lessen the pain and grief. The hosts' professionalism and training were reflected in their responses to my grief. I’m forever grateful the APLB was available during my time of need. I highly recommend it to anyone that has just lost a pet. Happily I’m no longer in the acute grieving stage of my dear Sylvester thanks to the APLB and my spiritual faith in Jesus Christ. I will always miss Sylvester but I can function in my daily life now.
Janie L.
British Columbia
