When Family Members Are Reacting Differently to the Loss of Your PetWritten by Susan Dunn, MA Clinical Psychology, The EQ Coach
The loss of a family companion animal is difficult, and my heart goes out to you. We come to love our animals and feel a deep sense of loss when they die. Some people tell me they’ve felt more grief over loss of their dog than of any human being in their life. It’s not always recognized by others, but those would only be people who have not lost an animal companion they loved. Or I should say, who loved them. They give us unconditional love that helps us thrive. When we find out our pet is going to die, we each react differently. Each of us experiences grief in a different way. Maybe your partner is angry, and you are tearful, and you are both dealing with impending death of your animal companion in your own way. The stages begin with denial (shock) and then move on to rage, I believe, but it's a spiral, or an onion, not linear. It comes in waves and doubles back and different feelings are layered in there. It is normal to not “hear” that your pet is going to die and it’s normal to be enraged that nobody cares, nothing can be done, and it can’t be fixed. And also to be angry that you and animal are suffering so. Some individuals are more prone to turning tender feelings into anger, and sometimes we just don’t want to talk about it. In fact, and this is particularly poignant, one of reasons we love our animals so much is because when we're upset they'd don't ask us why. They just stick around and love us, same as always. Remember general family EQ guidance that all feelings are welcome here, though all actions are not. Your partner is an adult and is in charge of his or her own wellbeing, as you are of yours. As with any adult, you can accept and acknowledge feelings, and can make it known you’re available to talk with. If there are any behaviors from this anger that are destructive in any way, then seek help. You can also use, “When you say X, I feel Y. Please do Z.”
| | How to Make Christmas BreadWritten by LeAnn R. Ralph
My mother was daughter of Norwegian immigrants who homesteaded our small Wisconsin dairy farm in late 1800s. Christmas bread was one of goodies she baked in December.Christmas Bread This recipe makes two loaves. • 2 cups warm water • 2 packages of dry yeast • 1/4 cup sugar • 1 teaspoon salt • 2 eggs • 1/2 cup shortening (I have also used Canola oil) • 1 to 2 cups of citron (if you really like taste of citron, add 2 cups) • 6 to 7 cups of flour Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add 2 cups of flour, sugar, eggs, salt, shortening/oil and beat until smooth. Add citron. Add 4 cups of flour. Mix. Knead for 10 minutes. If dough becomes too sticky, knead in an-other 1/2 to 1 cup of flour.
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