Grief Writing After a Dog Dies | Sheila Cooperman #240

Dog Cancer Answers

When Sheila Cooperman’s husband said he wanted a dog, she said that was fine and good, but it would be HIS responsibility. Then she met Tucker, the Boykin Spaniel, and transformed into a full-fledged Dog Mom.

When Tucker died suddenly of lymphoma last year, Sheila, a teacher with decades of experience and a literacy expert, turned to writing to help herself cope. Her “Friday posts” on social media are turning into books.

Sheila’s message that “writing is for everyone; you don’t have to be a writer” is a refreshing one and much-needed for those who are going through a tough time. In fact, Sheila has realized recently that her grieving for Tucker has helped her to resolve her grief over losing her own mother to the same disease fifty years ago.

This is truly a very special episode of Dog Cancer Answers!

Join our Facebook support group at https://dogcancer.com/support

Call [phone] to leave a question on our Listener Line for a future show!

Related Videos:

Dr. Dressler’s biggest signs that a dog is nearing the end of their life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff4zmrzS0Mk

Wendy Van de Poll on how to cope and prepare for your dog’s death:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5Bh1wIp5bY

Related Links:

A Tucker story reprinted with permission from Dr. Sheila Cooperman on DogCancer.com: https://www.dogcancer.com/perspectives/hospice-and-end-of-life/tucker-week-22/

Just one of the beautiful Tucker posts in our support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dogcancersupport/permalink/3538454839753356/

Everything-Lymphoma article on DogCancer.com: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/types-of-dog-cancer/lymphoma-in-dogs/

A helpful perspective on how to know your dog is near the end of their life: https://www.dogcancer.com/perspectives/hospice-and-end-of-life/warning-signs-dog-is-dying/

The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality & Longevity by Dr. Demian Dressler and Dr. Susan Ettinger, DVM, Dip. ACVIM (Oncology) is available everywhere books are sold and on https://dogcancerbook.com

Chapters:

00:00 START

01:20 About Tucker

03:57 Discovering Tucker’s Mutated B-Cell Lymphoma

07:07 Tucker's True Tail Cancer Journey

14:41 Finding the Facebook Support Group

17:25 Finding Writing After Tucker's Passing

22:25 Writing a Book

25:44 Writing as Catharsis for Everyone, Not Just “Writers”

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Get to know Sheila Cooperman, PhD: https://www.dogcancer.com/people/sheila-cooperman-phd/

For more details, articles, podcast episodes, and quality education, go to the episode page: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/

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