2009-11-25 09:33:57 - Peternity.com offers free online pet memorials where pet owners can post heartfelt tributes to their pets.

Brea, CA, November 25, 2009 -- For those who have lost their pets recently or in the distant past, the holidays can evoke many memories of their pets and can become a very emotional time. According to pet loss expert Colleen Mihelich, rather than pushing these feelings away, people can grieve and remember their pets in a way that celebrates

and pays tribute to their lives.

“Allow the bond you shared, cherished memories and love for your departed pet to guide you toward your individual method of remembrance,” says Mihelich, founder of Peternity.com, an online community designed to help celebrate the life and friendship of our pets.

The website also offers pet loss support, information and unique artisan crafted pet memorial products such as pet grave markers, pet dog and cat urns, custom pet art, pet headstones, and much more.

Mihelich, who lost her mother to breast cancer when she was four years old and several pets since then, has found healthy ways to manage her grief. During this holiday season of giving gifts and thanks, Peternity has launched a new program whereby customers can donate 10% of the profits from their purchase to a struggling animal rescue or shelter of their choice. Peternity features their monthly choice of struggling rescue or shelter that they donate to, on their homepage.

For advice on dealing with the loss of a pet during the holidays, Mihelich provides these pet loss tips:

* Be sure to spend the holiday with loved ones with you whom you can be yourself. It’s best not to be alone but it’s lso
important to be able to cry or sit quietly if necessary.
* Choose the book that’s helped you through your grieving process most and write a dedication in the inside cover to your pet.
Donate the book to your library.
* During this holiday season, instead of pushing aside the painful emotions that you're feeling stuck in, try allowing yourself
to acknowledge the way you feel. Minimize your difficult feelings and their power over you by expressing them. Write a letter
from the heart to your pet, telling him all the things you miss about him and how grateful you are for all the memories and
friendship that he so generously gave.
* During your holiday meal, place a special candle on your table and light it in memory of your pet. She will be with you in
spirit and will still be included in your holiday celebration.
* Volunteer at an animal rescue or shelter. It always lifts our spirits when we’re grieving to take the focus off of ourselves
and give to others who are in need.

Colleen Mihelich is a pet loss expert who has helped thousands of pet owners celebrate and honor the love they share with their pets. She is also the founder of www.Peternity.com, an organization dedicated to paying tribute to the lives of our pets - living and deceased. Mihelich has authored numerous articles dealing with pet loss and offers online resources designed to provide pet loss support for the grieving pet owner. Peternity also provides artisan crafted pet memorial products - pet urns, pet memorial stones and a wide variety of pet memorial art.

To further explore pet grief support or create a free online pet memorial, visit www.peternity.com/ or 877-738-7322.