Last week was National Grief Awareness Week, a campaign driven by the Good Grief Trust (www.goodgrieftrust.org).

Its aim is to try to normalise grief and to get people talking about what is, for many, an uncomfortable subject; and its vision is to offer a toolkit of support from day one for anyone suffering a bereavement, anywhere in the UK (and Isle of Man).

Pets, and the death of a pet, are not specifically mentioned on the charity’s website but the advice given is just as applicable.

More specific advice regarding the death of an animal can be found on the Blue Cross’s website www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-bereavement-and-pet-loss. You can also call their bereavement support service between 8.30am and 8.30pm on 0800 096 6606.

Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for people who are grieving, and so here is a timely reminder of some ways that may help you, or a friend or relative, to cope.

When animals die pet owners often find their loss is trivialised by those around them, and it can be a very lonely experience.

Although we are supposed to be a nation of animal lovers, many people frown upon mourning and visible grief in relation to the loss of a pet, and they have a ’just get another one’ approach which is seldom helpful.

Locking away grief doesn’t make it go away.

Express it, and don’t hide your feelings in a misguided effort to appear strong and calm. Don’t try to avoid it by not thinking about your pet; instead, reminisce about the good times.

This will help you understand what your pet’s loss actually means to you.

Coping strategies including rearranging your schedule to fill in the times you would have spent with your pet; preparing a memorial such as a photo collage or memory box; and talking to others about your loss. Working through your feelings with another person is one of the best ways to put them in perspective and find ways to handle them.

Grief may also be accompanied by guilt if you have had to make the difficult decision to have your pet put to sleep. Euthanasia (which in Greek translates as ’good death’) is something we do as an act of kindness to avoid suffering, and a pet owner should never feel guilty about it.

Losing a pet is often the first time that a child becomes aware of death.

It is usually better to be honest with them and explain the truth as clearly as you can. Be careful when you use the term ’put to sleep’ as a child may expect their pet to wake up again later.

Children may want time to say good-bye to their pet and seeing the body may help them understand what has happened.

It is generally believed that other pets benefit from being able to see the body of their dead companion, so that they can process the death rather than think the dead animal will return at some point. This is especially true of herd animals, like horses.

But please don’t let the thought of dealing with grief put you off adopting.

We have some wonderful animals waiting to meet you.

New arrivals in our kennels include Bentley, a two-year-old Staffie cross who is super friendly and affectionate, both with people and other dogs; Wolfie, a Bedlington terrier; and Kiera a Patterdale cross whippet.

We’re not sure of Wolfie and Kiera’s ages but we estimate that they are about five years old.

What is certain, though, is that they are playful, sociable and energetic - they have lots of energy in short bursts, and then like to cuddle up on the sofa for a cuddle.

We would love these dogs, and all our rescue animals, to find their new families before Christmas, even if the formal ’getting to know you’ and adoption processes take a few weeks.