Kidoodlyrocks: New Product to Help Children Deal With Pet Loss

The death of a pet is often the first experience a child has with serious loss. To help children process their grief and direct their focus away from their sadness, Peternity.com introduces Kidoodlyrocks™ Pet Memorials. Designed to commemorate the life of the beloved pet, Kidoodlyrocks™ (www.kidoodlyrocks.com) includes a stone pet grave marker engraved with the child's drawing of their pet, and a permanent pet memorial web page in Peternity.com's Kidoodlyrocks™ Gallery.

"I got the idea for Kidoodlyrocks™ when a friend mentioned the effectiveness of children expressing their grief through drawing," says Colleen Mihelich, founder and creative director of Peternity.com. "Kidoodlyrocks™ help children through their grief by letting them be part of the design process in creating a beautiful memorial for their dear pet."

To create the Kidoodlyrocks™ pet memorial marker, the child draws a picture of his pet, writes an epitaph and submits it to Peternity.com via email, fax or mail. Peternity.com then laser engraves the drawing and inscription onto a piece of genuine imported white marble or Arizona flagstone. Kidoodlyrocks™ markers (starting at $65) come in several sizes and colors. To help the child express himself, there is a list of questions about his feelings about the pet at www.peternity.com.

The child's Kidoodlyrocks™ Gallery page on www.peternity.com includes a photo of the child with his pet, his drawing, special words he wants to say to his departed pet, things he loved about his pet, and a photo of the finished memorial marker. Friends and family who visit this page can submit their words of condolence or memories of the pet too.

Whether grieving a dog , cat , bird , horse , fish or hamster, creating a Kidoodlyrock™ memorial for his departed pet can help to move the child's healing process forward. "Parents who let their children plan and participate in commemorative rituals for their cherished pet are helping to heal their broken hearts," says Marty Tousley, CNS-BC, FT, bereavement counselor. "Such activities make the fact of the death more real to their children, give them the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings about the lost pet, and enable everyone in the family to reflect on and acknowledge the important role the animal played in their lives."

Mihelich, who lost her pet horse when she was 16, offers these tips for helping your child grieve the loss of a pet:

-- Create a memorial garden sanctuary and share fond memories of your pet with friends and family on your pet's birthday.
-- Write a poem or say a special prayer for your pet (examples at www.peternity.com ).
-- Collect cherished toys, collars and photos of your pet and place them in a special keepsake box.
-- Make a donation in your pet's name to a local animal shelter.
-- Adopt a homeless pet who needs a loving home.
-- Post photos and special memories of your pet at Peternity.com.

In addition to Kidoodlyrocks_TM, Peternity.com offers a wide array of information and products to honor pets for eternity, including: custom pet artwork and jewelry, engraved glass memorial cubes, pet grave markers in granite, marble, bluestone, river rock and flagstone, one-of-a-kind pet urns , portrait pet keepsake boxes, pet burial boxes and caskets, and pet memorial garden statues. You can post a memorial to your pet for free in their online pet memorial gallery.

Peternity.com donates 10% of profits to Best Friends Animal Society , the nation's largest no-kill animal sanctuary, and supports efforts committed to ending homelessness for all pets.

For more information, visit www.peternity.com or call (877) 738-7322.

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