Media News

May 2008

Marilyn George and Steve Hellus attend

Fourth International Conference

for Pet Loss and Bereavement Conference in Trenton, NJ

APLB offers many types of help and assistance to individuals in bereavement over pet loss, including quarterly newsletters on pet loss and bereavement and weekly discussions and counseling through chat rooms on its Web site, aplb.org.

In 1987, Wallace Sife lost his beloved seven-year-old miniature dachshund, Edel Meister, to congestive heart failure. As a loving and healing memorial he wrote the award winning “The Loss of a Pet.” He dedicated it to Edel and all his soul mates who were also beloved, as well as to the good people who mourn their common loss.

George and Hellus attended seminars, including Religion and Pet loss, Anticipatory Bereavement, Spiritual Aspects of Pet Ownership and Bereavement, Guilt, Lost and Missing Pets, The Elderly and Pet Loss, Euthanasia, Children and Pet Death and The Pet as a Family Member.

Dr. Sife stated,“We are becoming better people, because of our beloved deceased pets. Individually, as well as an association, they have bequeathed us a new sense of dedication and personal incentive. Here, we honor them, and ourselves as well. The APLB’s flourishing camaraderie and groundbreaking achievements are a living memorial to them all.”

George and Hellus share Dr. Sife’s sentiments about how we become better people through our relationships with our cherished pets.

January 2008

Local Pet Crematory Starting 6th Year

White Rose Pet Memorial Services of Brattleboro, Vermont, began its sixth year in January, 2008. The business provides complete aftercare services for pets, including cremations, memorial services, pet loss grief assistance, urns, caskets and memorial markers.

Proprietors Marilyn George and Steve Hellus have cared for deceased pets from neighboring New England states, as well as New York and Rhode Island. Over the past five years White Rose has cremated mice, ferrets, guinea pigs, cats, snakes, dogs, pigs, goats, sheep, llamas, alpacas and a miniature donkey. Susan Hamilton, of Dummerston, assists George and Hellus with client services.

The crematory’s mission statement, “All pets are treated with the respect and dignity they inherently deserve,” comes from the heart and a deep understanding of how important pets are to their families.

George and Hellus continue to participate in annual pet loss training seminars sponsored by the International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories (IAOPC) and the Association of Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB), a compassionate organization dedicated to helping those who seek grief counseling through its direct chatroom talk and personal e-mail assistance.

Families who bring their pets directly to the facility are encouraged to be in attendance during the cremation process. All appointments are scheduled, assuring complete privacy and attention to one family at a time. White Rose’s tastefully and warmly decorated memorial room offers complete privacy for grieving pet families who wish to spend final moments alone with their beloved pets.

The name “White Rose” was chosen for the company name because the rose, for centuries, has symbolized a commitment to love and friendship. What better way is there to express the relationships between people and their beloved pets?

White Rose provides services directly to pet owners and through area veterinarians. Visits and inspections by both veterinary personnel and pet owners are encouraged. Pet owners should not be afraid to ask questions about how things are done and should feel comfortable in researching options available to them for the disposition of their pets.