Hello, my name is Dana
Silversides, and I’ve recently just become a Bereavement Ambassador for
Gracie’s Way.
I am really excited for
this role, and it’s something I’ve never done before.
Gracie’s Way quickly became a big piece of my heart, and the Project is very close to me. I have always loved animals and found them to bring me great comfort. But with love, there comes loss. I recently lost 2 of my pet rats, and it was a really difficult time for me. It was something I didn’t think I would recover from, but I had to because I had 2 other rats to care for, who had also lost their 2 brothers. As much as I missed them, they did too, and they needed me to be strong and look after them. That’s why when I found Aimee’s post about pet bereavement, I responded. I’m grateful I did, because that’s how I found out about Gracie’s Way. Gracie’s Way really changed my recovery from pet bereavement and that is why, when I was given the opportunity to become a Bereavement Ambassador for Gracie’s Way, I had to!
I now have my 2 boy rats
and recently adopted 2 more beautiful girls. My house feels like it’s less
empty, and my life feels like I have more purpose. Animals to me are
everything, they aren’t just pets. They are my reason to get out of bed each
day, to care for them, to feed them and lots and lots of cuddles.
Over the years, I have
had a lot of animals, mainly cats! But I’ve also had dogs and the most unusual
animals I’ve had were Giant African Land snails. I had 1 growing up and then
had 3 more as an adult. I’ve always loved having animals around me, I find them
very grounding and just find I feel happiest when surrounded by animals.
For me, losing a valuable
part of the family, was one of the hardest things I’ve gone through. When I
don’t have the rats out with me on the couch or in bed, I still talk to them
constantly. It’s just like having a friend over. I tell them everything I’m
doing, speak to them about what they’re doing, I talk to them like babies
mostly, because to me, they are my babies. If you want to hear about my
experience with grief in more details, then here is a link to the article I
wrote: "They
showed me what my purpose was" : Guest Article | Gracie's Way
The magnitude of loss you
feel when a piece of your family dies, is something that is often dismissed or
perceived as not ‘real’ grief. Gracie’s Way is trying to change that and help
people grieving or someone trying to understand grieving for animals. That is
why I am so grateful to have become part of this Project. I want people to know
that they aren’t alone in this, and that whatever emotions they are feeling,
are justified. The more it is spoken about, the less stigma there will be
around it. If I could just help 1 person deal with their grief or signpost
places they can receive support, then I will be happy. I’m so grateful that
when I was grieving, I came across Gracie’s Way. It helped me to understand my
feelings/emotions and made me feel less alone.
I feel like I’m suited to
a role like this because I like to listen to people and help if I can. I have
experience with pet bereavement, and although it’s hard, I feel like people who
have gone through something, have a greater understanding of what it can really
feel like, and then that can make it easier to be able to guide people to
specific resources and help. I would always be a safe person for people to come
to, and I would never judge anyone for how they feel or what is going on for
them. I will always have time for people.
When I wrote my article
for Gracie’s Way, I made a statement about even after my 2 of my pets had died,
I was still and always will be their Mum. I don’t think you ever stop being a
pet mummy, even once they’ve passed. I truly believe that, and it brings me so
much comfort. My pets have all left imprints on me, and that will never change.
I will never forget any of them and will be forever grateful that I got to love
them.
Something I would love to
do as an Ambassador is guide people and help. And through sharing my own story
with pet bereavement, I’m hoping people will just feel less alone. Knowing when
you are grieving, you have places to turn, I know, can be so beneficial. So
that’s what I am hoping to do for others.
