Resident Dee-Ann Benson wrote to help cope with the loss of her 22-year-old cat, Megan.
Losing a beloved pet is a terrible loss.
No one knows better than pet parents and Innisfil residents Dee-Ann and Nick Benson, who loved their super-senior cat, Megan. Previously appeared on Innisfil todayMegan survived an illness at age 10 and passed away on her 22nd birthday.
“We were both heartbroken and devastated,” Dee-Ann said. “Although, as devastating as it was, it was perfect in every way for Megan. She was cozy in her regular place on our bed, in her cat bed with her warming blanket and teddy next to her.
Dee-Ann said Megan’s death was life-changing for her, as she provided Megan with 24-hour care, even though the cat could walk and eat and had no cognitive disabilities.
“My vet always said I live the best super-senior life with a private nurse,” Dee-Ann said. “I miss you terribly, I still hurt a lot a year later.”
“When Megan passed, I started thinking about how, as a society, we often don’t represent ‘animal’ death as ‘human’ death. For example, over the years we have often been presented with with the notion of “it’s just an animal, get over it” or “why are you so hurt for an animal?” Unfortunately, today many people also feel this way. With this, I had to make sure that my story was heard to support and validate other people’s feelings.”
So Dee-Ann wrote Grieving A Pet Family Member, Support Guide.
“There (were) days when I wrote with an optimistic heart and other days my heart hurt so much that I cried while writing,” Dee-Ann said. “I really created an analogy based on our heart and the pain we have in it. It is included in my book.”
In addition to resources such as worry logs, mood trackers, self-care and the wellness checklist, Dee-Ann explained the “book helps us understand how our physiology plays an important role in the healing journey. Often criticism, worry, denial, resistance and guilt are some of the barriers placed on ourselves. The material provided helps to recognize self-defeating behaviors and learn to become more self-compassionate, attentive and resistant. Improve the stress, anxiety and sleep habits. Grieving a member of the animal family provides positive affirmations, poems and beautiful professional photography that I have included from some of my best work.”
Reader Bonnie-Jean Sheldrake says Dee-Ann “writes from a personal and educational perspective, allowing readers to connect with their own journeys.”
“I learned (that) I had a complaint without due process and a deep fear of losing my animals that, to me, are family,” he said. “It offers practical methods to help process the complaint, such as awareness, journaling and seeking advice. The importance of being non-judgmental and personalized made me connect. I highly recommend this book.”
Dee-Ann enjoys learning new skills as a hobbyist photographer. He included pictures of Megan and poems inspired by Megan’s life in a second book titled, Focus On Wonders Of Life, Photography ~ Poems. She chooses to keep her photos as natural as possible, so she refrains from using popular photo editing programs.
“Choosing the photos is not an easy task. I believe that the photos I chose are based on a couple of factors. One of them were some of my favorite shots and the others were based on the coordination with my poems that I have written,” he said.
“I had many bedrooms as a child and was always fascinated by everything around me,” said Dee-Ann.
Dee-Ann grew up on a farm on the 8th Line.
“We even have a road named after our family in Alcona. I’m proud to say I grew up in Innisfil. I’ve seen so many changes over the years. When we lived here Innisfil Beach Road was a one-way dirt road . Growth. and change is inevitable. My only sadness that I have is for the animals as this growth happens. We are encroaching on their habitat by moving them further away, which makes me very sad,” he said.
“Living in Innisfil certainly influences some of my photography. I like to shoot landscapes and wildlife, so Innisfil and the surrounding area always provide opportunities for wildlife and nature. Most of my photography is shot in Muskoka, Algonquin Park and the Huntsville area. In fact, my photo greeting cards were sold at the Algonquin Park Visitor Center just before the COVID (-19) hit.”
When asked what she likes to write about when she writes poetry, Dee-Ann — who earned three bachelor’s degrees after returning to school in her late 30s — said, “I write for people to understand the ‘big picture”, but also to resolve. the underlying message in a way that they can interpret their way. I write to evoke deep feelings. I like to write about real life emotions, I am a spiritual and philosophical type of person. I am a very curious person. I like to know the “why” even though most of the time we can’t always understand the “why” … I write about mental health, positive uplifting thoughts to encourage people , and everything I see and feel in the photos.”
Dee-Ann Benson plans to continue writing, with entries that include a children’s book starring Megan, a book on mental health and a cookbook.
Grieving A Pet Family Member, Support Guide is available on Amazon and us Etsy at DEEMEGSGIFTS.
Focus On Wonders Of Life, Photography ~ Poems can also be purchased on Amazon and us Etsy at Fineartphotoscanada.
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