A GUIDING HAND WHEN NEEDED MOST.

July 2020 saw my world turned upside down, when I awoke in the early hours of the 6th to discover that Hugo, my handsome, gentle giant of a British Shorthair cat had passed away in his sleep on my bed. No warning, nothing. Mother Nature decided that as if 2020 hadn't been difficult enough, she would take Hugo from me.

Given the pandemic, I not only had to get my head around this in a matter of moments, but to drive my beautiful boy to the emergency Vet several miles away. Then face what I believed to be the ultimate betrayal of my love for Hugo which was to hand him to a PPE gowned Veterinary Nurse in their car park. Not only was that morning chilly weather wise, icy chills of betrayal engulfed me.

The word 'grief' didn't come close, I was overwhelmed with guilt, and to encapsulate the days and weeks that followed, it is fair to say I was consumed with pretty much every emotional feeling. All the "What if's" followed, day-after-day, night-after-night.

Having had animals my whole life, I am aware that 'society' quickly runs out of patience, compassion and understanding when it comes to pet bereavement.

However throw in a pandemic as well, interest fades even quicker, and very soon I felt hollow.

I live in the UK so how did I discover Kenda Summers and her valuable 'Grief School'? Simply by research. I needed to try to find someone who could get to the crux of how I was feeling and if I couldn't find it here at the precise moment it was needed, I would look elsewhere, especially as I also have two other cats, very much grieving for Hugo so it was essential I did all I could to help me and help them.

Initially, for my own peace of mind, I asked Kenda a vast array of questions, all of which were answered calmly and without judgement or cliché. It was explained to me how she too had suffered losses in her life and as the conversation progressed I felt as though a weight was slowly being lifted from my shoulders at finding someone who understood my distress, offering me reassuring solutions not just standard answers.

My belief is, that when one is grieving, it's of paramount importance any words they hear console and not further inflame. Kenda's words were indeed those of consolation.

Through my research I had already discovered what Kenda's profession is, but as a natural cynic combined with grief, I wasn't sure if hypnosis was for me. It was offered, not 'pushed', but being truthful I felt I had more to gain than to lose, and, as my grief left me completely sleep deprived something had to be done, and this is an element included within Grief School. What I was not expecting was to achieve almost a full night sleep pretty much from the outset!

As time has progressed, these audio recordings together with a genuine sympathetic approach, various unique, interesting modalities, a calm understanding that pet bereavement is not 'second class grief' has helped and continues to help me through one of the most traumatic occurrences ever to impact my life.

I am not 'over' the grief, I am being guided through it by the trusted hand of a professional person who truly and without judgement empathises.

This testimonial may be unusually long, but pet bereavement is often so misunderstood and more worryingly, dismissed.

It is my hope that by writing as I have, others enduring any kind of pet bereavement can be reassured that here is a lady who talks TO you and not AT you, at a time when it's needed most.

An open mind and a willing heart sums up Kenda's approach and I, for one heartily recommend 'Grief School'.

Signed H.P