As a veterinarian and pet owner myself, I can understand and empathize with the immense grief pet owners experience along with the “compassion fatigue” experienced by our veterinary staff and caregivers. When a beloved pet has a medical emergency, or nears the end of their life, it can be heartbreaking for everyone involved. I always wish I could do more to support them, but sometimes it just seems I can only give so much. This book gives me a better way to help pet owners in those difficult moments, as well as, enable my staff to be more compassionate and supportive throughout the entire process.

— Dr. Jose Salazar, DVM

about-barbara

About B.J. SHONK

B.J. Shonk has spent her professional career helping and mentoring others. As manager of the children’s Newspapers In Education program and as a journalist for a Texas newspaper, she promoted literacy. Through her own business – American Modeling, Inc, she developed and implemented self-improvement and fitness-awareness programs for people of all ages. She is the mother of eight children and grandmother of twelve – with four grand-puppies and one grand-kitty, and has had many pets throughout her life. She wrote Missing PiecesBroken Heart following the devastating loss of her beloved Schnauzer, Wookie, after more than sixteen years of loving companionship.

It is a collaborative effort with the generous support and contributions from veterinary professionals across the country, their administrators and staff, animal caregivers, along with pet owners alike who have shared their wisdom, expertise and heartfelt experiences for navigating the emotionally painful journey of pet loss. It is written to partner both the professional aspects of pet loss, along with the personal experiences of pet owners alike.

Being very detail oriented, loving pets and her deep desire to help others mend their broken hearts from their personal loss, were the driving forces behind the extensive research for writing the book. Knowing the good it could do for so many people in need. It is for everyone, and anyone who has ever lost or will be losing a cherished pet companion. Today, she lives near Houston, Texas with Randy, her husband of more than forty-five years. Together, they founded B J Randolph LLC to publish books for sharing vision through knowledge to help others.

the-book

THE BOOK

 

Your pet is your special friend and cherished companion. Dealing with their loss or impending loss can prove painful beyond imagining. B.J. Shonk has been there, and she’s ready to help guide you through the grieving process with wisdom, compassion, and insight.

MISSING PIECES...Broken Heart is an exceptional book and notable resource that partners and collaborates the personal stories shared from pet owners, companioned with the insightful experiences of veterinary professionals from across the country and their staff for a better understanding of the diverse dynamics of pet loss. It enables all readers an opportunity to better relate and comprehend the painful and difficult journey ahead.

Via unique duel perspectives of pet owners and veterinarians alike, knowledge is shared to assist pet owners in the healing process after the death, disappearance, or impending loss of a beloved pet. Losing a pet companion traumatically to the ravages of natural disaster is also addressed. Here is a powerful tool for everyone, devastated pet owners, veterinary professionals and animal caregivers alike. Veterinarians and their staff have an opportunity to present the book directly to their clients to offer immediate support during times of extreme grief, sorrow and need, to educate owners - while sharing compassionate concern. Compassion in action can provide a reprieve from associated pain. This book offers advice on how to:

Understand universally loss is loss, whether a pet or a person - it all hurts
• Acknowledge, experience, better understand, and not bury your grief
• Comprehend and navigate the euthanasia process before and after
• Support your children, and console remaining family pets through the tragedy
• Better understand Quality of Life and End of Life decisions
• Advocate for your pet, and partner with your vet
• Address compassion fatigue and much more

Whether your pet had fur, fins, feathers, or scales—if they brightened your life for many years or left much too early — Missing Pieces...Broken Heart will help you say your final goodbyes and positively progress through grief to recovery, as you preserve and embrace their memories to mend your broken heart.

 
doctors-comments

DOCTORS & PROFESSIONAL Comments

“Missing Pieces...Broken Heart: A Recovery Guide for the Grief and Sorrow of Pet Loss is a much-needed resource for all pet owners, veterinarians, and veterinary staff who love their four-footed children and then experience their loss. This devastating loss is the same as it is with any family member, yet there is not as much support for those experiencing it. This book is it! B.J. Shonk experienced this pain, came out the other side, and created this resource for us. We are grateful that she understands how deeply pet loss affects the veterinary care team, too!”

- Dr. Sandy Block, DVM


"B.J. truly cares about people as much as she cares about animals. She wrote this book because she understands the bond that a person can share with an animal and how deep that bond can be. She has experienced the loss of a pet and knows the devastating toll it can take on one's life. B.J. wrote this book in hopes that she can help others better deal with this great loss. I know this will be a valuable resource for many.”

- Dr. Kim Eaton, DVM


"B.J. is one of the most enthusiastic and creative people I’ve ever worked with. This enthusiasm and creativity is reflected in this exceptional book. B.J. is a very caring individual, and I believe this book will be a great comfort and help to many.”

- Tyler Patton, Publisher/
Group Manager

for-pet-owners

LOSS is LOSS and it all hurts…Before and after.

The grief and sorrow from PET LOSS – is real and devasting.

And it will happen for each of us pet owners one day.

What do we do when it happens?

Where can we turn for support and guidance?

Why don’t others comprehend or equate our pain?

How do we understand this painful journey ahead and relate?

How can we navigate through this difficult journey?

What does the pathway to recovery look like?

Missing Pieces…Broken Heart is here to help you positively press forward with purpose to recovery, and help you through this difficult journey ahead without your special companion and dear friend. They would not want you feeling sad or alone without them. They were an important and integral part of your family and blessed your life everyday of theirs. Knowledge is a powerful healing tool and we are here to offer it. We want you to succeed, to help mend your broken heart and find joy and peace again. And to cherish the gift of their memories and the magical moments you shared together.

for-veterinarians
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NEWS / EVENTS

TMVA Conference - B.J. & Dr. O.J. “Bubba” Woytek, DVM (Asst. VP at TAM College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences)
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