Book 2 in the Pet Loss Support Series

The First Year Without You

A month-by-month companion for the impossible journey of pet loss.
From the raw first days to the first anniversary and beyond, this book walks beside you through each stage of the first year, at whatever pace your heart can bear.
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Paperback and hardcover on Amazon, available worldwide.
Not ready? Get the free 72-Hour Guide →
“It made me feel less alone when nothing else could.”
Kristen R., a reader
Cover of The First Year Without You by C. Arden
Why this book exists

You are holding this book because someone is missing

Not someone the world always knows how to grieve. But someone who was there every morning. Someone who knew the sound of your car, the rhythm of your footsteps, the particular weight of your sadness on hard days.
Someone who loved you in a way that never required you to be anything other than exactly who you are.
This book walks beside you through the first year after losing a pet. Not around your grief, but directly into it.
What is inside

A companion for every stage of the first year

The chapters follow the year as it happens, from the first night to the first anniversary. You can read them in order or go straight to where you are.
  1. 01
    The first 48 hours
    Surviving the shock, the silence, and the first night without them.
  2. 02
    The first week
    The empty house, what to do with their things, and returning to life.
  3. 03
    Month one
    When the shock wears off and the world expects you to be better.
  4. 04
    Months two and three
    The pressure to be better, the loneliness, and the waves that keep coming.
  5. 05
    Months four to six
    The long middle. The strange limbo of learning to live alongside loss.
  6. 06
    Months seven to nine
    Learning to carry it. The grief that remains and the approaching anniversary.
  7. 07
    Months ten to twelve
    The weight of a year. The first anniversary. And what comes after.
  8. Also inside
    Guilt, memories and letters
    A dedicated guilt chapter, memory pages, letters from your pet, and a section for those who love someone grieving.
Is this the right book?

This book is for you if

  • You have recently lost a pet and the grief feels bigger than anyone around you understands.
  • You are weeks or months in and wondering why it still hurts this much.
  • You are approaching a birthday, anniversary, or holiday without them and dreading it.
  • You are carrying guilt about decisions you made or things you wish you had done differently.
  • You want someone to tell you that what you are feeling is normal, without rushing you to feel better.
  • You love someone who is grieving a pet and want to understand what they are going through.
Before you buy

Common questions

My pet died months ago. Is it too late to start this book?
No. You can start wherever you are. The chapters are organised by time period but you do not have to read them in order. Many readers find the book helpful even well beyond the first year.
Is this a workbook with exercises or a book I read?
Both. It is primarily a reading companion with reflections, gentle prompts, and letters from your pet throughout. It also includes memory pages at the end where you can record the stories you never want to forget.
How is this different from the Guilt and Grief Workbook?
The First Year Without You follows the timeline of your grief month by month. The Guilt and Grief Workbook focuses specifically on guilt, what-ifs, and self-blame with over 90 structured exercises. Many readers use both together.
Is this book only for people who have lost a dog or cat?
No. This book is for anyone grieving the loss of a beloved pet, regardless of species. The love and grief are the same.
Can I buy this as a gift for someone who is grieving?
Yes. The book includes a dedicated section called "For Those Who Love Someone Grieving" which makes it a thoughtful and practical gift for anyone supporting a grieving pet parent.
What readers are saying

Words from people who have read C. Arden's books

“
It made me feel less alone when nothing else could.
Kristen R.
United States
On The First Year Without You
"The best/hardest book I've ever read."
Roger F., United States. On Your Pet Is Dying
"It felt like someone finally understood what I was carrying inside."
Veronica G., United Kingdom. On the Guilt and Grief Workbook
"This book is an invaluable resource."
Anna C., United States. On the Guilt and Grief Workbook
"It just understood and I'm learning to cope so much better."
Ben, United States. On Pet Loss for Men
The First Year Without You by C. Arden, book cover

You do not have to carry it alone

Whether your loss was yesterday or months ago, this book meets you wherever you are in your grief. There is no right time to begin. There is no wrong way to grieve.
Buy on Amazon US (opens in a new tab) Buy on Amazon UK (opens in a new tab)
Paperback and hardcover on Amazon, available worldwide.
Not ready for the book yet? Start here instead. Get the free 72-Hour Guide →