Der Trauerhund (The Grief Dog)

A friend once asked me if I would help her with the final project for her grief-counseling course. She planned to create a set of cards that would show the many different ways children experience grief, and I helped her visualize those ideas.

I chose to represent grief as a dog. At first, a large black dog can feel frightening, but it can also be loyal, comforting, and a true companion. It needs care, patience, and attention—much like grief itself.