How To Deal with The Loss of a Pet
How To Deal with The Loss of a Pet. When our pets are loved and regarded as a member of the family it can be very difficult to let them go. The loss of a pet can cause a surprising amount of grief.
Our fur babies offer unconditional affection, acceptance, emotional support, and companionship. Knowing that it is acceptable to feel a deep loss when your pet passes away is the first step toward coping with and working through the grief you may be feeling.
The Grieving Process
The length of the grieving process varies from person to person and can extend from days to years. Everyone deals with loss in different ways. You may feel denial, this emotion usually serves as a protective mechanism as you comprehend your loss.
You may experience anger, focused on anyone connected to your pet, maybe a family member, a close friend, or a treating veterinarian or towards yourself. Additionally, you may experience guilt over having to make the choice to put your fur baby to sleep, or what you could have done to change the outcome.
These are all normal emotions to feel and are the start of the grieving process. After these emotions pass, you may start to feel overwhelming sadness. Some may develop depression or retreat from friends and family.
Coping with Grief
Grief is a unique experience for each person, but you don't have to go through your loss by yourself. There are numerous ways to get help, including pet loss support groups; in-person or online, pet loss and grief hotlines, books, movies, and magazine articles.
Here are some ideas to assist you in coping:
Recognise your pain and allow yourself to express it.
Don't be afraid to approach someone who can offer a sympathetic ear or who has been through a similar experience.
Talk to friends and family members about how your feeling
You can discover many resources and support groups online by doing some research.
Write a journal, maybe a poem, an essay, or a short story, and express your emotions on paper.
For Pet Loss and Grief Support and Counselling visit Pets and People
Check with your local humane organisation like RSPCA or your veterinarian to see if they can direct you to a pet loss support group or hotline.
Create a memorial for your pet – read more about pet memorials at the Peaceful Vet’s blog.
Visit Beyond Blue for further support and advice around grief and loss.
A Final Note
Above all, remember that grieving the loss of a pet requires time. It's possible that you won't want to immediately adopt a new pet, and even if you do, there will likely be a period of transition.
You may never move on and that’s okay, it’s beautiful to keep your pet in a special place in your heart. You will advance in your grief and your loss, and the bond you share with each pet is unique. There won't be a replacement for that.
