Grieving for a Lost Pet

Please realize grieving for a lost pet is a natural part of the process of pet loss; saying goodbye to a beloved pet is never an easy thing to do.

Give yourself time and permission to feel sad. Your pet was a loving, vibrant part of your life and it is perfectly normal that you should feel the way you do. Don't be made to feel silly by people who can't understand why you should feel this way about "just" a pet - talk with someone you trust - someone who understands the truth about grieving for a lost pet.

If you don’t feel like you had a chance to tell your pet how much they meant to you, take time to write a letter, poem, journal entry, or song that says how you feel. Your pet may never read it, but that doesn’t mean your pet doesn’t know he or she was loved.

Grief usually goes through a pattern of stages. First there is the total disbelief and denial, then there’s the heart breaking, stomach churning sorrow which makes you feel like you’re going to cry till your chest explodes. Then comes the depression. When the anger sets in you know you’re starting the recovery process. When you start to remember and first smile and then laugh about the good and the funny times, you know you’re well on the road to constructively dealing with the process of grieving for a lost pet.

There will be good days, and there will be bad days. Initially, it will be all bad days. Then, out of the blue, you’ll find yourself having a good day. You may even feel guilty at this. How could you be having a good day when your beloved pet has just died? It’s perfectly normal to feel that way – but it is important that through the entire process of grieving for a lost pet, you keep moving on.

Gradually, the bad days will lessen and you’ll have more good days. However, do be prepared for an occasional sudden intensity of emotion which will shock you with it’s power to knock you flat. The littlest thing can bring it on. When we lost our dog Cassie, my husband put away all her things so that they wouldn’t upset me. I hadn't realised he'd done this and didn't give it a thought till I was sorting out our kitchen cupboard one day about three or four months later, and I pulled out Cassie's water dish.

I can honestly say I felt like I had been kicked in my stomach. The great big wrenching sobs came and I didn’t think I was going to be able to stop. It was awful – I felt nauseous with the intensity of my grief. Thankfully, I was on my own, so I got to let it all out. I missed my girl and I was hurting so much. I thought I had gotten through the mourning stage, the phase of grieving for a lost pet – but apparently not.

I realized then that the grief of losing a loved one, pet or person, never ever really goes away. It comes back at gets you at the most unexpected times. Each time, you just get better at handling it. And that is what you must work towards.

It is so important that you realise grieving for a lost pet is the most normal and natural thing in the world - and it is equally important that you move on - taking wonderful memories with you.

Please do not think you have to go through any of this on your own. Find someone to talk with - your vet is a good place to start. He should be able to put you in touch with the right person. However, if you are stuck, please, please Contact Us and we will be happy to put you in touch with just the right people.

Do also read all the free, helpful information we have provided - information that we have gathered through our own painful experiences of grieving for a lost pet - information such as ......

Dealing with the loss of a pet

Coping with pet loss

Helping children deal with the death of their pet

Dealing with the practicalities of pet loss

Discussing whether or not you think our pets mourn

Pet Loss Support Groups and ....

Click here for Pet Memorials - ways in which you can remember you pet with the pride and dignity they deserve

All of these topics will help you move on in the painful process of grieving for a lost pet. We sincerely hope we can help in some small way. Do bookmark this page so you can come back as often as you need to for help and advice on grieving for a lost pet.

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Also do not miss the other useful articles available to you – check out the links at the bottom of this page for free information and help with all your pet queries and concerns.

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