Pet Loss
As with all living animals there will come a time when the animal's life ends. Whether you have owned your pet dog for 20 years or 2 months you can become very attached to them. In this section we have covered some tips that help you to cope when grieving for your pet dog.
Why does it hurt so much?
The intense pain you suffer after your pet dies is totally natural and normal. If people try to tell you different then the chances are they have not experienced a loss of a pet. It's difficult when you attempt to justify why you are getting so upset, however don't forget how important your pet was to you. Don't forget when he comforted you, showed affection, or when you had fun together.
How Should I expect to feel?
Everybody reacts differently to certain situations, grief is no different. Specific emotions you may feel are:
- Guilt - If you had to take your pet to the vet's to get him put down due to health problems you may experience a feeling of guilt. Could your dog have gotten better? Maybe the vet was wrong? These kinds of questions will go through your head while you grieve.
- Denial - Many people go into denial when their pet dies. You may try to forget and believe that your pet is safe elsewhere and come home soon. This kind of emotion may prevent you from getting another pet in the future as you will expect your original pet to come home sometime.
- Anger - You may experience anger towards the disease, the driver, or the vet care they received. This emotion prevents pet owners from coming to terms that their pet has died.
- Depression - Many people suffer depression due to pet loss. This can cause severe health problems and may need treatment to help you recover.
What can I do about my feelings?
The best thing you can do to understand and get over your grief will be to talk to a friend or family member. Try not to hide your feelings, be truthful and remember the good times you had with your pet rather than how much you will miss them. Many people have pictures and photo albums which can also help them remember. Some people believe getting a new pet is the best option to coping with the loss of a pet. In this way you are kept busy caring for a pet rather than being alone spending time thinking about your recent loss. However, others believe you need time to get over your grieving until you can build a relationship with another pet. There is no right or wrong answer to the how you should feel and how to help you grieve, until that time comes enjoy every day with your pet.
Who can I talk to?
The best people to talk to will be your family and friends; they understand how you feel and how close you were to your pet. If you don't feel comfortable with your friends and family then you may speak with a pet loss counsellor or support group (you may have to contact your local vet for contact details of such groups).