Pet Loss

Coping with the Loss of Your Pet

People love their pets and consider them members of their family: Caregivers celebrate their pets' birthdays, confide in their animals, and carry pictures of them in their wallets. So when your beloved pet dies, it's not unusual to feel overwhelmed by the intensity of your sorrow. But understanding how you grieve and finding ways to cope with your loss can bring you closer to the day when memories bring smiles instead of tears.

What is the grief process?

The grief process is as individual as the person, lasting days for one person or years for another. The process typically begins with denial, which offers protection until individuals can realize their loss. Some caregivers may try bargaining with a higher power, themselves, or even their pet to restore life. Some feel anger, which may be directed at anyone involved with the pet, including family, friends, and veterinarians. The caregivers may also feel guilt about what they did or did not do, and may feel that it is inappropriate to be so upset. After these feelings subside, the caregivers experience true sadness or grief. In their depression, caregivers may withdraw. Acceptance occurs when they accept the reality of their loss and remember their animal companion with decreasing sadness. Remember, not everyone follows these classic stages of grief-some may skip or repeat a stage, or experience the stages in a different order.

How can I cope with my grief?
While grief is a personal experience, a caregiver need not face this loss alone. Many forms of support are available, including pet bereavement counseling services, pet-loss support hotlines, local or Internet bereavement groups, books, videos, and magazine articles. Here are a few suggestions to help you cope:

• Acknowledge your grief and give yourself permission to express it.
  
• Don't hesitate to reach out to others who can lend a sympathetic ear.
  
• Write about your feelings, either in a journal or a poem.
  
• Call your local humane society to see whether it offers a pet-loss support group or can refer you to one. You may also want to consider calling a pet-loss hotline for support. Explore the Internet for pet-loss support groups and coping information.

More on pet loss

Prepare a pet memorial

What can I do for my child?

Is the process more difficult if I'm a senior?

Will my other pets grieve?

Should I get another pet?

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