Pet Loss
Your pet is much like a member of the family. They stick by your side during good times and bad, giving you support, love and amusement. It may be quite distressing for the entire family, including children and adults, to lose a companion. There can be various different losses individuals experience when going through this process.
The absence of love: Pets give us emotional responses that are unburdened by concern for how others understand their expression. Many of our human relationships aren’t that simple; they can be riddled with rejection and anxiety and other fears that often dictate how to act and what to share.
The loss of a life witness: pets observe our flaws and triumphs as they accompany us through our lives in ways others around us may not be able to. During times of disarray, they frequently provide us with security, stability, and comfort
The loss of habits and connection: habits and routines like walking our pets, feeding times, and other daily routines require us to say goodbye. The amount of time and perseverance required to grieve the loss of a pet is increased by all of these goodbyes and changed daily routines.
The loss of feeling needed: Being a pet owner is similar to being a parent. We often go to great extent to ensure our pets are physically, emotionally, and psychologically comfortable because we are responsible for them.
Stages of Grief
When a pet passes away, everyone experiences grief at different stages. Stages may develop linearly or in a variety of ways. Stages of grief include (North Shore Animal League (2017) :
Denial: Denial is a defense mechanism that helps us get through the initial shock of loss and pain. This is where we might not accept what happened,
Anger: When reality sets in, denial is frequently followed by anger. People who are grieving can direct their rage almost anywhere. We rationally know better, but it’s emotionally temping to blame someone, including ourselves, for the pain we are expecting.
Bargaining: Many people try to deal with their sense of vulnerability and powerlessness by negotiating sometimes with a higher power, sometimes with themselves, and sometimes even with their loss pet.
Depression: Depression is sometimes used interchangeable with sadness. Grief, in this state can lead us to recognize the conclusion of the detachment we must face.
Acceptance: Acceptance is not associated with forgetting or betrayal. What it does imply is accepting your pet’s sweet, beautiful life as well as the tragic fact of his or her death.
Tips for dealing with Pet Loss
Be patient and kind to yourself: Understand your losses are genuine, distressing, and can elicit a range of emotions and memories. When you discover yourself wanting to be “stronger” remind yourself that emotional; processing has no time range.
Remember your pet and their legacy: Try to remember your pet by honoring their life and looking back at the good times you’ve spent together. You can do this by composing all the things you remember about your pet. This overview will help you solidify your thoughts and the memories you want to remember.
Memorialize your pet: Engage in an activity that might help you honor them in a lifelong way. This can include planting a tree or sowing a garden. A living tribute might be a healthy reminder and way to honor them for years to come.
Give yourself and your family time to talk: Mourning necessitates communication. Consistent communication will assist you in moving through the stages of grief, from anger to denial to acceptance.
Welcome your loved ones to share your pet’s memories.
We are here to help:
At Vaughan Counselling and Psychotherapy, we provide a safe and supportive environment for all our clients so they can work through their thoughts and feelings. Our experienced staff can help you work through these challenging times. Our clinic offers a variety of services uniquely tailored to fit your needs. Everyone’s journeys are different and our team will work with you to collaboratively create a treatment plan that fits your individual and personal needs. If you are ready to take the first step towards healing contact us today at (647) - 267-9853.
References
North Shore Animal League America: The stages of grief. Animal League. (2017). Retrieved
March 17, 2023, from https://www.animalleague.org/blog/tips/life-with-pets/stages-of-
grief/