The pain of losing a beloved pet that has been a companion and family member can be devastating, report counselors at PetLoss.net. The grief can be as strong as losing a close friend. Although nothing can take away the feelings that you experience when a favorite animal dies, there are steps you can take to cope and deal with the loss of a pet.
Step 1
Expect to go through the five levels of grief that begin with guilt and often move to denial. After you get over the denial that your pet is really gone, then you can move into the anger stage. Depression is a natural state that usually follows anger. After moving through the stages, expect to come to a level of acceptance that can allow you to move beyond your extreme feelings.
Step 2
Express your feelings in safe ways. Crying, talking and writing can help you to get in touch with your emotions and work through them. Talk with others who understand your pain, reminiscing about the good times you had with your pet. Write in a journal to help you understand just how much your pet meant to you.
Step 3
Find physical outlets to help you feel better. Listen to music or walk in the woods. By letting go of physical stress associated with grief, you can better cope with the loss and begin to focus on the good times you had instead of the death.
Step 4
Join a support group such as the nonprofit online Chance's Spot. You can join others in blogs and chats and share your feelings. Members can share tips on how they got through their loss as well as provide a supportive shoulder on which to cry.
Step 5
Make a scrapbook with favorite pictures of your pet that bring you fond memories. Consultants at the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement report that activities such as scrapbooking can be especially helpful when done as a family affair, allowing everyone to contribute to the project.
Tips and Warnings
- Consider having a memorial service or funeral for your pet to help you get closure. Counselors at Helpguide report that funerals often can be especially helpful for children to say goodbye to their pet.
- Don't let other people dictate how you should feel or make you feel bad for grieving the loss of a pet. The bonds between pets and their owners are only understood by animal lovers who also have pets. Refrain from sharing your grief with those who don't understand or who try to dismiss your feelings. Counselors at PetLoss.net recommend waiting to replace the lost pet. The new pet may end up being resented. You cannot replace your old friend and instead should give yourself time to fully grieve the loss before getting a new pet.
Things You'll Need
- Journal
- Support group
- Scrapbook
