Coping Tips for Those Grieving the Loss of a Pet

Many people grieve over the loss of their pet. For some people their pets are not only their friends but their family too. So when their pet dies the pain over their loss is very real. It is not always easy to get over the loss of a pet. There are many coping tips for those grieving the loss of a pet that can help.

Guilt

When a pet dies sometimes the first thing a pet owner feels is guilt. Sometimes a pet gets sick, and the pet owners have to decide to put the animal down. Other times a pet might escape from the owner's residence, and the pet might get run over by a car. The pet owner might feel guilty that the pet got loose. Try not to focus on the way that your pet died, but try to remember the good times you shared with your pet. Lori Gaut, the owner of Top Dog Pet Sitting in Lehigh Acres, Florida, says it is not good to dwell on your guilt, and that you should "Focus on the good times. Your animal would not want you to be sad. Animals are meant to bring you joy and not sorrow."

Support

It is important that when your pet dies that you find other people who will support you through your grief. Turn to your family and friends for support if they are like minded as you are in thinking that losing a pet is a very painful thing to happen to a person. Some people may not be, and if you find that you need more support in your life over the loss of your pet there are other avenues to try. For example, you may want to see a Psychotherapist that specializes in pet loss counseling. There may also be local pet loss support groups that you can join.

Remembering Your Pet

There are many wonderful ways to keep your pets memory alive. Autumn Clanton from Charlotte, North Carolina says that, "I chose to keep her collar so that I would always know that she was with me", when talking about ways to cope with her loss of her dog, Sandy. Some people like to have pet funerals for their pet. Others make a memorial garden in their backyard. Additional great ways to remember your pet is by keeping pictures of your pet out, and by sharing happy memories of your pet with others.

Helping Others

Sometimes we have to help other people get over their loss of a pet dying. It might be someone else in your family that is missing your pet too, or it might be someone else in your life that has had a pet die. The important thing is to just be there for them through their grieving process so they do not feel like they are all alone in their grief. Amy Tyndall from Charlotte, North Carolina who lost her family dog, Sandy, recommends, "You have to let people grieve however they need to. Do not push them to 'get over it'. Let them talk about it if they want, but do not pressure them to talk about it. Everyone deals with loss differently and deserves however much time they need to come to terms with what happened".

Final Thoughts

Having a pet that you love die is never easy, but you will get through it. Although you will probably always miss your pet, the feelings of grief will get easier as time goes on. You may even get another pet when your grief has lessened a bit so that you can bring your love to a new pet. Amy-Lin Slezak-Nelson from Galway, New York says on the thoughts of the future of her pet passing, "I will focus on how much good I have had with him in my home, and remind myself that nature never intended our pets to live forever. For whatever reason God intended, they have shorter lives than us, though no less meaningful or brilliant".