How to Cope With the Loss of a Pet

  Our pets are always there for us, and we often spend many years of our life growing up with them, therefore the death of a pet can be as emotionally painful as losing a friend. Our pets are always there for us, and we often spend many years of our life growing up with them, therefore the death of a pet can be as emotionally painful as losing a friend. This article provides some helpful information on how you can deal with the grief that comes with the passing of a pet.

Listen to Your Emotions

The first step is to feel and listen to the emotions that are coming up. You should know that all of these emotions are perfectly normal and natural to feel. Common emotions that can come up include depression, denial, guilt and even anger. You will most probably feel very teary after the loss of a pet. Acknowledge these feelings rather than trying to suppress them. Suppressing your feelings may help you to cope with the situation in the short term, but they will only resurface later on - often stronger than if you had just dealt with them in the first place. If you can, talk to a friend or family member about how you are feeling. Other pets in the household may also notice the absence of their companion, and they will need additional love and care during that time. If you are still struggling with coming to terms with the loss of a pet then there are even support groups in some cities - you can ask your local vet for information on these groups. There are also internet forums where you can speak to other people who are going through the same thing.

Celebrate Your Pet's Life

Once you have had the time to deal with your emotions, you can take the time to celebrate your pet's life. Think about all of the great times that you spent together, how they helped you through thick and thin, and what they meant to you and your family. You can even make some things to remember them by, such as a photo collage. A photo collage will be a lovely way to remember your pet's life. If you are creative you can also write a letter or a poem about your pet's life, or even create a slideshow to celebrate your pet's life with all of your family.

Avoid a Replacement Pet

It can be hard to deal with the loss of your pet, and you may feel like the best thing to do is to go out and buy a pet that looks just like the one that passed away. This is not advisable, as the new pet will have a different personality from the previous one, and it may also make it harder to deal with their passing. Instead, take the time to heal and remember your pet before purchasing a new one.

Arrange a Good Send-Off

We arrange funerals when friends or family members pass away, so why not arrange a funeral for your pet. There are many companies that offer a full funeral service, and they will even be able to bury your pet in a special pet cemetery. A funeral will help you to deal with the passing of your pet, and it will provide closure. You will also be able to visit the cemetery when you like to pay your respects to your pet.