Dealing with the death of a pet can be incredibly tough. Many domesticated animals can live for over a decade and during that time become an important part of the family. Equally, you become part of your animals pack and they probably show you a lot of love and affection in return for the care you give them.
Whenever we get a new pet, we are aware that the chances are that we will outlive it. However, for most people that doesnt make the loss any less difficult. Losing a pet, whether suddenly or after a long illness, is like losing a relationship you might miss the familiarity of having them around, the daily routine you had with them and all their little quirks.
Everyone copes with loss and grief in different ways. One of the most important things is to accept your feelings, whatever they might be, and not to dismiss them with the idea that your pet was just an animal. If it was an integrated part of your family, then it was like a family member. It doesnt matter that it couldnt talk to you or communicate in the same way as people; there was still an emotional bond that existed between you.
If you are grieving the loss of a pet, there are a few things you can bear in mind to help yourself through the process. The first is that there is nothing wrong with what you are feeling. If you try and ignore them then you are not going to help yourself. Secondly, there is no right way to mourn the loss of a pet. If you need time alone, thats what you need. Some people need to talk about it as well, while some people try and busy themselves with other things to cope with the loss. Everyone is different and the right way to mourn your pet depends on whatever is right for you.
There are specialists pet counselors that exist. If you are finding the loss of your pet difficult to cope with, or simply dont feel like you have anyone to talk to, it might be worth researching whether there is a professional you can talk to in your area. Some people, especially those without pets, may not understand the kind of bond that exists between an animal and its owner. If you want to talk to friends of relatives, try and talk to those you know will understand your loss and will be there to support you.
Guilt is a very common emotional reaction to the death of a loved pet. The questions what if...? is one that many people are plagued by. Ultimately, there is nothing you can do to change the situation you did the best you could at the time and what happened is a sad tragedy.
Losing a pet is incredibly difficult but given time and a proper grieving process, you will be able to move on with fond memories of your pet. Perhaps the time will even come when you will consider getting another pet in the future. For now, however, it is important to listen to your needs and accept your grief.
