Pet Loss Help

Pet Loss Help

Grieving the Loss of your Pet

When a person you love dies, it's natural to feel sorrow, express grief, and expect friends and family to provide understanding and comfort.

Unfortunately, many consider grieving the loss of "just a pet" inappropriate which couldn't be further from the truth.  

People love their pets and consider them members of their family; they celebrate their pets' birthdays, confide in their animals, and carry pictures of them in their wallets.

So, when a beloved pet dies, it's not unusual to feel overwhelmed by the intensity of sorrow.

What Is the Grief Process?

The grief process is as individual as the person, lasting days for one person or years for another. The process typically begins with denial, which offers protection until individuals can recognize their loss.

While grief is a personal experience, you need not face loss alone. Many forms of support are available including pet bereavement counseling services, pet-loss support hotlines, local or online bereavement groups, books, videos, and magazine articles.

What Can I Do for My Child?

The loss of a pet may be a child's first experience with death. The child may blame himself, his parents, or the veterinarian for not saving the pet.

He may also feel guilty, depressed, and frightened that others he loves may be taken away from him.

Trying to protect your child by saying the pet ran away could cause the child to expect the pet's return and feel betrayed after discovering the truth. Expressing your own grief may reassure your child that sadness is okay and help him work through his feelings.
Five Ways to Remember Your Pet

1. Hold a memorial service
2. Find a special place for your pet's ashes
3. Create a living memorial
4. Make a scrapbook
5. Write down your feelings

Moira Allen has developped a great brochure that may help you or someone you love. Please click here to download the brochure.

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to
Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play
together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were
hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our
dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone
very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks
into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins
to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling
together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your
face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting
eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown
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