Losing a companion animal

Many people form bonds with pets or other animals that are as important and fulfilling as any other relationship in life. This also means that when a pet dies, the grief you experience can be immense and overwhelming. Pets and animals bring a lot of joy to our lives and being loved by another living creature is a rewarding experience. Not only that, but caring for your pet, such as mealtimes, regular exercise, and affection, can give your days structure. It can be difficult to restructure your days when your pet is gone. 

Unfortunately, some people might not understand the grief you’re experiencing at the passing of a pet. They might assume you won’t feel too much grief/pain/sadness or, if you do, it will pass very quickly. There may also be times when friends or family, who have been supportive in the past, have an expectation that you should “get over” the death of your pet after a set period of time. The way other people perceive your grief is not always patient or compassionate. You might feel hurt, angry, resentful or withdrawn by their dismissal but remember there are also people out there who do understand how painful it can be. 

Everyone’s experience of grief for a pet is different and there are no right or wrong ways to grieve. 

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Self-reproach after losing a pet.

You can be left wondering if you made the right decisions regarding your pet's life and care when they have passed. You may feel guilty and go over your time with your pet and the circumstances of their death, particularly if your pet died suddenly. 

Keep in mind that making difficult medical decisions can be an act of compassion and the most unselfish decision. Life is full of complex decisions and it’s not possible to know if you’ve got it right or wrong. All you can know is your pet had the best life possible in the circumstances dealt.  You and your pet both chose each other and to support together.

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You are not alone in your loss​.

Pet bereavement is often a silent emotional tribulation that can be met with a lack of understanding and compassion from those around you. You may experience a range of emotions which are difficult to understand and even more difficult to express. Give yourself permission to grieve and recognize that everyone grieves differently.

Being supported by loved ones after losing a pet can help bereaved people heal sooner. Unfortunately, you might find some people don’t consider losing a pet to be a dismissible reason to grieve or provide the emotional support you require. Having your grief disregarded can create an additional layer of distress.

At Essentia Rose Life Transitions, we understand your need to talk about your loss. Our trained and professional counsellors can support your loss and help you find ways to manage and move forward when you are ready.