Pet death grief can be profound and life-changing.
They Just Don’t Understand!
“My baby, Charlie, died two weeks ago. I am heartbroken and don’t know what to do. Charlie lived with me for thirteen years, so I guess he died of old age. He was the bright spot in my life and my best friend in the whole world. Charlie was a Springer Spaniel who I adopted from the animal shelter.
I can’t eat, I can’t sleep, and I cry all the time. I have had to work these last two weeks, even though I am devastated (there is no such thing as pet bereavement leave). I am a nurse’s aid at the hospital, and I think they are all talking about me, about how I am so torn up over just a DOG.
I am a divorced Mom, but my two kids are finally out on their own, so I live alone. Except for Charlie, that is. He adored me. When I came home at night, he would run around until he found something to pick up in his mouth, his “gift” for me, then he would run around in circles with his butt wagging. So excited to see me. Then I would reach down and stroke his silky ears, and ask my little man how his day went.
Honestly, I didn’t think I would take Charlie’s death this hard, I wasn’t this sad when my Aunt Katherine died last year. Is there something wrong with me?
I feel totally alone in my grief, as I am embarrassed to admit all this to anyone. It doesn’t matter anyway, because they just don’t understand!”
~Sandi Morgan, Philadelphia, PA
Pet death…
Sandi is absolutely right. Most people don’t understand how someone can grieve so heavily over a lost pet. Society is just not comfortable with death, and grief. And when you are talking about an animal, even if a beloved pet, they really don’t get it. Your grievous loss is easily dismissed in their minds (“Good grief, it’s just a cat”).
You have come to the right place for a sympathetic ear to your pet death grief. We understand how deep and loving the bond between man and the animal can be, and how the grief when a pet dies can be just as profound as that felt when a human dies.
We have provided in this section a soft place for you to explore as you mourn the loss of your beloved animal companion:
- Coping with the death of your pet
- Post a memorial page honoring your pet
- Pet loss memorials, including urns, memory boxes, memorial stones, plaques, and burial markers
- Pet loss poetry
- Pet loss books
Pet death…
| A GREAT NEW RESOURCE
We have found a great new resource that might be just what you need…It is an e-workbook entitled “How to ROAR: Pet Loss Grief Recovery”, by Robin Jean Brown. Ms. Brown has turned her own grief into a focused recovery process that uses journaling, to help you:
The loss of a beloved animal companion can be devastating. Society does not provide us with the rituals and resources to properly deal with pet loss grief, so we suffer alone, and in silence. ROAR is a sensible, practical, compassionate approach that helps lead you gently through the grief of losing one of your “best friends”. Read more about ROAR, highly recommended and reasonably priced: Pet Loss Grief Recovery |
Expressing Sympathy for Pet Loss
Pet death…
Are you the friend of someone stricken by the loss of a much-loved pet?
We provide some really thoughtful and caring ways for you to express your sympathy to your bereaved friend below. But keep in mind that you needn’t spend a lot of money to show your support.
What your buddy needs right now more than anything is your understanding and sympathy. Do NOT belittle his or her right to grieve his lost pet. Do NOT urge him to get a replacement pet. Read on for an exploration on pet death bereavement and ways to lend support:
- Expressing sympathy to a bereaved pet owner; how to offer support, send sympathy wishes
- Pet loss gifts & sympathy bundles
