COPING WITH THE LOSS OF A PET Grief is a natural response to the loss of a loved one and it’s normal to grieve when we lose a pet. The process is the same, regardless of the reason for the loss. There are various stages of grief and we go through those stages when we lose a beloved family member or pet. These stages are not absolute and each person may experience them differently and/or may slide back and forth between the various stages. The stages vary depending on the source but often include the following: Denial and isolation Anger Bargaining Depression Acceptance One of the things that grieving pet owners often deal with is the reaction of those around them to their grief. People who are not necessarily pet lovers may not understand that this grief is real. There may be that sense of “It’s just a pet” that you’ll receive from some people. However, it helps to surround yourself with those who do understand the human-animal bond. These people are more likely to be understanding, sympathetic and willing to comfort you when needed and help you through the hard times. Pets grieve for each other, just like we do. If you have other pets at home, you may notice a change in their behavior as they work through their grief. It’s a good idea to provide a little extra attention and support. Grief is a natural process and it takes time to work through these feelings. One thing you should not do is feel guilty or ashamed about grieving. Everyone is different and you need to do what is right for you. Excerpt: PetMD
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 02:17:00 +0000
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