Coping with the Loss of a Pet
How we handle our pet’s death varies widely from person to person and depends on what that pet has meant and/or represented to us. Pets love us unconditionally. They are faithful, welcoming, and patient even on our worst days. They may take the place of a child never conceived or a companion no longer around. They can mean many different things to many different people.With the loss of a pet, we grieve. We travel through the exact same grieving process we would for the passing of a dear relative. Surrounding yourself with other people who understand this loss is very helpful.
There are also several things you can do that may alleviate your pain:
- Write a letter to your pet expressing your feelings.
- Create a scrapbook, journal or collage of your favorite memories.
- Plant a tree, shrub, garden or flower bed as a permanent growing
memorial to your pet. - Add your pet's identification tags to your key ring.
- Create a memory box. Use an old shoe box, decorate it and
put special things that remind you of your pet, such as collar
tags, photos, special toys, leash, etc. You may choose to write
a poem or story about your pet and keep it in the box as well. - Volunteer at an animal shelter.
- Make a donation in your pet's name to a local veterinary hospital
or favorite animal charity. - Have a portrait of your pet drawn from a favorite photo.
- Purchase a book, perhaps a children's book, on coping with the
loss of a pet and donate it to your local library or school. Ask the
librarian to place a label inside the front cover inscribed
"In memory of (your pet's name)." - Decorate a candle and light it in memory of your pet.
- Observe National Pet Memorial Day on the second Sunday in
September. - Allow yourself to express your grief in whatever creative way comes
to mind, whatever feels right for you.
You do not need society’s approval to mourn for your pet. If you are having
difficulty coping, there are many areas to receive help. You could talk to someone
at your veterinarian’s office—we have all lost pets and know exactly what you are
going through! (You can always contact us! Our contact information is at www.westernplainsanimalrefuge.org).
There are grief counseling hot lines specifically dealing with pet loss, and many
books out on the subject.
Remember, your life is, and will continue to be, better because of the time you
shared with your pet.
Categories: Cat Care,Dog Care,Western Plains Animal Refuge,Pet Loss
Tags: animal care Animal Health Center Hays animal shelter cats dealing with the death of a pet animal shelters dogs
I had 2 family pets that I had to have put down, one a chow mix had a tumor that had wrapped around her bladder she was 18 years old and the other was an Australian shepherd mix that chose us. He showed up as a stray and almost instantly he and my son hit it off. We had him for 17 years and figured he was a couple years old when he adopted us. His heart was giving out and the least bit of exercise, simple walking to the door to go outside to do his business was a major exertion for him. It broke my heart to have them put to sleep, I was so torn between my choices. You don't put your grandmother to sleep just because shes old and has cancer or heart failure. Nothing has hurt more completely and more deeply than making the choice I made. I stayed with them till the very end and took them home afterwords to their final resting place. Its been 6 years and I have only had one dog since. a boxer pit mix that someone was giving away that my son fell in love with. I wasn't into another dog so the terms were clear...your dog you take care of him. My son was 15 after all and was basically raised in an animal shelter that i worked in for 10 plus years. He knew what he had to do and what was expected of a responsible dog owner. He did his job well and it seemed the more I tried to keep my distance from this dog the more he would try. Before I knew it I was mom to this bundle of boundless energy. We lived in the country and he only went outside when we had to run into town or to do his business. He grew into a beautiful intelligent loving boisterous member of our family. He would always do something to make you laugh when things weren't going well for you or anytime now that i stop and think about it. It seemed to make his day when you would laugh...odd i know but that was our "JD" (yes juvenile delinquent!) We put him out on his run when we made a trip into town to pay some bills. When we came back he was dead, on his run. Someone had beaten him to death. His ribs were broken and he had a knot on his head. We cried like babies and held a memorial as we buried him. That was 2 years ago. I know they had good lives and were loved whole heartedly, and our lives were enriched by their presence. Their memories still bring tears but I found talking with my children and friends who knew and loved them almost as much as I did to be comforting and healing. We have since moved and are now looking for a puppy, not as a replacement but as a companion for my two youngest and we all know in the end for me too. They become a big part of our family, it can't be helped and I really wouldn't have it any other way.
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