A loss of a pet who is your loved companion, true friend and a family member is a fact difficult to digest and an intense pain to pass through. It’s a fact that one who is born has to die and it’s natural to grieve over and experience pain over the loss of your furry friend. At this period, you need strength and moral support, which people lack to provide due to their low understanding. They think that it’s just a pet but for you your pet is a lovable companion with whom you used to share a warm bondage. Nevertheless, try to seek the help of those who truly understand your pain.
To cope with this situation, following are a few tips that help you come out of the grief of your loved one.
Shrug off what others tell
It’s normal to feel depressed when your lovable companion has left you forever. There are all sorts of people explaining you not to be so overwhelmed or depressed about your lost pet. Nobody will ever know about the pain, grief, and loneliness you are undergoing due to the loss of your pet. Some may even criticize you telling, it’s not such a big deal to grieve over your lost dog or a cat.
Better, shrug off what all things they want to tell you. Those things will only increase your pain and grief. It is only you who knows how much you loved your four-legged companion and how difficult it is to come out of this situation. Better talk with pet parents who have lost their companions. They can be of much use comforting and giving you solace and mental support.
Different feelings
Loss of someone so dear to us is painful to bear. All different sorts of feelings dwell up inside you and it’s too difficult to cope up with such condition. Besides sorrow and loss, you will also undergo different emotions such as –
Denial – It makes it difficult for you to accept the fact that your pet is gone. It’s tough to accept that your pet will not greet you or he will not come for evening meal. Some pet owners go as extreme as they think that their pet is still alive somewhere and would return soon.
Depression – This is natural because of grief, but can leave you powerless to cope with your feelings. Extreme depression will lead you to darkness of sorrow and takes away all your energy and motivation.
Guilt –You may always feel that you have not taken proper care of your pet. Only if you had taken your pet to a right vet you would have saved your loved pooch. This guilt factor often comes with your pet’s death. It only makes you low and burdens you with more guilt. It would be very difficult to come out of this situation.
Anger – you may feel angry on a vet who failed to save your pooch’s life, a driver who could not able to take you on time. Sometimes, it’s ok but not justified when carried to extreme levels as it can distract your normal well being.
Cope with your feelings
The first step to cope up with your feelings of losing your loved pet is to be honest with your feelings. Accept whether you’re feeling guilty or anger. Don’t allow your pain to recede inside just cry out those emotions and let it flow out through your tears. This will help you somewhat relax and accept the reality.
Don’t try to avoid grief by not thinking about your pet. Pressing your grief will not take it away. Rather remember the good things about your pet and try to accept the reality.
Care for your children after pet loss
Children are worst hit as they are unaware of what is called dead. As it’s their first experience, it’s very difficult for them to accept this fact. They may blame themselves, their parents and veterinarians for the loss of their most lovable pet. They feel guilty, depressed and a fear that their loved ones too will be taken away from him.
Try to protect your child. Never provide several reasons for pet loss because when he finds the truth, he will feel betrayed. Rather, let him know the truth and showing your own grief, your child will learn that sadness is part of life.
Care your other pets
The other pets may feel the same loss as you feel. The only difference is that they cannot express their grief verbally. Starting few days, your other pets may whimper too often, refuse to eat food or drink. They can even suffer from lethargy, especially if they are very close to the deceased pet.
Try to help them come out of this condition. Show more love, provide extra care and take them out of the home environment for few days. This will help to bring them back to normal state. If still, you find that your pet is showing behavioral changes, then better seek vet’s advice.
Pet loss is really a difficult phase to pass. Help yourself to come out of this situation. Try to cherish the sweet memories of your pet rather than grieving. It is difficult to be done then said but you need to come out of this situation. If you still find tougher to come out of this situation, seek psychiatrist’s help.
