For purposes of this blog, when I mention pet loss grief, I’m focusing on dogs. From personal experience, I know that losing a dog is a painful experience – as are other pets’ deaths.
Due to dogs’ natures and our proximity to them, having a dog pass away does indeed cause genuine and significant grief. Having a dog die is having a family member and/or best friend die.
Other people’s sentiments of “it’s only a dog” add to our grief.
Sometimes it’s harder having a dog die as our relationships with other people can be “complicated” and those we have with our dogs are pretty “pure.” Love speaks louder than words.
Our dogs also love us without issues with our shortcomings. They tend to stay by our side, no matter what. Take for example how excited dogs are to see us…whether it’s been 2 minutes, 2 hours or 2 days. How cool is it that someone is THAT excited to see you all the time!
For a lot of people, myself included, a dog’s love is the most unconditional love out there.
We as humans need to feel this love and connection, knowing that someone always views us in this special way is amazing. And losing this unconditional love is indeed very difficult.
Lots of time and energy is invested in relationships with dogs. They are a BIG part of our everyday rituals. And when these rituals are no longer “needed” we feel empty.
Another heartbreaking component of having a dog die is if there’s compassionate euthanasia involved. Even writing these words now brings back painful memories of the 2 times I’ve had to do this.
As with the death of a person, there is no timetable for grieving a pet’s death.
And as with all grief – remember these steps to getting through it:
- be good to yourself
- know your grief is YOURS (and will look different from others’ grief)
- feel your feelings
- honor your struggle
- find some legacy opportunities and…
- B-R-E-A-T-H-E.
You’re not alone in your grief journey. I’m here to support you as needed.
HUGS,
Susan
