Losing A Pet

Understanding Pet Grief

No one wants to say goodbye to their dog.

Unfortunately, most of us will face this heartbreaking day as pet parents. And, when it does, the grief that comes with it can be almost overwhelming.

Grief isn’t something our society talks about very often, especially when it involves a lost pet. However, it’s a profound experience that can become all-consuming.

For many people, the grief of losing a pet is more difficult to navigate than that of a close friend or loved one.

And there’s a reason for that.

As pet parents, we open our arms, hearts, and homes to our animal companions in a completely different way than we do for other humans. After all, we accept full responsibility for their care, health, well-being, and happiness.

In return, they give us their boundless love and devotion, despite our shortcomings.

But this sense of responsibility can also impact the grieving process, causing us to think we failed them in some way. The idea that if only we had done something different or better, we wouldn’t have lost them.

That’s because the human brain loves to fix problems, find solutions, and make things neat and tidy. We also do a good job beating ourselves up and feeling there was something we should have done.

But grief is messy and disorienting, especially when it involves a pet. That’s why we have to give ourselves time and patience to process the experience, even when it takes years.

I was recently talking to a friend who brought a new dog home a few weeks ago. He confessed that he felt like he was betraying his last dog by welcoming a new companion into his life – it had been 2-1/2 years since he’d said goodbye to her.

Other people – myself included – add to their empty nest far sooner, unable to heal over the dog they lost without the support of another.

At the end of the day, grief touches us all differently, and it doesn’t go away entirely. Instead, it just loses its sharp edges with time.

If you find yourself on this path, remember to be kind to yourself and patient. Recognize that you gave your dog an amazing life. Focus on moments where you can see them at their happiest because you made them happen.

And remember that you’re not alone.

Whether you connect with loved ones or strangers online, reach out for support if you need it.

Grief may be a unique and personal experience, but it can also have a lot of things in common. That’s why we need to talk about it.