When a beloved pet dies, some people simply accept the pet loss,
as a regular part of life.People that have strong feelings for their
pets are deeply affected by their grief. In taking responsibility
for owning a pet, we accept the burden of every aspect for that
pets life. As a pet grows from a baby to adult, that pets responsibility
and affection becomes a way of life to us. This mutual bonding
becomes an exchange of need and fulfillment between owner and
pet. It's ironic that we become dependent on our pets as well.
We rely on their needing us. When a pet eventually dies, as we all
must, we are never prepared emotionally, from our pet loss. We
first get an extreme case of separation anxiety. Our routine and
patterns are disrupted abruptly by the loss of our pets.
Understanding the phases of grief and mourning that other people
have gone through, can help us through our loss
and bereavement. Often the way we react depends upon the
circumstances of how our love ones pass and how attached we were
to them.
Shock and disbelief, is usually the first stage, Whether the pets death
was sudden or expected. It doesn't seem real. We have trouble accepting the truth and are not equipped to handle the reality of the pet loss. We all experience this to some degree.
Anger occurs when the numbness wears off.We are often overwhelmed by anger. This emotion must be released and let go. Withheld, anger can become a potent force in self destructiveness. It is common to feel anger when something we love is taken away form us.
Through depression and grief, we feel overwhelmed and very sad at
the loss of our loved one. All we seem to care about is the loss of
our pet and our own misery. Appetite loss and difficulty sleeping
are signs of these emotions. Depression is the most normal of the
stages to our pets death. We need some time and privacy to recover
through our depression and grief.
Give yourself time, the length of time to recover varies with each
individual. Some need more time and support than others. We have
to give time for release of grief without diminishing the memory of
our pet. We never lose a sense of bereavement for a pet. But we do
learn to be less and less overwhelmed by their death.
Moving on, no matter what method you choose, a Pet Memorial or Garden Memorial etc... You should offer a simple eulogy to help closure to the event. It's a chance to be involved with the final experience with your pet and to realize your loss and express feelings about it. It
will give you a chance to say, "you are gone, but not forgotten."
Your relationship with your pet is very special. Keep them in your
heart.
About the Author:
New writer. Trying to write subjects I know about.
Pet Loss
