"Are you or a family member having difficulty in accepting the loss of your pet and cannot resolve feelings of grief and sorrow?"

 

Little has been known about pet bereavement until recently and therefore it is not surprising that so many people find the pain and confusion of their loss so disturbing. This is often made worse by the total lack of understanding from those who believe the loss means nothing and the fact that we live in a society where thinking or speaking about death is passionately avoided. 

 

Pet owners have a strong emotional and social relationship with a pet, and the death of an animal can elicit strong feelings that often parallel the grief from the loss of a human companion. The bonding between owner and pet often involves a more private and personal side of our nature than we would entrust to a human. Their dependency upon us leads to our relying heavily on their need. 

 

The grieving process is the same as for humans with a mix of feelings starting with shock and denial, and moving on to emotional pain and eventual acceptance. Up to 75% of pet owners experience difficulties including disruption of their lives.

 

Many pet owners still hide their distress from those who have no understanding or sensitivity to their problem.  But why?  Pets are members of our family.  On a positive note, society is slowly changing its views about pet bereavement and the stigma is finally losing its effectiveness.  People are beginning to realize that mourning is not a privileged commemoration to be reserved only for the loss of human loved ones. 

 

If you are grieving over an animal that is sick, one that is dying, or one that has died, or pet loss associated with divorce, relationship issues, relocation, a disappearance or a disability, sometimes it helps to share your feelings with someone who knows from personal experience how distressing the loss of a pet can be for you.