Anyone who’s ever questioned the phrase “man’s best friend” has obviously never shared his or her life with a dog or cat. The relationship between owners and pets is one that can’t be duplicated through any other means. Pets offer the kind of comfort and unwavering devotion we’re hard-pressed to find among fellow humans. It’s truly companionship at its most loving.
That’s why the loss of a pet and that rare connection is so profound and devastating. Some people feel silly for being so struck by their dog or cat’s death, but to deny such sadness and pain is to deny the importance of these dear friends in our lives. Only by acknowledging the grief and taking the right steps can a bereaved owner’s healing process begin.
Talk it out with people who can relate.
First, it’s essential that those dealing with pet death realize that their feelings are valid and perfectly normal. People who’ve never had close relationships with dogs or cats often don’t understand the pain of losing one. Grief over pet loss isn’t as acknowledged or respected as the death of another person (though that’s slowly starting to change). Sadness might be met with confusion or apathy, which makes owners question their strong feelings. What these uninformed, albeit well-intentioned, individuals in our lives don’t realize is that losing a beloved dog or cat is just like losing a family member. We shouldn’t be afraid to treat the matter accordingly—venting, crying, and confronting the pain.
This could mean going beyond friends and family to voice frustrations, memories, sadness, and so forth. Grievers need sympathetic listeners who know what saying goodbye to pets entails. If they can’t be found in an existing circle of loved ones, talk to a veterinarian about other options. He or she might recommend a therapist, a grief counselor, or pet loss-focused support groups in the area. Don’t listen to anyone who says that talking to a professional is “taking things too far”; just because an animal’s life was lost instead of a human’s, it doesn’t make the grief any less justified. There are also numerous online message boards with hundreds of people in the same situation. Take time to find the person or people you can really open up to and speak honestly and openly about the pain so you can overcome it.
