Dealing with the loss of a pet
Losing a pet is devastating, but there are ways to cope with the loss of your precious companion, as Lorna White reports
Pets are a member of the family and losing them is heartbreaking. We asked Pet Bereavement Counsellor, Naomi Steward, to share her expert advice to help guide those of us who have lost a pet through the natural grieving process.
How losing a pet can affect us
“A pet is the only companionship some of us have and the loss of them can be just as great as losing a relative,” says Naomi. “Without the motivation of needing to take their dog for a walk, for example, some lose the reason to leave the house and interact with others, taking away that feeling of purposefulness.”
This loneliness can be worsened when non-pet owners struggle to understand the grief you might be feeling.
“People sometimes respond with, ‘It’s just an animal’, or ‘just get a new one’ which can make us feel isolated and exacerbate the grief,” Naomi says. “There’s no time limit to your recovery from the loss and you may need to talk
‘For some people, the loss of a pet can be just as great as losing a relative’
about it at length for weeks afterwards. Gradually, you should feel yourself getting through it, one day at a time.”
The uncertainty of not knowing what has happened to a pet that has been lost or stolen only intensifies the feelings of grief. “Coming to terms with the fact that a pet may never come home is terribly hard,” explains Naomi.
And as pets get older or suffer health conditions, making the difficult decision to put them to sleep is very tough, often leading to guilt. “Ultimately, pet lovers will do whatever’s best for their animal. Every decision is made out of love, so it’s important not to dwell on this.”