Coping With The Loss Of a Pet

“For they are forever loved, never forgotten and always in our hearts”

You love your pets for their whole life and you will miss them forever for the rest of yours. When your pet passes away, confusion, sorrow, grief and loneliness is inevitable. As Philip Yancey once said’ “When suffering happens, it forces us to confront life in a different way than we normally do”. Here are some strategies to help you cope with the feelings of loneliness or helplessness that you might feel after the loss of a pet.

1. Acknowledge that every grief journey is unique.
The first step would be to understand that the grieving process differs from person to person. Grief doesn’t really follow a set timeframe. One can take days or even years to deal with the loss. So, take your own time to adjust to the new reality- a world without your pet. Cry, shout or lay in your bed for hours. It's ok not to be ok. Acknowledgement is the first step towards healing.

2. Create a journal or scrapbook
Healing is a difficult process. One critical step in the healing journey is confronting your emotions. Take some time and try to understand what you are being consumed by and put your feelings on a paper. Don't suppress your emotions instead give it voice and shape. Go where your mind takes you. It is equally important to address both positive as well as negative emotions.
If possible, keep a separate journal for your happy and sad thoughts. Over time, you will realize that you may not need to write anymore. Retain the journal filled with happy thoughts and memories - revisit it whenever you feel overwhelmed or miss your paw-friend. Writing as a process, is therapeutic - it will surely provide relief at a difficult time.

3. Shift your focus
Do something that helps you shift your focus. Some form of activity that releases the endorphins is preferable as they trigger a positive feeling in the body.

• Exercise is the most underutilized antidepressant. Engage yourself in some tension and stress relieving work out sessions.
• Music plays an important role in our physical and emotional well-being. Research findings have shown that music therapy can change brain waves and alter our moods and thoughts. When overwhelmed with emotions, play some soothing music to feel better.
• Meditation can give you a sense of deep calm, peace, and balance. It also helps to lower the body's stress hormone levels. Remember every time you inhale, try to breathe in positivity and every time you exhale breathe out negative emotions.
• Engage in other activities such as swimming, horse riding or trekking which will help you to relax your mind. Reconnect with your hobbies or passions.

4. Create a memorial
There are many ways in which you can honor the memory of a pet.
A funeral is one way to celebrate a pet's life. Get your family and friends together and read through each other's stories or make a tribute video. Relive the memories by narrating your stories to bring some closure to their passing. Pet memorial jewelry is also a beautiful way of keeping your pet's memory close to you at all times. Options range from cremation jewelry, which uses some of your pet's ashes, to personalized necklaces, rings, and bracelets.

5. Emotional Support groups
Find people who empathize towards you and your feelings. There are chances that your friends or family members might not understand the emotional turmoil you are going through. In such situations reach out to others who have lost their pets and join the support group or create your own emotional support group. Pet loss support groups can be a shoulder to lean on as you go through the mourning process and help you find healing.

Takeaway
Losing a pet can be just as heartbreaking as losing a human friend or family member. The love, companionship and loyalty of your pet is special and unmatched, so it’s understandable to experience difficulty coping with your loss. As with other losses, living without your pet will get easier over time. The important thing is to take care of yourself and let the grieving process run its course while also honoring your pet’s special love.