Loss of a Pet and the Emotional Rollercoaster

For many of us, pets aren’t just animals that hang around the house-they’re part of our families. So when we experience one of them passing away, in many regards it’s as if we’ve lost one of our relatives. In fact, we often experience a cornucopia of different emotions. During this time it’s important to recognize the array of emotions that we feel, in order to better cope with the situation. Here are some of the most common emotions that we experience whenever we lose a pet dog, cat, parrot, or penguin:

1. Anger

This is a natural emotion that we often feel whenever we lose anything of value to us, including pets. Think about all the time and effort you spent with your pet-perhaps for several years or more than a decade. It’s tough when suddenly your beloved pet and friend is gone. While the feelings of anger are normal, it’s important that you channel it properly into activities that will help you to release your anger and frustration constructively. Go exercise or play a sport, but never take out your anger on anyone around you.

2.  Anxiety

Have you ever felt worried after you lost something? This is yet another common emotion that people feel after their pet has passed away. We worry about what will happen next, and how we can go on with our lives. This is normal. The opposite of worrying is taking action. When you start dealing with the situation instead of fretting about it, you’ll find that it will be much easier to experience closure.

3.  Confusion

This is another common emotion that people often experience after their pet passes away. We experience the same situation when a friend or relative passes away. We remember particular occasions when they were in our presence, then we realize suddenly that they’re gone! Fat Loss 4 Idiots The situation can be quite mind-boggling and perhaps even surreal. Five Point Lede Although it sometimes takes a while, it’s important to eventually accept the pet’s passing away. Although a new pet will never replace the old one, it can help to make sense of the situation.

4. Frustration

After we do everything possible to keep our pets happy and healthy, oftentimes we have no control over their passing away. If it is a simple case of fleas on dogs or dirt in a dog’s coat we can deal with it but when our beloved pet passes away it is a different matter.  That can be an extremely difficult situation to deal with. We like to feel that we have control over our own lives, though there are some situations that are simply out of our hands. While we can’t control fate, we can control our reaction to it. If you’re religious, this would be an ideal time to renew your faith. Even if you’re not religious, this is an excellent time for reflection. As Reinhold Niebuhr’s “Serenity Prayer” advises, we should all accept the things that we’re unable to change.

5. Sadness

This is one of the most prevalent and strongest emotions when we lose a pet that’s passed away. It’s normal to feel sadness, and particularly when you’ve had that pet for several years. If you feel the need for it, crying is okay too. During this time it’s important to think about the happy times you had with your pet. You could create an online or offline memorial such as the one at Pet Loss Grief Support, start a scrapbook, or take any other action that will help you to remember the joyous times you had while your pet was alive. Some pet owners even take comfort reading poems. You can find some at Healing and Inspiration Poetry for Pet Loss.

 

Loss of a Pet: Fiction Vs. Fact

 

Life is full of disappointments and sadness. One of the most devastating experiences anyone can have is losing a pet. As when dealing with any difficult situation in life, not all the advice and notions involving this situation are true. Here are some debunked myths about the the loss of a pet:

1. Fiction: Pet loss only involves the passing away of a pet

Fact: The loss of a pet can occur in many different ways, and on many different levels. For example, sometimes pets run away from our homes forever. Also, the loss involving the pet can also be linked to human relationships as well. For instance, if we lose a pet then we’ll also lose the relationships we had with people involved in our pet’s care, such as pet-sitters. Also, we can also lose a symbolic relationships to someone, such as when a diseased relative gave us a particular pet as a gift.

2. Fiction: We should not get emotional when we lose a pet

Fact: We humans are emotional by nature. Conversational Hypnosis Suppressing our emotions after the loss of something valuable, such as a pet, is unhealthy. In fact, we often experience an array of different emotions after losing a pet, including sadness, anger, and anxiety. This is the time that we need to determine the emotions that we’re experiencing, and then deal with them properly.

3. Fiction: Only humans mourn the loss of a pet

Fact: Truth be told, other pets often display many of the same behaviors that humans do after the loss of a household pet. For instance, they might spend time searching for the lost pet, or lose their appetite. One of the best ways to deal with the situation, is to get another pet. This will help the other pet(s) in your home to recover from the loss of another pet.

4. Fiction: Kids always recover from the loss of a pet during their childhood

Fact: As adults we often remember pets that we had during our childhood, and arguably sometimes we never fully recover from the loss of a particular pet. Pets are often like family members, so they’re difficult to forget. Texas High School Football Hall Of Fame Yes, we move on with our lives and perhaps own several more pets. However, there will always be a special place in our hearts for the pet dog, fish, or hermit crab.

5. Fiction: We should always try to cheer up a person who has lost a pet

Fact: When a person talks about the sadness that he or she has experienced due to the loss of a pet, it’s important that we listen to him or her. Yes, we should try to cheer up the person. To do this we can buy them a gift (payday loans can help with the expense if you are not prepared for it). However, it’s also important that we help the person to sort through the rainbow of emotions that he or she is feeling. One way to do that is by talking about them.

6. Fiction: Losing a pet can never be as devastating as losing a human relative or friend

Fact: Many people who have lost pets will tell you otherwise. The sadness that we can experience after losing a pet can be just as traumatic as the loss of a human friend or relative. In fact, sometimes people decide to own pets as a temporary substitute of sorts while they are far from their friends or relatives.

 

What Not to Say after Someone Has Lost His or Her Pet

 

When we say all the wrong things at the wrong time, the results can be devastating. That includes the situation in which someone we know has just lost a pet. This is a very sensitive time for the person, so it’s crucial that we try to avoid saying or implying anything unkind. Apartments Lisbon The good news is that there’s a 99.9% chance that someone else has already made any misspeaking blunders that we could possibly make. Here are some of the most common ones to avoid like the plague:

1. It was just a pet

In many households, pets are like a member of the family. So when the family loses a pet, it’s as if they’ve lost a relative. Even if your intentions are good, this isn’t the time to refer to the lost pet as only a pet. Losing a pet isn’t like losing your car to a road accident. If you have auto insurance a car can be easily replaced whereas a pet of course cannot. OK, maybe you’re not a fan of pets.  Even if you aren’t, it’s crucial to remember that the loss of a pet can be quite devastating for a person. Instead, this is the time to empathize with the ex-pet owner, by remembering how you felt whenever you lost something valuable. It probably seemed like the end of the world, right?

2. Only remember the good times

After people lose a pet, they often want to talk about the sadness that they’re feeling. To be a true friend, it’s important that you validate their feelings. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t remind the person of the good times that he or she had while the pet was alive. However, never automatically try to steer the conversation from talk about the person’s sadness, to “the good old days.” The process of dealing with the loss of a pet should include sharing whatever feelings a person feels-which will almost certainly include sadness.

3. There will be other pets

While this might be true, it’s definitely not something that you should mention soon after a person has lost a pet. Instead, the person will likely feel that the lost pet is irreplaceable-and to some degree it is.  Losing a pet is not like simply replacing your old timber doors with superior UPVC Doors or upgrading your television set to the latest 3D model. Most pet owners see their pet as unique and irreplacable. This is the time to help your friend or relative cope with the loss of his or her pet. After the period of mourning is over, you could gently suggest that the person consider getting another pet. Just remember: timing is everything!

4. Get over it

Is it important for someone who has lost a pet to recover from the situation? Yes it is! Keep in mind that the mourning period will be a different duration for different people. So instead of being critical about how slowly someone has recovered from the loss of a pet, provide some support so he or she can accomplish that goal! This can include either online or offline support. What’s important is to provide help so your friend or relative can deal with the situation. It could take weeks for him or her to recover from the loss, or it could take a lifetime. Ryanutopia Remember that while time heals all wounds, the amount of time needed can vary quite considerably.

5. Pets can’t live forever

This is undoubtedly one of the worst things you could say to someone who has just lost his or her pet. Yes, it’s true. However, it’s a situation that pet owners are willing to experience due to the joy that owning the pet can provide.

 

How to help kids cope with losing a pet?

Sharing our life with a pet is a true experience of love. Our pets provide us with unconditional love, companionship, affection. Our relationship is unique and special. However, if your pet dies, is lost or stolen or even if it is placed in a new home, the loss of relationship can be devastating and one of the most difficult moments of our lives.

 

The grief period can be short or long and can manifest in many ways. There are people who suffer a shock or feel anger, loneliness and depression. Grief can also manifest itself in drowsiness, fatigue, changes in appetite and in tears. Friends, family members and many other people may not understand the importance of our pet. They may say things like “It’s just an animal” or “go buy another like it.” Our regret is valid, we should not feel guilty, embarrassed or ashamed by our feelings.

 

Condolences on the loss of our pet is normal and natural. There is no right or wrong way to grieve for the loss of a friend and each person reacts in their own way, but the loss of a pet is no easy thing for an adult, but even more, for a child as they see things differently and can be very affected by the loss of a pet.

 

How to help kids cope with losing a pet?

 

Usually the family pet is a cherished friend to our children. Journal Con Often the loss of our pet is the first experience of loss and grief in their lives. Here’s some advice to help our children and any child cope with the loss of your pet:

- We must be honest with the kids, to avoid making false stories about the loss of it to protect them.

- We externalize our feelings and let our children know it’s normal to feel sad and mourn.

- In the case of euthanasia of our pets, we should not refer to it as “putting our animal to sleep” or our children may be confused and feel that if they fall asleep they could also die.

- Give your children a chance to say goodbye to their friend.

- We need to talk as a family about our love for our pets and their loss and let them know that nothing can erase the memories of their pet.

- Let your children know that losing a pet is not anyone’s fault.

 

Here are some ways  we can remember our special relationship with our pet:

- We can take a day off work

- Write a poem, praise, song or phrase about your pet.

- Gather photos and other memories in a notebook that will help keep our memories alive.

- Make a donation to a charity (can be an animal protection association) on behalf of our pet.

- Burying your pet (their body or ashes) in a special place where you can go to remember them.