| Sometimes special animals come into our lives and | | | | because it's an animal rather than a human, or |
| touch our hearts in a way that leaves us forever | | | | who have unrealistic expectations of you at this |
| changed. A chapter ends as the familiar road you | | | | very vulnerable time. |
| traveled together comes to an abrupt and. You | | | | 5. Let people know if you need to talk about your |
| are in uncharted territory without a map. Lost. | | | | lost pet. Many well-intended people may try to |
| The world as you know it may look totally | | | | change the subject to make it easier on you and |
| different. | | | | you may need to let them know that it's okay to |
| Not everyone realizes that the bond between | | | | talk about it. |
| humans and their pets can be deeper than with a | | | | 6. Find a pet loss support group locally or online |
| loved human. Some people often spend more | | | | and make use of the national pet loss support |
| time with their pets than they do with family | | | | hotlines. |
| members. Pets don't judge or hurt us the way | | | | 7. Nurture yourself. Get a massage. Take walks |
| humans can. The loss of their constant, | | | | that nature. Meditate. Have lunch with a |
| unconditional love can leave us empty. | | | | supportive friend. Do what feeds your soul. |
| There is no best way to get through the loss of | | | | 8. Know yourself well enough to know if getting a |
| a beloved pet. The way through the grief process | | | | new pet at this time will help or hinder our grief |
| is different for everyone. Here are some things I | | | | process. Some people do fine jumping right in with |
| found helpful when I lost Maggie, my beautiful | | | | a new dog or cat. Others may resent having a |
| black lab with whom I had the most precious of | | | | new animal in the house too quickly. |
| relationships: | | | | 9. Help animals at your local humane society or |
| 1. Hold a ritual after your pet dies and invite | | | | get involved with the many breed rescue groups |
| friends and family who knew and loved your pet. | | | | in your area. It may help ease your pain if you |
| Share stories about how your beloved animal | | | | allow your love from your lost animal to become |
| enriched your life and other lives she touched. You | | | | part of a bigger purpose, such as assisting and |
| may also want to create a memorial altar with a | | | | caring for homeless animals. |
| candle and your pets' photo, along with other | | | | 10. Try new things to discover more of yourself; |
| items that belong to or remind you of your pet, | | | | those creative endeavors you have often |
| such as her dish, special toys, and a lock of her | | | | considered but have never tried. |
| hair. | | | | We all have to face grief and loss eventually. It's |
| 2. Recognize that the grief of pet loss can be | | | | one of the great equalizers in life. Allow your pet's |
| exceptionally profound and honor that by giving | | | | death to ripple the foundation of who you are, as |
| your grief the space to be. Allow your tears. | | | | death often does. When we experienced loss, it |
| Set-aside quiet time each day where you can | | | | may be a good time to let go of what no longer |
| decrease the demands of the outside world. Write | | | | fits in your life; what isn't you. In my case, after I |
| in your journal. Allow your pain to express and | | | | lost Maggie, I changed both personally and |
| release. | | | | professionally. I hope my steps on the road from |
| 3. Let in the compassion and understanding of | | | | loss to healing can now benefit you in your time |
| supportive family friends and strangers. | | | | of loss. As devastating as the loss of our beloved |
| 4. Don't be surprised if some family members or | | | | animals can be, this time can also be an excellent |
| friends are not as supportive as you might | | | | opportunity to examine our purpose in life and find |
| expect them to be. Allow yourself to take time | | | | new meaning. |
| off from friends who don't understand the depth | | | | ©Permission to reproduce granted with |
| of your grief, who try to downplay your loss | | | | credit to the author. |