5 Stages of Grief: Jonathan Ross and Mr Pickle
5 Stages of Grief. In June 2011, the chatshow host Jonathan Ross cancelled a travel series after his black pug, Mr Pickle, died during a trip together through Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railway. JONATHAN Ross was left “completely devastated” when his beloved dog Mr Pickle died while filming on the Trans-Siberian Railway. He and his black pug had flown out to Moscow to record an ITV series set to feature the two of them travelling the 5,600-mile route from Russia to China.
There are 5 stages of grief according to the Kübler-Ross model, popularly known by the acronym DABDA, and are stated on Wikipedia as including:
- Denial — The first reaction is denial. In this stage individuals believe the diagnosis is somehow mistaken, and cling to a false, preferable reality.
- Anger — When the individual recognizes that denial cannot continue, it becomes frustrated, especially at proximate individuals. Certain psychological responses of a person undergoing this phase would be: “Why me? It’s not fair!”; “How can this happen to me?”; ‘”Who is to blame?”; “Why would this happen?”.
- Bargaining — The third stage involves the hope that the individual can avoid a cause of grief. Usually, the negotiation for an extended life is made in exchange for a reformed lifestyle. People facing less serious trauma can bargain or seek compromise.
- Depression — “I’m so sad, why bother with anything?”; “I’m going to die soon, so what’s the point?”; “I miss my loved one, why go on?” During the fourth stage, the individual becomes saddened by the mathematical probability of death. In this state, the individual may become silent, refuse visitors and spend much of the time mournful and sullen.
- Acceptance — “It’s going to be okay.”; “I can’t fight it, I may as well prepare for it.”; “Nothing is impossible.”
In this last stage, individuals embrace mortality or inevitable future, or that of a loved one, or other tragic event. People dying may precede the survivors in this state, which typically comes with a calm, retrospective view for the individual, and a stable condition of emotions.
It is important as a pet owner to realise that the process is exactly the same when you lose a pet, the only real difference is that some people just won’t understand. You must allow yourself the time to grieve.
I totally understand Jonathan Ross cancelling the television show, apparently he was incredibly excited about making the show with Mr Pickle and his death and carrying on without him just wasn’t an option.
A TV associate of the star said: “One of the things Jonathan was really looking forward to after he left the BBC was getting to do a few more off-the-wall productions. Top of his list was this trip with Mr Pickle. “He was incredibly devoted to Mr Pickle. Jonathan doesn’t really like talking about it so the details are a little sketchy, but it seems he died while on the train. “To say Jonathan was devastated is an understatement, he was totally distraught.” The source added: “Jonathan thought about making the trip alone, but just couldn’t bring himself to do it.
Well here at My Pets Ashes we totally understand his response and hope that for all pet owners who are experiencing loss that they can surround themselves with people who understand how devastating it is and that you give yourself time and space to heal.