How to stay positive when coping with pet bereavement during lockdown
I know your inboxes might be full of dreadful news at the moment so I just thought I’d reach out and send you a big virtual hug and loads of support during this testing period.
Pet Bereavement
Bereavement is incredibly tough at any time but without being able to connect with our physical support groups it can make finding ways to cope even more difficult.
There is support out here and we are working really hard to support all our customers, friends and local suppliers as best we can.
We have taken the precaution of only having one person in the office at any time and our brilliant couriers have introduced a super safe delivery method to ensure we all stay safe and well.
Make the most of the sunshine
We are blessed with some lovely sunshine at the moment and it will help you. If you cannot get outside please open a window and try to get your face directly into those rays. You will be soaking up all that vital Vitamin D.
It will also increase your serotonin levels which can lift your mood and help you to focus. Sunshine also helps us to produce white blood cells which help our immunity.
Enjoy the peace whilst it lasts
Although it can feel strange it is beautifully quiet out there right now. I sat and had my cup of tea in the garden this morning and could hear so many different birds singing in the trees. It was such a privilege to be surrounded by such a soothing sound.
The tranquility can make our inner voice very loud though. But often when we are dealing with our grief our lives are too busy and noisy. If you can bear to sit with those thoughts and allow them to flow through you it can help your journey through the pain.
Do please remember that there are lots of support groups out there and they are still taking phone calls so if you need to talk to someone please do.
See our website for details
Spring is here
After all that rain finally spring is here. In Devon we are in full bloom of amazing lemon coloured primroses. They always bring real joy to my heart when I first see them poking through the grass.
If you have a garden or a window box do try and breathe in the scent. And you could always treat yourself to a home delivery of blooms. You don’t have to wait for someone to send them to you!
Take good care of yourself
Bereavement is physically as well as mentally punishing so you need to try really hard to do nice things for yourself. Being stuck at home does mean more time and I would really love you to make the most of it with some self-love.
Here are a couple of my favourite treats at the moment:
• Sitting in the garden to have my first cup of tea in the morning
• Having a long soak in the bath and moisturising afterwards
• Massaging my feet and then painting my toenails
• Planting salad seeds in my vegetable plot
• Taking my time to cook comforting meals from what I can find in my larder.
Very emotional to read your e.mails. We lost our best friend Dougal on Tuesday aged 12. We cared for him diligently through 18 months of his diabetes and he was simply a wonderful boy – a westie with great personality. Unfortunately he became ill with an associated problem and went downhill very quickly and we had no choice but to ease his pain.
The words you shared here accord entirely with the way we are feeling.
We are broken.
Thank you for sharing your grief and allowing us to share ours.
Hi Brian
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss and thank you for sharing your pain and experience, I have found it very helpful and I’m sure many otehrs will too. Karen
My grief for my best friend Brooke feels so overwhelming. . Brooke was a 12 year old lab I raised from a puppy. She was the most caring, loving companion a person could imagine. Loved by everyone who know her. I just lost her three nights ago, and the pain and tears qont seem to stop. Everywhere I turn everywhere I look theres my Brookie. The hollow in the pit of stomach wells up that leads to tears like I feel I’ve never felt before. As a 64 year old man I know this isnt the first time of these feelings. Brooke had gradually gotten older with health issues that led to her death. She died here at home naturally, peacefully without any drugs. God answered that prayer. I was so hoping it would be this way. We are waiting on Brooke to come home from cremation. I miss her so much. She was my everything it seems. I feel terribly empty right now. I know these intense feelings will get better with time. But right now it’s like I’ve never been here. My prayers and thoughts go out to others who may be going through this as well! Thank you for being here for me to share. RIP Brookie, my love.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feelings about the loss of your beloved Brooke here. Like me I’m sure other people coping with the loss of their pet will really appreciate it. And I’m also sure, like me, they’d like to send you their condolences in this difficult time. I’m so pleased that you were able to be with Brooke at the end, she must have found that a huge comfort.
And thank you for your kind wishes to others who are grieving the loss of a pet.
Do take care and look after yourself, it is so important to take special care as bereavement takes a tough toll on both your heart and your body. You might find it helpful to sign up to my bereavement guide, I’ve had a lot of lovely feedback from people who have said that it has helped them.
Karen