Coping with Pet Loss: How to Prepare for the Death of Your Best Friend
The Emotional Effects of Losing a Pet
A pet can be a companion for an individual and serve as a source of unconditional love. The emotional effects of losing a pet can be devastating and lead to depression, anger, and even withdrawal from social interactions.
A study done by the University of British Columbia in America found that people who have lost pets are at risk for mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. Some people may also experience feelings of guilt or regret when they lose their pet.
Preparing Yourself for the Loss
The loss of a loved pet is never easy. It can be even more difficult when you have to prepare for the loss. Preparation can be done in many ways, some of which are:
1) Gather all of the information that you need to know about euthanasia, care at home and cremation.
2) Ensure that you have a list of all the questions you want to ask your vet or pet doula.
3) Make sure that you have all your documents and insurance details if applicable.
4) Speak to friends that understand and arrange some support if you feel that you might need it.
Coping with Pet Loss and Moving Forward
It is natural to go through a grieving process when you lose a loved one. This process can be long and difficult. It is important to take the time to grieve and allow yourself to heal. There are many ways that people cope with loss, below are some of them:
– Talking about their feelings
– Expressing their feelings through artistic means such as writing or painting
– Keeping a journal of their thoughts
– Refocusing on other things in life such as hobbies, family, or friends
Thoughts on Memorializing Pets Passed on (best practices in remembrance)
A pet is a member of the family. It is not uncommon for people to have a difficult time saying goodbye to their furry friend. Whether they are mourning the loss of their pet or if they are celebrating the life of their pet, it is important to memorialize them in a way that will keep them close in memory.
Here are some remembrance ideas:
– Create a memorial video
– Put together a scrapbook
– Write letters and send them out to friends and family
Author – Kelly O’Brian
Thank you to Kelly for her post on Coping with Pet Loss, I really like the remembrance ideas especially the scrapbook. It’s a great way to give yourself the space to grieve when you need to and to be able to cherish all the beautiful memories.
For more ideas you can try here.
For more help and advice about pet loss you can sign up for our free 12 Step Pet Bereavement Guide