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Dealing with grief when a pet dies

When a pet dies, it can be an incredibly emotional and heartbreaking experience for its family. However, not everyone may understand or appreciate the depth of that grief.  When I lost my best friend after 20 years, people who have never had a close bond with a pet struggled to understand the emotional connection that developed between me and my toy poodle. Without experiencing that bond themselves, I don’t think they can realize how much a pet can mean to someone.  Even among my fellow pet owners, the level of attachment varied.  Some see their pets as part of the family, while others view them as companions or animals. This difference in perspective can greatly affect how they could support me in my grief and perceive the loss.

In some cultures, pets are not given the same emotional significance as in others. People from different cultural backgrounds might not understand why someone would grieve deeply for a pet. Society often prioritizes human relationships over those with animals. As a result, the grief over a pet’s death may not be taken as seriously as the loss of a human loved one.

Some people might not recognize that pets can offer companionship, unconditional love, and emotional support. For many, a dog is not just a pet but a best friend, confidant, or even a source of emotional stability. My pets play a crucial role in my mental well-being. Losing my dog was like losing a two-decade long, source of comfort and support.

Well-meaning individuals might attempt to comfort you by saying things like “It was just a dog” or “You can get another one,” not realizing that these statements seemed like they were dismissing my grief.  People also expected me to move on quicker after losing a dog, then losing a human friend or relative.  It became very clear which of my friends could support me or understand me during my mourning.

I chose to seek support from like-minded people and connect with others who have experienced pet loss as they provided the much-needed empathy and understanding.  There is not a day that goes by, over a year later, where I don’t see her shadow waiting inside the door or hear the click of her nails across the hardwood when I open a package of cheese.  No matter how unbearable the loss when a dog dies the lessons they teach you is to repair your heart, just enough, to keep on learning unconditional love.

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