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An emotionally difficult part of sharing our lives with our pets is the fact that they don’t live as long as we do. When a pet dies, the people who love them go through the same grieving process as if they had lost a human loved one. Grief is complicated at the best of times; however, for a pet owner there is often no outlet or ritual for working it through.
The bond between people and pets reaches into every aspect of our lives. Time spent with pets is often greater than the time spent with other family members. During the years you spent with your pet (even if they were few), became a significant and constant part of your life, so don't be surprised if you feel devastated by the loss of such a relationship.
People who don't understand the pet/owner bond may not understand your pain. All that matters, however, is how you feel. Your grief is valid, and may be extremely painful. The most important step you can take is to be honest about your feelings. Only by examining and coming to terms with your feelings can you begin to work through them. You have a right to feel pain and grief. Someone you loved has died. Locking away grief does not make it go away.
Explaining the death of a pet to children
When a pet dies, it's common for people to feel as though they've lost a member of the family. For children, this is often their first encounter with death. In an attempt to soften the blow, parents sometimes explain the death of a pet in vague ways or skirt the topic altogether. But experts say this just makes things worse by leaving children anxious and mystified.
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Listed below are some helpful resources:
Pet Loss Program, Pet Vet Hospitals, Toronto
http://valuewebdesigners.com/pet_loss_program.htm
Halton/Peel Pet Loss Support Group
http://www.mississaugapets.com/petloss.html
Canadian Centre for Pet Loss Bereavement
http://www.petlosssupport.ca
Ontario Veterinary College Pet Loss Support
(519) 824-4120 ext. 53694
Ever Life Memorials
http://www.everlifememorials.com/v/pet-loss.htm
Not the least hard thing to bear
When they go away from us,
These quiet friends,
Is that they carry away with them
So many years of our own lives
John Galworthy
