Dog Information >>>Dog Articles >>> Grieving for your Pet
Dealing with the loss of a pet can be as difficult as dealing with the loss of a human for many pet owners. The grief that often follows the passing of a beloved pet is very real and sometimes very hard for the owner to deal with. They were considered part of your family and the emotions that follow can be very debilitating.
Professional counselors report that the most popular immediate reaction after the loss of a pet is a decision to never acquire another pet so they don't have to go through the pain all over again. A small percentage decide to adopt another pet immediately to help fill the emptiness they feel in their household. It is recommended not to rush into choosing the next pet - take time to think over what type of pet or dog would best fit your situation and household. Give yourself time to grieve and then make a logical, thought out choice.
Typical emotional reactions to the demise of our pets are very similar to the emotions we experience with losing human loved ones. When an household pet dies suddenly, an acute feeling of guilt may follow. Owners wonder if there is something they could have done to have changed the fate of the dog. Similar guilt reactions plague pet owners that have to make the tough choice of they put down a sick or elderly pet for obvious reasons. Although putting down a pet that is failing is the most humane thing to do, it is an extremely difficult decision to make. Part of this guilt is probably a factor of our upbringing where euthanasia for humans is a crime in most states. If we are brought up to believe it is wrong for us, taking the step in our pets lives is usually riddled with the feeling that we are doing something wrong. Since they cannot communicate to us that they are in pain, we must use our own judgment as well as the professional advice of our veterinarians in this decision. Getting beyond the guilt we lay upon ourselves is probably the largest obstacle we face when getting through the grieving process.
Constructing some type of memorial for the pet may help some to come to terms with their loss. Often family's will construct an area or have an engraved stone in a garden area helps with coming to terms with their grief. You can find pet memorial stones on the internet such as - Adirondack Pet Memorial.
Professional help is available for individuals dealing with the loss of a pet. These include professional counselors and support groups. Also sharing with friends who are pet owners and that you can identify with will help in the process.