Coping With The Loss of Your Pet
My cat, Mr. Tuffs, recently passed away. We lived together for 15 years and I am heartbroken. I am so sad I can hardly work, am I just being silly?
Sandra San Diego, California
Sandra, you have my sincere condolences.
You are not being silly at all; the loss of a companion or friend is difficult, at best.
There are numerous ways to help you cope with the process.
The Human Society of the United States has some general tips for assistance:
"While grief is a personal experience, you need not face loss alone. Many forms of support are available, including pet bereavement counseling services, pet-loss support hotlines, local or online Internet bereavement groups, books, videos, and magazine articles. Here are a few suggestions to help you cope:
• Acknowledge your grief and give yourself permission to express it.
• Don't hesitate to reach out to others who can lend a sympathetic ear.
• Write about your feelings, either in a journal or a poem.
• Call your local humane society to see whether it offers a pet loss support group or can refer you to one. You may also want to ask your veterinarian or local animal shelter about available pet loss hotlines.
• Explore the Internet for pet loss support groups and coping information.
• Prepare a memorial for your pet."
You can read the rest of their suggestions here.
Just remember that you are not alone in any grieving process.
Lean on your friends and family.
We all must face the loss of a loved one at some time.
Knowing that, does not make it any easier.
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