Best Life Therapy Blogs - Grief, Anxiety, Stress & More
- posted: Feb. 01, 2025
The sadness we experience after a pet dies can be so intense. Our pets are not just family. They are companions who love us unconditionally, who are excited to see us when we get home and are more than happy to sit and cuddle next to you. A home feels incredibly empty when a pet dies. Like children, they are the first thing we think of when we wake up. Often times that is because they are whining, barking or mewing to ensure their needs are met but oh, how we miss that after they are gone. My dog of 12 years, Mollie, died and we were faced with the difficult decision of having to "put her to sleep." The vet said here was nothing else, they could do. I was more than willing to deal with whatever needed done just so we could keep her alive but the veterinarian said that was not an option. It was too late and time to say goodbye even if I did not agree with it. I cried as though I lost my best friend afterwards. For 12 years, I took care of her, bathed her, groomed her, snuggled with her and she helped me get through some very difficult times. No matter how hard life got, she was there for me. She was there to comfort me and always helped me feel better. It was as though I lost a coping skill that I knew I could never get back.
I did everything I could after that to feel better. I read "The Rainbow Bridge, Healing Your Heart and Finding Peace After Pet Loss" by Elena Flores. I also read "I'm Still Here...a dog's purpose forever" by Cathryn Michon. I bought a candle that says "When Tomorrow Starts Without Me, Don't Think We're Far Apart, For Every time You Think of Me, I'm Right Here in Your Heart." I even found an online pet loss support group. I dedicated some time each day to look at pictures and watch videos of her while sometimes laughing, smiling and other times I just let the tears run down my face feeling all of my feelings. The good and the bad.
It is okay to feel sad. It's okay to feel the pain and the loneliness that happens when we loss a pet to death. The story about the rainbow bridge can bring comfort when we imagine our pet waiting for us. Focusing on the memories rather than the pain that we experienced when we had to say goodbye is important. Coming home to an empty house was hard and still is sometimes. It's been just over 2 months and I will still shed an occasional tear. The love I felt for her was so strong. I try to remember that in time, I might be ready for another pet. Focusing on the good life you provided for your pet and on how much love you gave to them can help ease the pain.
The loss of a pet in our society is not acknowledged as much as it should be. Our feelings are often times not validated, and people may judge the level of our grief telling us things like we need to "get it together, it was just a pet." When your grieving doesn't fit in with the larger societies view of what we should feel, it is known as disenfranchised grief. Any pet owner knows how important our animals are to us. It is okay to grieve. WE GRIEVE BECAUSE WE LOVE! The lack of support we feel during this type of grief can prolong the pain. Acknowledge your pain, consider a grief ritual such as lighting a candle, journaling, make a scrapbook with photos of your pet and reach out to those who might understand. Grief from the loss of a pet can last 6 to 12 months and sometimes even longer. If you need additional support, reach out to Best Life Therapy. We are here to support you!
- posted: Feb. 01, 2025
The sadness we experience after a pet dies can be so intense. Our pets are not just family. They are companions who love us unconditionally, who are excited to see us when we get home and are more than happy to sit and cuddle next to you. A home feels incredibly empty when a pet dies. Like children, they are the first thing we think of when we wake up. Often times that is because they are whining, barking or mewing to ensure their needs are met but oh, how we miss that after they are gone. My dog of 12 years, Mollie, died and we were faced with the difficult decision of having to "put her to sleep." The vet said here was nothing else, they could do. I was more than willing to deal with whatever needed done just so we could keep her alive but the veterinarian said that was not an option. It was too late and time to say goodbye even if I did not agree with it. I cried as though I lost my best friend afterwards. For 12 years, I took care of her, bathed her, groomed her, snuggled with her and she helped me get through some very difficult times. No matter how hard life got, she was there for me. She was there to comfort me and always helped me feel better. It was as though I lost a coping skill that I knew I could never get back.
I did everything I could after that to feel better. I read "The Rainbow Bridge, Healing Your Heart and Finding Peace After Pet Loss" by Elena Flores. I also read "I'm Still Here...a dog's purpose forever" by Cathryn Michon. I bought a candle that says "When Tomorrow Starts Without Me, Don't Think We're Far Apart, For Every time You Think of Me, I'm Right Here in Your Heart." I even found an online pet loss support group. I dedicated some time each day to look at pictures and watch videos of her while sometimes laughing, smiling and other times I just let the tears run down my face feeling all of my feelings. The good and the bad.
It is okay to feel sad. It's okay to feel the pain and the loneliness that happens when we loss a pet to death. The story about the rainbow bridge can bring comfort when we imagine our pet waiting for us. Focusing on the memories rather than the pain that we experienced when we had to say goodbye is important. Coming home to an empty house was hard and still is sometimes. It's been just over 2 months and I will still shed an occasional tear. The love I felt for her was so strong. I try to remember that in time, I might be ready for another pet. Focusing on the good life you provided for your pet and on how much love you gave to them can help ease the pain.
The loss of a pet in our society is not acknowledged as much as it should be. Our feelings are often times not validated, and people may judge the level of our grief telling us things like we need to "get it together, it was just a pet." When your grieving doesn't fit in with the larger societies view of what we should feel, it is known as disenfranchised grief. Any pet owner knows how important our animals are to us. It is okay to grieve. WE GRIEVE BECAUSE WE LOVE! The lack of support we feel during this type of grief can prolong the pain. Acknowledge your pain, consider a grief ritual such as lighting a candle, journaling, make a scrapbook with photos of your pet and reach out to those who might understand. Grief from the loss of a pet can last 6 to 12 months and sometimes even longer. If you need additional support, reach out to Best Life Therapy. We are here to support you!
We Specialize in Anxiety, Depression, Grief and Trauma
At Best Life Therapy, we provide compassionate counseling to support your mental health journey. Our experienced therapists are here to help you navigate life's challenges and promote personal growth.
We hope you enjoy reading our blogs!
Sign up below to subscribe To our blogs. These are free And You Will Have Instant Access to Them.
You will have instant access as soon as they are published! We promise not to overload your inbox.
- Photo taken at Flushing County Park, Michigan