Life After Losing A Pet

Losing your dog is one of the most heartbreaking experiences a pet owner can go through.

The bond we share with them is inexpressible. In a short time they become members of our family, giving us unconditional love and companionship. Life may feel empty without their presence.

The grieving process is natural, necessary, and looks different for everyone. There is no "right" way to grieve or timeline to follow. Be patient and compassionate with yourself as you process the loss.

Stages of Grief

How you cope is never linear, but it consists of these stages that you should be aware of:

Denial – Initially you may go through a sense of disbelief or numbness, struggling to accept the reality that your pet is gone.

Anger – As the reality sets in, you may feel angry at yourself, your vet, the circumstances surrounding your pet's death, or even at your pet for leaving you. This is natural.

Bargaining – You may find yourself wishing for more time, making deals or promises in hopes of undoing your loss, or questioning what you could have done differently.

Depression – Profound sadness, loneliness, and a sense of emptiness are common in this stage. You might lose interest in things you used to enjoy and find it hard to concentrate.

Acceptance – In this final stage, you come to terms with the loss and begin to adjust to the new reality without your pet. You'll never forget them but the pain becomes more bearable.

Coping Strategies

You’re never and can never be ready for such a loss. What you can do is give your pets a lovely, meaningful goodbye for closure and mental peace.

These are some healthy ways to cope and heal:

Grieve – Don't bottle up your emotions or feel ashamed for grieving deeply over your pet. Crying, journaling, talking to others: find outlets to process your pain in a way that feels right for you.

Seek Support – Lean on your support system of family and friends, join a pet loss support group, or speak to a counselor. It can be very comforting to have people who understand what you are going through.

Memorialize Your Pet – This is where you get the closure we talked about. Memorializing your pet can be therapeutic.

Some ideas are:

• hold a service, celebrate their memories
• create a dog memorial garden, plant a tree or flowers in your dog’s honor, and add a dog memorial stone in this space for a fitting tribute
• have a burial or spread their ashes in a special place
• frame their photos or make a scrapbook memorializing their adventures
• commission artwork or jewelry with their ashes or fur

Care for Yourself – Grief can take a physical and emotional toll. Take care of yourself again by sticking to a routine, eating well, working out, and doing things that used to make you happy. This will help you regain strength.

Consider Getting Another Pet

The love of a new pet may help some people get over the loss of an old one.

But don't rush into this decision until you've had time to grieve fully. You can honor your pet's memory and give another animal a loving home when you are ready to adopt.

Finding Meaning in the Loss

While the grief may never fully go away, most people reach a stage of making meaning from their loss. This means placing the experience into your life in a way that creates growth, connection, and purpose.

You may find hope and comfort again in volunteering at animal shelters. You can increase your participation in pet welfare causes or you can just find peace in your pet’s infectious quality of living in the moment and loving unconditionally.

Remember the beautiful life you gave your pet, and have faith that the love you have for them will never die.