Pet Loss & Depression – 5 Ways to Help Ease Your Pain
by Judy Wright on August 18th, 2009
1 Comment
Are you lonely, sad and depressed from the death or loss of your pet? These feelings of pain and anxiety are perfectly normal, but you can find peace again. Do you view your pet as a member of your family, your closest friend, and constant companion?
If you or someone you care about has pets, there will be a tremendous sense of loss when that pet dies, runs away or has to be euthanized. Each day with our pet is special and brings joy to both the owner and the owned (sometimes it is hard to determine who owns who, do you agree?
5 Ways to Help Ease Your Pain
There is never just “one way” to heal from a traumatic blow to your life, but here are some suggestions that have worked for me and others I have counseled in grief workshops. I know this because not only have I had a number of deaths of family members and beloved pets, but have volunteered with Hospice and done much research in the grieving process.
- Don’t let others tell you how you should feel or minimize your feelings to make others more comfortable.
- Write about your feelings, either in a journal or a poem.
- Prepare a memorial and tribute for your friend, perhaps plant a flower or tree in memory of your bereaved.
- Find a support group in your area, or on-line
- Give yourself time. You have received a deep blow to your heart and need some time to heal.
Do You Feel Like You Just Lost Your Closest and Most Loyal Friend
Your pain over the loss of your pet is very real, but it is my hope that these suggestions will help ease your heart ache.
I know that pets are mare than just animals..They are our closest friends, constant companions and integral parts of our family. They model unconditional love and teach us to be better people for having known them
Ask For Help If You Need It To Heal
If you think the pain, depression and sadness that you are experiencing are simply obstacles that you must suffer through, you are mistaken. You do not have to do this by yourself. There are others who understand your pain.
Let’s be honest, nobody wants to spend their time grieving, sad and alone. But we all must go through it at some point during our life. The thing is, there ARE ways to go through the grief process that help us heal and also allow us to honor and preserve the memory of those we lost while also contributing to our own strength and well-being.
If you are interested in gaining more support from others who have experienced what you have, please go to http://www.deathofmypet.com for a wonderful collection of stories, poems, photos and suggestions on dealing with the loss of a pet.
My heart goes out to you,
Judy H. Wright aka Auntie Artichoke
Categories: balance in life, caregiving, final gifts, funeral arrangements, grief and loss, grieving loss of a pet
sandra742
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog.
Cheers! Sandra. R.