Pet Loss
Thursday, August 7th, 2008Chances are, those of you who own/have owned a pet know how difficult it is cope with the loss of a pet. Pets become intricately woven into our lives and when they pass on, it can be extremely challenging to deal with. Sometimes dealing with the death of a beloved pet can be just as difficult as the loss of a friend or a family member. When children are involved, it can make the situation even more complicated.
Our pets offer us unconditional love, they are always there for us, they know when we’re not feeling well or sad and need a little extra attention. They wait by the door until we get back from work or running errands, they are funny, goofy, and cuddly all at the same time. Often, we’ve raised our pets since they were only a few weeks old and with the exception of an occasional vacation, we are never separated from them.
The feeling of intense grief after a pet dies is normal. It is important to realize that we are not alone in our sadness. Talk to your family members and friends who have been through it before. There are also numerous support groups around the country to help people cope with pet loss. There are also chat rooms and internet sites that focus exclusively on the subject.
Please share your experiences with pet loss, and how to cope on this blog. It will help others going through the same situation.
These are some sites that I visited after the loss of my beloved dachshund, Ethel Doris.
Coping With Grief: Sympathy & Grief For Lost Pets
http://sympathysite.com/2008/06/25/pet-loss-coping-with-grief/
Saying Goodbye
http://www.bellaonline.com/subjects/565.asp
Pet Loss
http://www.imom.org/loss