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At Animal Friends, our staff and volunteers are dedicated pet people who understand your feelings and have experienced the highs and lows that come with loving an animal. Animal Friends offers several important resources for grieving pet owners.
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Support for Grieving Pet Owners Animal Friends' Pet Loss Support Group meets the fourth Wednesday of each month from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm, and provides a forum to talk with others who share your feelings. Please call 412.847.7031 in advance so we know how many visitors to expect. October 8 2010 Candlightlight Remembrance Services: January 14, 2010 July 8, 2010
Expert Advice: 10 coping tips to help you and your children recover from the death of a beloved pet Euthanasia: Common questions and answers about this difficult decision Understanding Grief: Information for adults, children and seniors Feelings Associated with Grief: Am I crazy? and other questions When Pets Grieve: Tips for helping your other pets mourn a human or animal companion Pet Loss Grief Coping Techniques: A downloadable manual with information adapted from Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University
Animal Friends thanks volunteer Siri Espy for writing the materials on this page. |
When a Pet Passes Away Pets provide us with incredible companionship and affection, but they leave us far too soon. Anytime we love, we open up our hearts and make ourselves vulnerable to the pain of loss. Sadly, experiencing and coping with the death of a beloved pet is a part of life that is inevitable but always difficult. A pet has a unique way of entering our hearts, and those who have not experienced it are not likely to understand. People who are puzzled, telling you “It’s just an animal” just don’t get it. They’ve missed out on the love and rewards you’ve been fortunate to enjoy. Seek out others whose perspective is like your own. The grief that comes from losing a pet is as real, and can be as powerful, as the loss of any family member. When you find yourself in mourning over a pet, allow yourself time to grieve, and realize that tears and sadness are normal. At certain times of the day, these feelings are likely to be more intense, such as entering an empty house or missing treat time or a bedtime cuddle. The death of a pet may also evoke many feelings, some unexpected. For some of us, any loss recalls memories of other losses in our lives, which magnifies our emotions. Dealing with a beloved sick or injured pet often forces us to make painful decisions, and the accompanying guilt can be overwhelming. Should I have done more? Was euthanasia the best option for my suffering pet? Could I have recognized the signs and symptoms of illness earlier? Give yourself the credit you deserve for doing the best you could with difficult options. Your pet, like other family members, was unique, and can never be replaced. The experiences you shared at that time in your life were special, and efforts to find another pet exactly like the one lost are certain to disappoint. When you’re ready to consider another pet, remind yourself that your new friend will also have special, endearing characteristics that can be overlooked if you insist on making comparisons. The time following the pet’s loss can be difficult for others in your household as well. Children may be confused or fearful, and need the opportunity to share feelings and learn about finality of death. Other animals in the household may also grieve, missing the companionship of an ever-present pal. Giving them a little extra attention will help soothe their experience of loss, and the affection they return will benefit you, as well. Don’t deny yourself the experience of loving an animal again. When experiencing grief, it’s easy to say, “never again,” but the healing power of time can again open your heart to the joy and companionship of a pet. Many visitors to Animal Friends share with us their stories of loss as they begin the process of searching for a new best friend, even shedding a few tears in the process. Often, the best way to acknowledge and give thanks for the life of a pet is to offer a second chance to another. As you get acquainted and gain one another’s trust, you’ll discover proof that life indeed goes on, and that it’s possible to love again. |
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Pet Adoption & Resource Center | 562 Camp Horne Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 | 412.847.7000 Come visit us! Monday - Friday 11am - 7pm | Saturday & Sunday 10 am - 5pm |
