Give yourself permission to grieve. Denying these natural emotions can elevate stress and physical fatigue.
Seek out friends and family members who share your compassion for animals. Focus more on their good intentions and not necessarily their words. Animal Friends is a great resource in this way.
Dismiss and ignore comments from those who may trivialize your loss. They may never have had a pet or recognized the closeness of your friendship with your pet.
Recognize that your departed pet is one-of-a-kind who can never be replaced. When you are ready to adopt a new pet, embrace that new pet for her uniqueness and avoid comparing her to your previous pet.
Treat yourself well. Eat healthy meals and get ample sleep. This is often ignored.
Fight through sad or blue moods by exercising. Physical activity raises endorphins and other feel-good hormones in your body. Take longer walks or bike rides, for example, in scenic areas.
Avoid declarations such as, “I will never get another pet.” These statements hinder your healing process.
Ritualize your pet’s death through a ceremony or memorial service. The greatest way to honor the memory of a pet is to learn how to become a better person for having them in your life. Please call Animal Friends about our Pet Remembrance services at 412.847.7031.
Spend time recalling happy, silly, fond memories you shared with your pet. Consider writing a letter or poem to and from your departed pet. Getting words down on paper can sometimes help the grieving process.
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Audra O.
“They were so helpful in the adoption process and made sure I knew all the details of the dog I adopted!”
Sydney Y.
“Animal Friends is the most sophisticated place to adopt a new pet. If ever I plan to expand my furry family, I will go to Animal Friends to find him.”
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“ Absolutely wonderful place. We frequently return for classes and grooming!”
Thomas B.
“We got our baby girl Maya there over a year ago and had a wonderful experience!!! They were friendly and helped us adopt our fun, vocal, sassy beautiful girl as a member of our family.”
Leah C.
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Cody M.
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