5 Ways To Cope With The Loss Of A Pet
For many people, owning an animal goes beyond simply having a pet. In fact, in America alone, about 67% of homes have pets. Most pet owners consider their little buddies as family members that add joy and comfort to their lives. But unfortunately, pets have a shorter natural lifespan than humans. This means that every pet owner has to deal with the dread of losing their lovable animal at some point - and this can be very devastating. So how does a pet owner deal with the loss of a pet? Here are a few helpful ways.
Give yourself enough time to grief
If there’s nothing wrong with loving your pet, there’s equally nothing wrong in grieving your loss. It is perfectly acceptable to mourn the loss of your furry family member. Do not be quick to ‘get over it’ or ‘move on’ if you do not feel ready. Bottling your emotions inside of you can cause some physical stress on your body. It is better to give yourself enough time to release every negative emotion within you.
Reach out to others who have also lost a pet
Only those who have gone through the same painful experience can empathize with you, as they understand your situation better. Besides, such people will be able to offer you essential tips on the best ways of coping with your loss and which methods worked well for them. You can also reach out to pet-loss hotlines and other resources for emotional as well as mental support.
Memorialize your pet
Sometimes all you need is to provide a form of commemoration of your pet to provide the closure you need. There are different ways of commemorating or creatively eulogizing your pet. These include options such as plagues, statues, urns for pets, creating a collage, a movie, a photo album, or even writing an obituary that focuses on the highlights of their lives. All these help create a legacy after their passing and celebrate the life they shared with you.
Take good care of yourself
Most importantly, you need to take care of yourself, as sadness has a way of draining people both physically and mentally. Ensure that you always eat well and healthily while giving your body and mind a lot of rest. Get at least eight hours of uninterrupted sleep and make attempts to pick your life up again. But if your grief seems to disrupt your daily life, do not hesitate to seek professional help.
Spend time with the other pets you have
If you are lucky enough to have other pets, this is not the time to make them feel abandoned while you grieve for your lost pet. It is essential to spend as much time with your other pets as you used to. Doing so may help you deal with your pain. In general, pets can be a great source of comfort during trying times. If you do not have other pets, you can still spend time with a friend’s pet or even visit a pet shelter
