Losing your pet? May experience anticipatory grief

For those who are unlucky enough not to have a furry loved one in their lives, they don’t fully understand how important these furry friends really are. They may say things like “but it was just a dog / cat”. As an animal lover, you know that these furry animals are more than just an animal and a pet; they are a member of the family. Just like when you find out that a family member is dying, the same thing happens with your furry friend, you are absolutely devastated to hear the terrible news that they have a limited amount of time to live. This doesn’t really help you in your time of need when you find that you now have to say goodbye.

Hearing those words can make you fly like a roller coaster, you can experience so many different emotions from one minute to the next. From anger, sadness, regret, and eventually acceptance. Acceptance doesn’t mean that you forget them, it just means that you accept that this is where the next step in your life’s journey lies.

We are all different when it comes to grief and loss, but in one way or another we all continue to feel the terrible pain of loss. In fact, anticipatory grief can even be worse than when death occurs, because you have to see how the process occurs almost with slow emotion. You are often reading all about the information of what is to come. You are learning all about euthanasia. You are managing your pet up and down while trying to be strong for them. You’ll be looking for the signs that the time has officially come when you need to send your loved one into their eternal peace of grief.

These are real emotions that you are feeling and should be taken very seriously. You should talk about it as you would any other very distressing moment in your life. You can discuss it with a trusted friend or professional counselor. There’s even bereavement or pet loss counseling that you can access. You should also consider joining a pet loss support group. This can be very helpful for those grieving early and after they pass away. You can also find great comfort in finding a way to celebrate your pet’s life through a dog wish list or doing great things to make the most of your time together. It is also helpful to speak with your vet to understand everything that will happen. They will answer any questions so you know what to expect. This is incredibly helpful because part of the grieving process that can be more difficult is not knowing what is going to happen next. This can also bring contemplation of the cause and questions about life, death, and the afterlife, which can also be helpful during this coping process.

Grieving a pet is a very real matter that can be a difficult event to bear. When you walk with a sick pet, you will have to deal with a lot of very strong emotions. These little animals are much more than furry animals that are scattered throughout your house. They hug you when you are sad. They are there to listen to you when the going gets tough. They are members of your family and your best friends and nothing can be more painful than having to say goodbye to them.