Grieving For A Friend….When Help is Needed

 

 

Many people feel their pet is their friend or child or protector or companion, forming a deep and loving bond, and are overwhelmed by the intensity and duration of their grief when their pet dies. The death of a pet is sometimes accompanied by guilt, anger or a continual replay of their pet's final illness and it is not unusual for people to feel that if only they had done something differently, their pet may have lived longer. The decision to allow euthanasia for a dying pet may also cause emotional difficulties, even when there is no hope of recovery.

 

 

Grief is a normal part of loss regardless if the loved one is a person or a pet. There are many ways to work through the grief process. The loss of an animal, like the loss of a family member or friend, may cause physical and emotional changes that may last for weeks or months. You may wish to contact pet loss support groups, pet loss hotlines or local specialists who are knowledgeable about loss and receptive to helping people who have lost a beloved pet.