Having a pet for, whether for many years or only a few, forges a bond with them that is unbreakable, and they become part of your family. Pets have a way to make us feel better, smile, and play even when you don't want to, and some even become your friends.
They offer companionship, emotional support, and love, especially for your kids. That is why the loss of a pet can hit the whole family hard and can be extremely difficult to recover from. You may have feelings of anger, guilt, shock, numbness, and sadness, that can seem debilitating.
However, there are some ways you can cope with death, including;
If you experience the loss of a pet suddenly, it can be hard to break the news to your family, especially your kids who likely haven’t known a family dynamic without him/her.
While you might want to protect your child from the pain and sadness by delaying the truth or maybe lying to spare their feelings, that may cause more unrest and anger. Look for a way to gently explain to them what happened and, be honest with your feelings and let them know that it hurts you too.
Pet bereavement comes with different emotions like guilt, pain, numbness, sadness, and anger. While it is important to remain strong for your children and other family members, ensure you also express your feelings.
You can write a journal about what you feel or talk to someone, and don’t be afraid to cry while doing it. Do not be afraid of your kids seeing you cry, but instead, let that be a chance for you to comfort each other.
Take as much time as you need to get over the loss of your pet. Grieving the loss of a pet can go a long way in helping you come to terms with the death and move on. However, do not be in a hurry to do so.
There are different ways of grieving the loss of a pet, and the grieving process is a personal one. It may happen in phases, and is usually different for everyone. Allow your children to grieve in their own way and timeframe.
If you plan an actual burial or some other type of ceremony for your pet’s final journey, it can help everyone come to terms with the loss and have closure. You can also have some of the pictures hang up around the house as a way of remembering the loss of a pet.
Ensure that everybody is involved in the ceremony, especially the kids. That allows them to understand what happened.
The sudden loss of a pet can take a heavy toll on you and your family, and it is important to seek support on how to deal with it. Consider joining pet bereavement support groups, where you will be around people who have been through the same thing.
Not only will they feel your pain, but they might share some advice and tips on how to heal from the loss. You can also talk to a therapist, especially if you are experiencing symptoms of depression or withdrawal.
If you had multiple pets, do not be so invested in grieving the lost one that you forget the other ones. While it may be hard to replace the spot the other pet held in your heart, spending time with your other pets can help you get over the loss.