Pet Loss and Bereavement

Anyone who is an animal lover and has lost a beloved pet knows the profound grief that can follow. I decided to do this blog post because I recently lost an African Gray parrot who had been my daily companion for 34 years.

People who not like animals cannot understand the depth of grief that those of us who do will experience. One often hears insensitive comments like, "It's only a dog," or "It's only a ...," or "You can always just get another one."

The grief that can result from this loss can be particularly felt at this time of pandemic, when the only company some may have for weeks or months is their dog, cat, bird or other pet.

This loss is particularly severe for seniors who live alone; it may result in deep depression and a loss of the will to live.

Psychologists recognize that some people may actually need grief counselling after this loss and that certain rituals - like a burial with friends and family and websites that have pet memorials with pictures and memories - do help people cope and heal.

Companion animals love unconditionally, they do not care what gender you are, nor your race, religion, socioeconomic level, sexual/affectional orientation, how much you weigh nor what you look like. Below are several websites that will help you cope with these losses as well as materials available from the Mercer County Library system.

While doing this research, I found a quote which was very moving:

- by Gary C., Ewing Branch

Comments

  1. MariamneMay 11, 2020 at 2:46 PM

    Thanks for your post. You're preaching to the choir with me, I understand your sentiment perfectly. People who aren't pet people and can't even empathize with us - I don't know, I just shake my head. To not see that furry (or feathered or what have you) face in the morning, wanting to eat or play or go for a walk, is a heartbreak.

    Because not enough people spay or neuter, there are way more cats and dogs out there than have homes. Unfortunately, it's too true that "you can always get another one;" per the ASPCA, the shelters euthanize over a million of them every year. Plus, there are the strays who never know comfort or love, just misery and a life cut short by cars or cruelty or starvation.

    Very sorry for your loss.

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