Here's How You Can Cope With The Death Of Your Beloved Pup

The loss of a pet is extremely upsetting to families. Although it can be difficult for people who aren’t pet parents to understand, losing a fur ball is like losing a member of your family.

The love that you give and receive from a pup is unparalleled, and it is normal to feel grief from their passing. Here are some tips to help cope when a pet goes on to the Rainbow Bridge. First, it’s important to understand that you are not alone. It is also vital that you allow yourself to go through the grieving process, which can briefly be described in four stages: denial, anger, sadness, and acceptance.

As you pass through these stages, you can jot down your thoughts or feelings in written form. There’s also plenty of support available, and not just from friends and family. Pet-bereavement counseling and groups and pet-loss support hotlines are available, as well as material such as books, videos, and articles. Do not hesitate to reach out to any of these sources, or ask someone you trust to lend an ear or a shoulder.

You can also create a memorial for your pup to help honor their life. If there is a child affected by the loss, remember that this could be the first experience they’ve had with death. They might blame themselves or others for what has happened and experience many confusing emotions. Don’t be afraid to tell them what has happened honestly (but gently), and express your own grief to them. This can help them realize that their own emotions are okay.

Senior pet owners may also find this loss very difficult, especially if they live alone. It can trigger memories of other loved ones lost and bring feelings of emptiness and mortality. Even worse, it can be difficult to adopt or take in another pet due to age and financial constraints. As such, senior pup parents need to take the aforementioned steps to cope with their loss as soon as possible. Other pets in the family may experience grief from a pup’s loss as well. They may show signs of emotional distress and refuse to eat or drink.

To help them cope, give them plenty of love and care, and try to keep a steady routine to get them back into the swing of things. Lastly, if you’d like to get a new pet, wait until the time is right. Each pup is different and unique, so a new one will not be able to replace the one you lost. Getting a new fur ball too soon is unhealthy and unfair for all parties. Give yourself time to grieve and keep in touch with your feelings – you’ll know when the time is right. A local shelter or rescue might just have the perfect pup to be your new best friend. Do give this a like and share if you found it helpful.

Feature Image Source: Pixabay