What to do when A Pet Leaves You
Kristofer Trolle CC-BY-SA
Pets are family, and so goes the pet owner’s often-uttered refrain. The loss of one, which has been part of a family for a significant time, can constitute emotional trauma. Though trite for some, grief can profoundly affect a family’s members. What makes dealing with the loss of a pet a special challenge are the folks who trivialise it.
leisergu CC-BY-SA 2.0
Making the tough decision to euthanise your pet
Pet euthanasia is a difficult process and usually serves as a last resort, occurring only if the pet suffers from a terminal illness with no cure. There is a fear that putting the pet to sleep may be impulsive, so how does a pet owner know that doing so will help it more than harm it?
When faced with the possibility, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is the pet active at all? If it is, putting it to sleep may be hasty.
- Is the pet suffering immeasurably? If so, putting it to sleep will ease its pain.
- Is the pet's terminal illness debilitating, Or is death inevitable? If the illness prevents your pet from enjoying the little things in life, euthanising it may be wise.
- Take into account the feelings of the pet’s caregivers. Only euthanise if they decide to let it go.
Roger H. Goun CC-BY-SA 2.0
Coping with Pet Loss when others devalue it.
Not everyone has grown up with pets, and these people may trivialise your grief., “What’s the big deal? It’s only a dog,” they may say. The lack of empathy can be rather grating.
1. Don't let anyone tell you how you should feel
How you feel about a pet or anything else is personal, and no one should dictate your emotions. Allow yourself to grieve in your own time, and let go when ready.
2. Reach out to those who have pets
Talk to fellow pet owners who can empathise with what you are going
through.. While non-pet owners may not be able to grasp your sentiments.,
fellow pet owners may be better able to help you deal with the loss.
3. Have a funeral for your pet
Organise a funeral for your pet and ignore those who may think it is
inappropriate. Again, your relationship with your pet is personal, and you
should get to choose how to grieve.
4. Cherish the memories
Create a scrapbook or photo album in honour of your pet.. Creating a
legacy for your furkid allows you to celebrate its life and move on.
5.. Take care of yourself
Grief is stressful and may cause you to neglect your own needs. Have
sufficient exercise and eat well. Increasing the number of endorphins in
your bloodstream will boost your mood
.
Louis CC-AS-2.0
The loss of a pet may well be a child's first experience with death. processing it can be traumatic, especially if the child has come to depend on the pet for his needs. Children may blame their parents for the deaths of their pets, The management of the experience may determine whether the child develops positive or negative perspectives on the subject.
1. Let your child see you grieve.
Parents often teach children not to cry in front of others, possibly because it is a sign of weakness.. That said, part of the healing process involves grieving. Letting your child see you do so will tell them that mourning a pet Is all right as it was part of your family and expresses his love for it.
2. Let your child realise that death is a natural process.
Reassure your child that no one in the family was responsible for the pet's death. Teach him or her that death is part of life and something that everyone and every pet goes through
3. Let your child spend time with the pet.
Involve your child in the grieving process by allowing him to spend time with your pet. He will go away feeling that he has bonded with it in its final hours..
4. Get the child to create a memento in the pet’s honor.
Let your child create the souvenir that will serve to honor the pet’’s memory. The child will know that the pet has been well- remembered.
1. Involve your child in the pet’s memorial.
Get your child to be part of the pet’s memorial. This will allow him to grieve and feel he has said a proper goodbye.
Helping Seniors to cope with the Loss of a Pet
We have a tumulous relationship with death. As we grow older, we become more sentimental while dealing with the loss of beloved friends and loved ones. Suffice it to say, dealing with it is a challenging process. The angst is even more difficult to manage for seniors who have lived alone and depended on their pets for comfort, companionship and even physical needs.
Seniors who have lost their pets must practice self-care. It’s crucial that they spend time on the things that ease their stress or, better yet, give them a sense of purpose. The distraction will help them to take their minds off the loss.
Regular exercise is a must as well. It releases the happy chemical endorphins. Again, It is a form of stress relief.
How to Cope With Pet Loss
The death of a pet is never easy to deal with, and the grieving process mirrors that for our loved ones. We have to teach everyone to cope with it, albeit differently.
