How to Help My Boyfriend Cope with the Loss of His Dog

Losing a pet can be devastating. It may feel as if a member of the family has died. The main issues many people struggle with are anger, denial and loneliness. It might take a while for a person to recover from the loss. For some, it takes weeks or even years. The most important things to help a person through grief are communication and patience.

Instructions

    • 1

      Allow your boyfriend some time to grieve over the lost dog. Jumping in to help him right away could make things worse.

    • 2

      Talk to him and let him talk to you. He will need to vent his frustrations and feelings. Let him do most of the talking; he needs to be listened to. Give advice only when necessary.

    • 3

      Be available at all times to talk. He may need you in the middle of the night or the middle of the afternoon. If your boyfriend knows you are there whenever he need you, he will feel more at ease.

    • 4

      Make sure he is staying healthy. If he starts to skip meals or has trouble sleeping, encourage him to eat and rest. The death of a pet can cause us to forget about our own health as we are taken over by the grieving process.

    • 5

      Be patient with your boyfriend. It takes time to cope with the death of a beloved pet. Let him take his time to heal.