Instructions
Memorialize your pet in some special way. Rituals like burying a pet in a special location or choosing cremation both provide a sense of closure, while recognizing their significance in your life. Keep a pet’s ashes, or re-visit its grave site as a healthy way to keep the pet close while learning to let go.
Find a way to express your feelings. Everyone experiences pain and works through it in individual ways. Talking about your feelings with those who understand, especially others who have also lost a pet will make you realize you are not alone. Talk to your veterinarian to see if there is a support group in your area, or other similar resources.
Write in a journal, or start a blog, to work through feelings. This is especially important when talking may be too difficult, or you cannot find anyone to talk to. It is important to let go of negative emotions, and writing can be an alternative outlet for this.
Stay busy and become more involved in other things. Being distracted from your pain through involvement in other things can be healthy. Concentrate more on family, friends, work, or even start a new hobby. If you happen to be an artistic person, create something new. This can be a special project dedicated to your pet's memory, like a painting or drawing.
Stay active. This is different than just being busy, as your body needs to move around. Exercise releases endorphins which are the “feel good” chemicals in your brain. Simply going for walks, doing yoga, or any physical activity can be a great booster.
How to Work Through Grief After the Loss of a Pet
Anyone who has ever lost a pet knows that the pain is quite real. For many, pets are an important part of the family, and their death is just as meaningful as a human companion. Some people may not be as sympathetic to this type of loss, which can make grieving that much more difficult. The stages of grief are the same as with any other and can include: guilt, denial, anger and depression. Grieving pet owners need to find healthy ways to work through the loss, and to remember their departed companion.