Instructions
Give yourself permission to grieve. Acknowledge that your pet was an important part of your life and that you feel a sense of loss at his death. Allow yourself to cry if that is what you feel like doing.
Seek out grief counseling for the loss of a pet or join a support group. Many animal shelters and humane societies offer support groups or counseling. Your veterinarian's office will also likely have a list of groups, counselors or pet loss hotlines.
Talk about your pet and your feelings of loss with those who are supportive of you. Some people will not understand your feelings of loss, and you may want to avoid them for a period of time. Other people who are close to their pets or have lost one themselves will be supportive and willing to listen to you talk about your pet and your feelings.
Create a memorial for your pet. You may choose to bury your pet in a pet cemetery where you can visit her grave and leave flowers or other meaningful items. Even if you choose not to bury your pet, you can still create a memorial space in your backyard or donate a tree or bench to a local park in your pet's memory.
Use other symbolic means of closure. Create a memory box of photos or items related to your pet. Light a candle or write about your pet in a special journal.
Get another pet when the time is right. You should not try to replace your pet, and you should not rush into getting another pet. When the pain of losing your pet becomes more bearable, you can consider getting a new pet, perhaps adopting one from a local shelter.
How to Cope With the Loss of a Pet
Many people consider their pets members of the family. A pet's death can be a difficult experience for caregivers, and this is only increased by the fact that traditionally, people were expected not to grieve at a pet's death. Coping with the loss of a pet begins with the understanding that it's okay to grieve.