Tips To Help Cope With Pet Loss
Some tips to get you through…..
Obtain a copy of "The Loss of a Pet" written by Dr.Sife PHD, taking comfort in the knowledge that the immense grief that you are feeling is supported , in the written word, without judgement.
If you live alone go and visit people that are close to you, who understand your pain, and offer comfort or invite close friends over. This is not only to support you in the initial stages but provides a means of sharing your grief and so be comforted.
Not all people are loving pet owners and do not understand the full extent of grief surrounding pet loss and how it impacts a pet owners life. How much support is being given in the workplace? If you are not coping have a chat to your HR department or immediate boss about your loss and any concerns. They may in the initial stages be able to allow you to work from home, get additional support through HR with counseling, or just be able to work part time until you feel you can face the world. It’s important for support to come from all different areas of our lives to help us through the shock and numbing stage of grief.
Change your routine so identify areas that are potentially making you feel very vulnerable and ones you are having trouble coping with. If you used to walk the dog at 7am, instead get up at 6.30, have a walk, then come home and have breakfast. Making this the new routine until the sting of your loss subsides and you can manage better.
Write a bit of a memory list, positive thoughts and memories that are special to you. Maybe a beautiful coffee table book to be added to and continually updated. You can refer to it at any time and can also share with others. A celebration of your pets life with a positive skew focussing on the good times not the bad.
Sometimes the reminders of our grief need to be addressed so removing the pet’s toys and other things is wise at this time. This can be one of the hardest things to do and it is not so that they are forgotten it's just that reminders can impair healing.These can be either given away or disposed of however you deem fit and if this is too painful and confronting at this time then I would recommend that they are placed in a box and dealt with when things are not so raw. Instead of relying on these things to remind you of your pet, look inside your heart and draw on the memories and immense love that you have forevermore in your heart.
Explore having an area as a tribute to your pet. If not already, have a little space on the mantel piece or similar where there is a picture of your beloved pet. Choose a special day of the week when you can sit and reflect your loss. By keeping it to one day it allows for healing on the other days, if it was lit every day then it could contribute to delay in healing by recognising it every day and not moving forward.
If you live alone go and visit people that are close to you, who understand your pain, and offer comfort or invite close friends over. This is not only to support you in the initial stages but provides a means of sharing your grief and so be comforted.
Not all people are loving pet owners and do not understand the full extent of grief surrounding pet loss and how it impacts a pet owners life. How much support is being given in the workplace? If you are not coping have a chat to your HR department or immediate boss about your loss and any concerns. They may in the initial stages be able to allow you to work from home, get additional support through HR with counseling, or just be able to work part time until you feel you can face the world. It’s important for support to come from all different areas of our lives to help us through the shock and numbing stage of grief.
Change your routine so identify areas that are potentially making you feel very vulnerable and ones you are having trouble coping with. If you used to walk the dog at 7am, instead get up at 6.30, have a walk, then come home and have breakfast. Making this the new routine until the sting of your loss subsides and you can manage better.
Write a bit of a memory list, positive thoughts and memories that are special to you. Maybe a beautiful coffee table book to be added to and continually updated. You can refer to it at any time and can also share with others. A celebration of your pets life with a positive skew focussing on the good times not the bad.
Sometimes the reminders of our grief need to be addressed so removing the pet’s toys and other things is wise at this time. This can be one of the hardest things to do and it is not so that they are forgotten it's just that reminders can impair healing.These can be either given away or disposed of however you deem fit and if this is too painful and confronting at this time then I would recommend that they are placed in a box and dealt with when things are not so raw. Instead of relying on these things to remind you of your pet, look inside your heart and draw on the memories and immense love that you have forevermore in your heart.
Explore having an area as a tribute to your pet. If not already, have a little space on the mantel piece or similar where there is a picture of your beloved pet. Choose a special day of the week when you can sit and reflect your loss. By keeping it to one day it allows for healing on the other days, if it was lit every day then it could contribute to delay in healing by recognising it every day and not moving forward.