There’s no correct way to feel sorrow, but there are gentler ways to understanding pet loss grief. You can learn to carry your emotions in ways that enable you to mend.

Most of us share overwhelming love for our animals. So it’s normal to feel forsaken heartache and sorrow when a pet dies. While some people may not understand the depth of feeling you had for your pet, you should never feel guilty or ashamed. Instead, use these healthy ways to cope with the loss, comfort yourself, and begin the process of moving on.

For many people, a pet is not “just a dog” or “just a cat.” Pets are beloved members of the family. They are like our children and, when they die, you feel a significant loss. The level of grief can depend on the age of your pet, and the circumstances of their death. Generally, the more significant the loss, the more intense the grief you’ll feel.

Understanding pet loss grief can be complicated by the role the animal played in your life. If your pet was a working dog, then you’ll also be grieving the loss of a coworker. Once you cared for your pet through a protracted illness, you likely grew to love him even more. If you lived alone and the pet was your only companion, coming to terms with loss can be even harder. If you were unable to afford expensive veterinary treatment, you may even feel a profound sense of guilt. This can be really traumatic if you lost your pet because you didn’t have the extra cash to save its life.

Take a look at our Beyond The Rainbow Bridge Book in our shop. We feel certain that once you read this story it will help you to a better understanding of pet loss grief.