I Can’t Get Over my Pet’s Death

If all you’re thinking right now is “I can’t get over my pet’s death”, you are not alone. The bond between a pet and its owner is incredibly strong.  The loss of a pet is significant and it can lead to a lot of sad moments in your life. It’s a very good idea to prepare a rainbow bridge, or a pet obituary, to appreciate and pay homage to your pet. The truth is that nothing will provide immediate relief when you deal with the loss of a pet. It takes time, and you need to find different ways to cope with the process. Here are some of the things you can do!

Write A Pet Obituary

The role of a pet obituary is to announce the passing of your pet and to celebrate them.  Yet, creating this content can be a catharsis.  It can help you express your feelings and appreciation towards the pet that has passed away. You most like have that feeling “I can’t get over my pet’s death”, we all have it when it comes to losing a pet. That’s why writing a pet obituary is a great idea. It’s a wonderful way to create a memorial for your pet, an online post where you share all your ideas and feelings.  We have suggestions for writing a pet obituary at this link.  A good tip is to get everything out that you feel.  It may seem like you are over-sharing or providing too much information.  You can always edit.  Good yourself a chance to put your feelings down.  Keep in mind that others have been through the same.  They will appreciate your honesty and vulnerability. A pet obituary is useful since it gives you a way to express yourself while also bringing in a sense of healing.

Create A Pet Memorial

When you struggle with “I can’t get over my pet’s death”, you are battling grief and closure.  Another good idea is to prepare a physical pet memorial. This is one of the best methods you can use to remember your pet.  Of course, we often use a block and stone monument to memorialize the departed. Other options include a photo book, keepsake, plaque, plant a tree, or structure.  These memorials can be anywhere.  It may seem like the only place to keep them is at your home.  Think of other places that brought you joy.  A dog park, a vacation spot, a pet daycare, perhaps a pet shelter.  Are there other spots that were important to you both?  The idea is to have a place or an item that serves as a celebration of your pet’s life. 

Talk With Your Friends And Family

Socialization is crucial when you deal with the loss of a pet. You lost a family member that was very dear to you, so the last thing you want is to stay inside and mourn. You want to pay respect and celebrate their life. One way to do that is by talking about them with your friends and family. Go out, socialize, and spread the word about the love and appreciation you have for your pet. That can help you feel better and focus on better ways to deal with the issue. 

Understand That Everyone Copes With Pet Loss Differently

You should always remember that every person copes differently and on different timelines.  Focus on establishing your own mourning process. However, focus on healing and understanding that these things are part of life. Don’t rush this or feel pressure do things that others suggest for you.  This was yours and your family’s loss and no one else’s.  That’s why a pet memorial or obituary can help. You get a chance to share the great parts of their life.  You get a chance to show how much your pet meant to you.

Be Kind To Yourself

When we deal with the loss of a pet, sometimes we blame ourselves for the things that happened. The truth is that you probably had nothing to do with it. We all know that our animal friends don’t live as long as humans.  If you had to make the unfortunate decision to put them down it was done from a place of caring.  Their quality of life was declining and you didn’t want to see them suffer.  Expensive surgeries don’t always solve what is wrong. Sometimes our efforts to make things better can make their suffering worse.

If anything, blaming yourself will lead to even more grief. Instead, you want to be patient and honor your pet through the various methods you can find in this article. Comfort yourself with all the happy memories that you had with your pet. As time goes by, raw feelings will soften. 

Find New Routines

A great way to deal with the loss of a pet, or dealing with grief in general, is to find new routines. Try out new things and get out of your house as much as you can. Finding new ways to stay occupied will help push grief away. As mentioned earlier, time does heal.  You have to find the right methods to help ease the pressure and grief.  Try things like enjoying a new hobby, exercising, taking a class, taking a trip, or trying a new route to work.  Anything to get you thinking about good things to come in the future.   The past has good memories.  The future will as well.  All you have to do is to give them a try. 

Bring Other Animals Into Your Life

At some point, you’ll consider getting another pet.  Adding new animals to your family can be a way to cope with the loss of your previous pet. However, give yourself time to make sure you are ready.  There is no reason to rush.

Let’s face it, your pet would most likely want you to have other pets anyway!  Bringing new animals into your life can be incredibly rewarding.  It will provide you with a way to push grief aside.

You’re not forgetting your deceased pet. You are creating new memories while dealing with grief the right way.   Your time with your pet made you a better pet owner.  When the time is right consider sharing that with someone new.

Try To Write Down Your Feelings

Aside from a pet obituary which is excellent for the loss of a pet, you can also use a scrapbook or a journal. Here you can write your thoughts and any feelings you have.   Undoubtedly, there is a great deal of sadness.  There is also a lot of happiness and joy.  Write it all down.  Get those thoughts and feelings out.  One technique that may be helpful is to time-box your efforts and set a target.  For example, set a timer for 30 minutes and set a goal of 750 words.  Write down everything in your mind related to your pet.  The thoughts don’t have to be cohesive or form a story.  If illness or health issues were an issue towards the end of their life, write about that.  Write about your experiences with the vet.  Write about things you would’ve done differently.  Use this time to get it all out.  When done go back and pick out things that you want to share.  This can be the basis for your pet obituary.  

It might not seem like a whole lot, but simple things like this tend to work.  It’s important to try and express yourself, talk about the situation, and try to move on. It will not be an easy thing to achieve, but it’s definitely going to be worth it in the long run. 

Hold A Ceremony For Your Pet

This can be a great way to bring closure.  We have funeral services for our human loved ones for the same reason.  This is great if you have friends and family members that loved your pet. However, there is no reason why you can’t be the only one to attend.  Prepare a ceremony just as you would for a human.  Determine what to wear, what to say, how it will look.  Planning the event offers a feeling of control.   You may have been very much out of control in their final days as you waited.  Take control back by choosing how to say ‘until next time.’

Conclusion

If you find yourself  thinking “I’m struggling to get over my pet’s death”, think about taking these steps:

• Write a Pet Obituary
• Create a Pet Memorial
• Talk with Friends and Family
• Understand that Everyone Copes Differently
• Be Kind to Yourself
• Create New Routines
• Bring Other Animals Into Your Life
• Write About Your Feelings
• Hold a Ceremony

Grief is expected in a time like this.  It means that you cared and valued your time together.  As your pet crosses A Rainbow Bridge, take the time to honor them.  Celebrate and share their life.  You’ll meet again one day.