Page 3 - Compassion Understood - Understanding Grief

Feelings of grief
SADNESS
For most people, the loss of a pet brings with it deep sadness. Particularly early on it can be hard to see past the recent events surrounding a pet’s death. Sadness might bring with it apathy, lethargy or a feeling of loneliness. For most, these feelings will typically ease; the time taken for this will vary, but for most, over a period of days, feelings of intense sadness will lift.
For others though, the deeper feelings of sadness do not lift. Pet loss is a very emotional time, and some individuals may struggle to work their way through it, taking weeks or months for the intense sadness to lift. Keeping up with daily tasks and activities might be difficult and they may withdraw from regular life. It’s important to recognise that for some, the traumatic events of pet loss
can lead to depression. This is a recognised clinical condition and medical help should be sought.
ANGER
Just as with human bereavement and grieving for a person, anger is an emotion that can surface when grieving for a pet. You might feel anger at your vet, your veterinary practice, your family or friends, God or the universe, your pet’s disease, your pet and yourself. Acknowledge it, but let it go if you can so you can help yourself to move forward through the rest of the grieving process. Be gentle with yourself. Seek help if you can’t get past the anger.
GUILT
Guilt is a common emotion to experience around the time of pet loss. You may feel guilty for having made the decision to euthanase your pet, even though at that time, it was the right thing to do and the best decision for your pet. You might feel guilty for ‘letting your pet go on too long’ or not being able to judge ‘the right time’ to let go. Again, it’s important to be gentle with yourself. Try to move past the negative emotions of guilt and allow yourself to heal.
Try to remember the happy times. Learn from your pet loss experience and note whether there’s anything that you would do differently next time.
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