Page 4 - Compassion Understood - Understanding Grief

Feelings of grief (continued)
DENIAL
In the early hours or days after losing your pet, you might feel that it’s too painful to let yourself open up to the feelings of loss. You might try to deny that your pet has died by keeping yourself busy, rushing out to get another pet to fill the void, or tell yourself that it’s insignificant and you shouldn’t be so weak. By avoiding acknowledging deeper feelings of loss, you prolong the period of healing. Open yourself, gently look inside and help yourself heal. Seek help from family, friends or counsellors if you need support to do this.
Talk about your pet loss, cry if you need to. Open up with family, friends, or colleagues. Not everyone will be able to understand your feelings; some people just aren’t pet people. But there are many others that will know just what you’re going through.
There is support through helplines and forums, and you may in some circumstances need to seek medical help if you feel you might be becoming depressed. Acknowledge to yourself that it’s OK and valid to reach out.
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