It’s that moment in time you never want to happen. But, inevitably, it does. That time came for me about a week ago for my beloved furbaby, Simon. It’s one of the toughest things I have been through in quite some time.
My love for my pets goes as deep as any love can go in the fibers of my heart. Simon was not just a cat…he was my companion, my lovebug, my baby. Losing him devastated me. I cried a lot, I cried hard, I still cry.
“All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” -Helen Keller
I want you to know that it’s ok to be sad for the loss of your precious pet, and here’s why:
- They are more than just pets. They are cherished friends, loyal companions, our furry children who love us unconditionally.
- They are a huge part of our every day life – happy to see us when we come home, enjoying our affection and love, making us smile with their adorable personalities.
- We have a very special, very personal, unique bond with our pet.
- We share quality time caring for and loving our fur babies which creates a huge void when they are gone.
Grieving
Psychologists have long recognized that the grief suffered by pet owners after their pet dies is the same as that experienced after the death of a person. (Source: http://petloss.com/muns.htm)
Grieving is a very personal experience. Pets are family and given the strong bond we have with our pets, it’s natural for you to feel a significant loss. The pain and sadness you feel are normal reactions. A helpful article to read: An Introduction To Pet Loss
Five Stages of Grief
- Shock and Denial (“This isn’t really happening…”)
- Anger (“Why Simon?! This isn’t fair!”)
- Bargaining (“I would give anything to have him back…”)
- Depression (“I miss my baby so much, how can I go on without him?”)
- Acceptance (“I will be ok, time will heal.”)
You probably will feel more than one of these at once as I know I did and still do. There are no certain ways you should grieve as grief is such a deeply personal experience, and there will not be any time frame on how long it takes. It will hurt forever. You will love them forever. Over time, it just will be easier to feel “normal” again.
Read more about coping with grief on our Tips of Coping With Grief post.
Having experienced this myself, I empathize with you completely. Be gentle with yourself, honor your feelings, and have faith you will get through it.
Love and Purrs,
Amy
