The Loss of a Pet
At some point in every person's life, facing personal loss is inevitable. Losing a parent, child, sibling, other family member or friend can bring about a most profound change in someone's world, turning it upside down. This loss can create a turbulence in a person's life that is difficult to withstand at best, and at worst, may be so deeply devastating that recovery may require in-depth counseling or medical intervention.
For many people, the loss of a beloved pet can be very deeply painful. Those who have lost a dear furry friend during their lifetimes can understand the unique type of emotional, often times physical pain that one must endure as the grieving process begins. For some, losing their cherished friend can bring about an anguish that many cannot even begin to comprehend, and for the bereft individual, sometimes this very personal situation can create an unintended isolation from human contact due to a lack of understanding, or miscommunication. There may be times when the mourner cannot contain his or her emotional pain, and when someone who has never before experienced the loss of a pet does not have an understanding of what this person is going through, they may seem insensitive to the griever's needs, and may respond in such a way that the grieving person associates with lack of caring, and he or she may disassociate from that person, unintentionally severing a meaningful relationship. These stages may occur in order, or out of sequence. It is possible that you may even experience several of these stages simultaneously, and this may cause a feeling of confusion during this time. The stages of grief may linger for a long period of time, possibly affecting the way you function in your day to day life. These stages may also pass relatively quickly. The intensity of grief you experience may depend upon the situation surrounding the loss of your pet, as well as on the depth of the bond shared between the two of you. It is critical that you tend to your emotional needs during this time, and that you allow yourself to fully process your grief. Just as grieving the loss of a family member or friend is a natural process, it is important to remember that grief from the loss of a beloved pet is just as real, and can affect us just as profoundly.
This is a very critical time for those who have lost a pet, and it is so important for them to know that there are indeed people out there who are sensitive to their unique feelings and needs. Beth is one of those people, for she herself has lost several beloved pets in her lifetime. She understands the genuine and deep feeling of loss and grief that one goes through. She has opened her heart to those who need someone to talk to and gently helps to ease them through their grief. Her gentle and compassionate style will create an atmosphere of comfort and trust, and those experiencing this pain wil know that they are loved and understood.
Stages of Grief
When we lose our beloved pet through death, or whether the pet was lost, stolen, or removed from the home, we will grieve. The diagnosis of a terminal illness will bring about anticipatory grief, and we will suffer quietly as we anticipate our pet's demise, silently wondering how long it will be before our beloved friend is no longer with us. No matter if this is your first experience with the loss of a pet, or if you have had to say goodbye to many cherished animal companions, each loss will impact you differently. We are never really ready for the effect of the loss. But in any event, there are certain stages of grief that we must experience when a beloved pet dies:
If you are a person who is in need of someone to talk to about your pain surrounding the loss of your pet - whether you are in the process of making the difficult decision to euthanize, whether the loss is new, or especially if you are still profoundly missing a pet that died long ago and you find yourself unable to move forward in your life - please contact Beth to schedule a special session.
Recommended reading: The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood by Nadine M. Rosin, available on Amazon
Beth is a Certified Pet Bereavement Counselor and received her specialized training from the Association of Pet Loss and Bereavement, of which she is a member. Visit their web site at www.aplb.org .
No one will be turned away because of an inability to pay, however, love offerings are appreciated
for pet bereavement sessions.
If you need someone to talk to about your grief,
call Coach Beth now to schedule
your 15 minute complimentary assessment
480-748-3021
beth@TheHealthySpirit.com
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You can also visit my online support group:
Paws To Remember ~ Pet Loss Circle of Support
In Loving Memory of Oliver
May 30 2006 ~ July 25, 2009
"... For if the dog be well remembered, if sometimes she leaps through your dreams actual as in life, eyes kindling, laughing, begging, it matters not where that dog sleeps. On a hill where the wind is unrebuked and the trees are roaring, or beside a stream she knew in puppyhood, or somewhere in the flatness of a pastureland where most exhilarating cattle graze. It is one to a dog, and all one to you, and nothing is gained and nothing lost - if memory lives. But there is one best place to bury a dog. If you bury her in this spot, she will come to you when you call - come to you over the grim, dim frontiers of death, and down the well-remembered path and to your side again. And though you may call a dozen living dogs to heel, they shall not growl at her nor resent her coming, for she belongs there. People may scoff at you, who see no lightest blade of grass bent by her footfall, who hear no whimper, people who have never really had a dog. Smile at them, for you shall know something that is hidden from them. The one best place to bury a good dog is in the heart of her master." ~ Author unknown
