Coping with Losing a Dog

A dog is more than just a pet to people, rather a dog is a part of your family. When your dog passes, you can feel a lot of emotions that are overwhelming. We can all experience and handle loss in different ways, and there is no reason to feel ashamed of any feelings you may have. Depending on your age, personality, or circumstances, we can all experience and cope with these feelings of loss through different methods.

Grieving

Everyone handles grief in different ways but common feelings are denial, anger, guilt, depression, and finally acceptance. These feelings may come in waves, or you may not experience certain emotions. Certain things can spark grief even as time passes. There is no normal length of grieving, but it will get easier with time. Trying to ignore the pain or force healing will not make grieving any easier, so have patience with yourself and others during this period. 

Coping

All sorts of emotions can be felt while grieving, but there are healthy ways to cope with the pain of loss. You can reach out to others; whether connecting with family and friends or others that have lost pets, it can be impactful to vent and verbalize your feelings. Taking time for yourself can be beneficial as you deal with emotions. Spend some alone time with yourself and look after your needs. The loss of a pet can be like that of losing a family member, so choose to get help if it is necessary to your mental health. 

A pet is a big part of your life, so it can be detrimental when they pass. Remembering fond memories that you made with your pet can make the loss a little bit easier.