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Helping Children Cope With Pet Loss – 3 Tips to Help Infants and Children Up to Three Years

It’s not the same without you pepper, I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU!!!! 7/8/98 – 5/23/08


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Helping Children Cope With Pet Loss – 3 Tips to Help Infants and Children Up to Three Years

The subject of death and dying can be a very challenging topic for a parent to help a child understand. When a family pet dies, this is usually the first time a child has experienced death. Infants and children up to age three will probably not understand what the death of a pet means, but, can easily pick up the unease, stress, and emotions other family members are feeling.

How a child sees others nearby handle a pet’s death will have long term consequences of their view of death and dying. It is okay to show your feelings of pain and sorrow by crying, but, the feelings should be controlled, and viewed as a natural reaction to the loss of a loved one. A good approach is to be honest about describing the finality of death, and to use the words “death and dying.”

In helping children cope with a pet loss, it is important to recognize that a child does not have enough experience in life to fully understand the concept of death. A simple explanation stating that the pet has died and will not return, is all that is really needed. The child should be reassured that nothing he/she said or did contributed to the death. A child may show signs of regressing such as a return to thumb sucking or have a temper tantrum. Some may have a nightmare or express fear that their parents will also die. These are all normal reactions to something that is unknown and new.

The following three tips can give ideas on how to handle a pet’s death with children up to age three:

1) reassure the child by embracing and hugging him/her

2) try to maintain the day to day normal household routine

3) consider replacing the pet as a child in this age range can generally welcome a new pet quite readily

When there is a death of a pet and children are involved, special tact should be made to help them understand what is going on and that it is alright to cry and be upset.

Deborah A. is an animal lover with a special interest in helping others cope after the loss of a pet. Are you trying to move past the grief of your pet’s death? CLICK HERE or go to: http://www.petlosshelp.info to get more tips and relief in coping with your pet loss.

Heal Your Heart: Coping With The Loss Of A Pet

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5 Ways to Help You Deal With Pet Loss

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5 Ways to Help You Deal With Pet Loss

Copyright (c) 2009 Rebecca Kimes

Losing a beloved pet is often one of the most significant losses in your life. Your loss will cause you to suffer from crying, depression, appetite loss, sleeplessness, anger, guilt and anxiety.

It?s important to know that everything you are going through is a natural process. However there are steps, tools, and processes you can take advantage of that will make the grieving process easier.

Here are 5 tips that will help during the grieving process and allow you to move on with your life more quickly and easily.

Acknowledge That You Have the Right to Grieve

All too often the grieving process is complicated by feelings that you are over-reacting to the loss of your pet. “Why are you upset, it was only a cat” is something that many of your friends and family might say.

These people may be trying to help but they do not comprehend the bond you had with your loyal animal friend. Realize right now that it was and still is a meaningful, heart-felt relationship and you have every right to deeply miss your companion and grieve.

Form a Support Network

During this vulnerable time surround yourself with people who understand and are empathetic to your situation. There are many support systems and communities available. Your veterinarian may have suggestions as well as your local humane society. Many towns offer pet loss support groups you can attend. There are on-line forums and communities where you can connect with people in the same situation.

Perform a Ritual

When you feel ready performing a ritual is a way to formally say goodbye to your companion. It also gives you permission to move on with your life. You could have a funeral for you pet even several weeks or months after their passing. Consider performing a candle ceremony with select friends and family. Let your inner creativity shine and design a ritual from your heart. Know that whatever you choose will be perfect.

Take Care of Your Body

The grieving process affects your body. During such times it is important to give your body extra care and attention. Going for walks out in Nature can clear your head and ground you. Exercise can help put you body back in balance.

Consider getting a massage. Massages release toxins and relax you. Think of other things you can do to take better care of yourself during these times of grief?

Learn to Soothe Yourself

Soothing yourself is an important process to learn and implement during times of intense grief. It is a way to feel better and allow yourself to move up the vibrational scale.

Essentially, talk to yourself as you would talk to a hurt child. ?I know that I am feeling extremely down today. But that?s OK. I?ll be with what I feel because I know that really soon I?ll feel better. I know that I have lots of options right now. I could go on-line and connect with new friends. Or I could call my grief coach. I am certain that these feelings of grief will soon go away. I also know that my animal companion is with me, right now, in spirit. And if I become still, and go within I can easily connect with her spirit. In fact, I am feeling better and better right now. Yes, I do feel better. And I will feel even better if I take a hot bath right now. I am very thankful that I have some time to relax and take wonderful care of myself. I deserve it.?

Play with this new tool often, whenever you feel like you would like a little lift to your spirits. You will be amazed at how effective soothing yourself is.

Take heart that although this is a seemingly impossible time you will soon feel better. There are many resources and people to help you elegantly recover from the loss of your beloved animal companion.

Pet Condolence Sympathy card on the loss of your pet ( rabbit )

Pet Condolence Sympathy card On the Loss of Your Pet – Rabbit image. A simple card for a sad occasion. Left Blank inside for your own personal note. Message on the front of the card reads: A special place…. Narrative on the back of the card reads: Being parted from a beloved friend leaves a terribly raw ache which one can’t imagine will ever go away. However, time is a natural healer and eventually your memories will bring you fond comfort rather than sadness and loss….. This Pet Sympathy Co

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Coping With Death Of Pet – 4 Techniques To Help With Your Struggle

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Coping With Death Of Pet – 4 Techniques To Help With Your Struggle

When an individual you love and care for dies, it is natural to experience the emotions of sadness and heartache. You gratefully accept the support and sympathy that your family and friends give you. Unfortunately, you may find that the very people you thought you could count on are not as understanding when a pet dies and do not appreciate the grief you are going through. They may think it is unreasonable to get so wrapped up in the emotions, saying “it is just a pet.” Coping with your pets’ death can be even harder to resolve without the support you thought you had.

Only those who have felt that deep bond with their pets can truly understand and empathize with the grief you are suffering. They know that pets can become a genuine member of the family! Many people observe their pets’ birthdays, have pictures in their wallet, and share their innermost feelings to their beloved animal.

So, how can we best cope with the death of a cherished pet? The following are four techniques to help with the struggle of pet loss:

1) accept the grief you are feeling and allow yourself to feel the full brunt of it
2) find other people you can go to that will listen to your pain
3) contact your humane society or veterinarian and ask about a pet loss support group to attend or a pet loss hotline to call
4) write down all the feelings you are having about your pets’ death

Our pet can provide friendship, emotional support, and unconditional love, despite our flaws. If we are comfortable with this strong bond we have with our pet, then we realize it is a normal process to grieve when our pet dies. This process has no timetable – it can take anywhere from days to years, depending on each individual.

Deborah A. is an animal lover with a special interest in helping others cope after the loss of a pet. Are you trying to move past the grief of your pet’s death? CLICK HERE or go to: http://www.petlosshelp.info to get more tips and relief in coping with your pet loss.

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Pet Loss and Grief – 4 Steps to Help Cope With Feelings of Guilt

Pet loss poem


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Pet Loss and Grief – 4 Steps to Help Cope With Feelings of Guilt

When we have a pet, we naturally take on a deep sense of responsibility. Our pet depends on us for food, water, shelter, healthcare, and love. When we suffer a pet loss, the grief may seem overwhelming. One of the strongest emotions we can feel after a pet’s death is guilt. 

Feeling guilt is a normal reaction to the grief we are going through after experiencing a pet loss. If you lost a pet through an accident, you may be thinking “if only I had…” 

- Been keeping a closer eye  

- Exercised more caution  

- Had come directly home  

- Been more aware  

If you lost a pet through an unforeseen illness, you may be wondering “why didn’t I…”

 - Get to the veterinarian sooner?  

- Consider getting another medical opinion?  

- Pay closer attention to see signs of illness?  

- Not wait so long to do anything?  

You may still find other reasons to feel guilty about a pet’s death, thinking “if only I had…”

 - Not been so preoccupied  

- Devoted more attention  

- Not pushed him/her off my lap  

- Not yelled at him/her  

Sometimes there is nothing we can when our pet succumbs to an illness or suffers an injury. In working through feelings of guilt, we may learn how to better identify symptoms of ill health or gain knowledge from a mistake. The following four steps can assist in coping with feelings of guilt after a pet’s death: 

1) Talk about your feelings to a family member or close friend who can provide more objectivity  

2) Change the focus from your feelings of powerlessness to the times you had with your pet in good health and the occasions you took excellent care of your pet

3) Recognize that you cared for your pet the best way you could at that time, that injuries and sickness happen, and that people make errors

4) Talk to your veterinarian about any remaining concerns about your pet’s state of health

Although the pet loss and grief can be devastating, it is important to remember that having feelings of guilt are to be expected and it will take time to work through them and begin the healing process.

Deborah A. is an animal lover with a special interest in helping others cope after the loss of a pet. Are you trying to move past the grief of your pet’s death? CLICK HERE or go to: http://www.petlosshelp.info to get more tips and relief in coping with your pet loss.

Coping with Pet Loss (Overcoming Common Problems)

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Dealing with aspects of pet loss, this book includes: stages of grieving; when mourning mask deeper problems; dealing with those who don’t understand; helping children cope; considering euthanasia; missing: when pet loss isn’t death related; special loss: losing a service dog; remembering a pet; and when to get another pet.

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Helping Your Child Cope With Pet Loss – 3 Tips to Help Children Ages 2-6

Helping Your Child Cope With Pet Loss – 3 Tips to Help Children Ages 2-6

For many people, a pet is considered to be an important member of the family. Losing a pet can, therefore, cause a substantial amount of grieving in a household. When there are children involved, special consideration should be made as this is often a child’s initial exposure with death.

In helping your child cope with pet loss, it is important to realize that everyone (including the parents) is going to be emotionally affected. You will need to convey to your children that it is okay to grieve. By showing your own emotions and grief, this sends a message that the pet was an extraordinary member of the family, and allows your children to also show their sadness and thus, start the healing process.

For children ages 2-6, the death of their pet will feel like the loss of a friend. A child may not see the death as something permanent. They may think their pet is asleep, or feel that bad behavior or anger directed towards the pet caused the death. By avoiding saying the pet has been “put to sleep,” or “run away,” you can minimize confusion or doubt. If you say that their pet’s body no longer works and that the pet will not be returning, this helps keep the explanation simple.

The following three tips can give ideas on how to handle a pet’s death with children ages 2-6:

1) inform your child’s teachers about the pet loss in case there are any behavior changes

2) hold off on getting another pet until your child shows a desire for one

3) be open to having as many conversations as needed to allow your child to share his/her emotions and worries

Helping your child cope with pet loss will take some extra attention, however, children are generally able to accept their pet is gone and recover from the loss.

Deborah A. is an animal lover with a special interest in helping others cope after the loss of a pet. Are you trying to move past the grief of your pet’s death?