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.
I have always loved animals and enjoyed having various pets as a child. As an adult, I spent 10 years breeding cockatoos and presently have a Bengal cat. Even with all the joy that having a pet brings to your life, also comes the heartache when the inevitable death of a pet occurs. I hope that my article can provide some help and consolation as you work through the grief of losing a beloved pet.
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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