Losing a pet is difficult.  The choice to put the pet down is also a difficult part of that process.  How to say goodbye and when is a sad time for pet owners.  Sometimes, letting one’s pet die at home is a nice way and is a possible service to make the pet more comfortable instead of the sad drive to the vet’s office.

The article, “At-home euthanasia can provide comfort to pets, owners” by Kathryn Streeter looks deeper at euthanasia at home for pets.  She states,

“This prompted a hard family conversation about quality of life. It was time, we thought, and made the heart-wrenching decision to euthanise her. But there was one bright side: We were able to do so in a way that was best for Ezzy and for us: In the privacy, comfort and, given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, safety, of our home.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review AIHCP’s Pet Loss Grief Support Certification and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Pet Loss Grief Support.

Losing a pet due to old age and natural causes is difficult but losing one to an accident is even more heartbreaking.  Like any unexpected death it can cause trauma and intense grief.  It is every pet owners greatest fear to discover an unexpected death or a pet hit by a car.

The article, “Coping with a pet’s accidental death — especially when you blame yourself” by Gavin Jenkins looks closer at personal stories of how others dealt with the sudden and tragic death of their pets.  He states, 

“Grieving the loss of a pet is often as painful as mourning a close friend or relative. But being responsible for and witnessing your pet’s death can add guilt, trauma and shame to the heartbreak. And as we discovered after Suzy died, this emotional toll impedes the grieving process.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review AIHCP’s Pet Loss Grief Support Certification.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Pet Loss Grief Support.

Losing a pet is difficult.  Pets are family and losing one can make anyone struggle.  This is true especially during the pandemic as individuals suffer the loss of pets.  Individuals are home more and because of this the loss of a pet can even sting more.  To many, during covid, the pet may be their only companion they see everyday.

The article, “9 Tips for Grieving the Loss of a Pet During the Pandemic, According to a Grief Specialist” by Erin Bunch looks at how individuals can better cope with the loss of a pet.  The article states,

“And since pets tend to provide their owners with unconditional comfort and emotional support, their passing can leave a significant hole in our lives. Add this factor to the reality that many are spending more time at home with their pets than ever before due to COVID-19 safety measures, and the exacerbated sense of loss for those whose pets have died during the pandemic is much clearer.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review AIHCP’s Pet Loss Grief Support program and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Pet Loss Grief Support.

Pet loss is a disenfranchised loss.  This means many do not acknowledge it or give the loss or people experiencing the loss the respect and time it needs. People can be ridiculed or left behind in the grieving process because others place little value on the loss of a pet.  Common phrases such as “its just a dog” or “at least it was not a family member” and “why are you still upset over a cat” are all insensitive comments, pet owners deal with.

Losing a pet is a very subjective experience though.  To some, it may not be a big deal, while others it may be a life altering loss.  Whether paws or fins, feathers or scales, the loss of a pet can be small or big to certain people.  While we naturally conceive dogs, cats and horses as the most common losses, losing smaller pets can also be painful.  While these smaller pets may not be able to form the emotional bond a dog can, certain individuals still form bonds.  Maybe the fish was a last reminder of a departed spouse, or the small hamster was a gift of a departed parent.  These attached meanings to smaller animals also play roles in how a person may subjectively grieve.

Still even so, one may have a fish for years upon years and live a very lonely life.  The loss of that simple fish, albeit, it is unable to reciprocally return love, still represents a major aspect of that person’s life.  So we cannot limit loss or dismiss it.  We must acknowledge it and respect it.

Is there a chance of pathological reaction to a loss of a smaller pet that is out of touch to reality?  It is possible, but there is a chance for pathological reaction to any loss, whether human or otherwise.  So it is important to acknowledge even the smallest loss and reassess the person’s progress through it.  Normally a loss of a hamster, or fish, may take a few days or week, but again, to some, this pet may have extra intrinsic value based on the person’s subjective situation.

Obviously, the wagging of a tail and bark to greet you at home will normally have greater loss reaction.  The loss of a dog, cat or horse USUALLY affects a person longer than a loss of a small pet, as a fish, or hamster.  These losses have a more reciprocal bond because of the animal’s higher intelligence.  AGAIN, this does not mean we can assume based on reciprocity of love and intelligence of an animal that a loss will be less or more, but it does give one a general consensus that most individuals will grieve the loss of these pets more than a smaller creature of less intelligence and emotional capacity to bond with a person.

A loss of a cat, dog or horse can be as painful as losing a family member for some.  A lonely old person may grieve the loss of a cat more than a family member he never sees.  A family may grieve the loss of a family dog that played a part in all activities.  These are not just mere animals but beloved friends and family that may not be human but beloved nonetheless.  Many see these pets as their children and the loss can hurt as much as losing a child.

Grief Counselors need to teach and educate that pet loss is a real loss.  They need to help others and show sympathy to those who will not receive it from others over the loss.  They need to acknowledge the loss of their clients pet loss and help them cope through it.  These losses are not to be minimized or lessened or ignored, but to be acknowledged and accepted as true and impactful losses

If you would like to learn more about Pet Loss then please review AICHP’S Pet Loss Grief Support Program and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals.