Grieving the loss of a pet

A few months ago, I had to make the very difficult decision to farewell our beloved pet dog, Bonnie. Her health was declining rapidly and there were no other treatments available for her. She had been our cherished family dog for the past 13 and a half years. My two young adult sons had grown up with her always being there to provide unconditional love to them no matter what their mood. She had been my constant companion on my daily walks and a happy presence whenever I arrived home from a demanding day at work.

The loss of a pet can bring with it the same feelings of grief associated with losing a human family member. However, often our society does not acknowledge this loss in the same way. We call this disenfranchised grief and this can occur for other losses such as losing someone to suicide, miscarriage or abortion.

I have worked with several clients grieving the loss of their pet. I endeavour to provide a safe space for them to process their grief which often includes a deep sadness, anger, loss of routine and purpose.

For myself, I have found journalling a helpful practice to assist in the grieving process. I have continued to walk daily, often going to Bonnie’s favourite lookouts and trails and remembering our time together. My lovely husband created a beautiful photo book full of memories of Bonnie’s adventures and times spent with us. Looking at these photos has helped me to remember the happy times as well as create space for sadness and tears.

Experiencing grief associated with losing a pet is a sign that you have loved deeply. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, everyone grieves in their own way.