COPING WITH THE LOSS OF A PET

By Michelle Hoffman

To love a pet is to love your best friend, your daily companion, your biggest fan, and as several pets are called – your “furbaby”.

Throughout centuries, pets have been laying on the laps of celebrities, politicians, and rulers. How could one forget Bo, President Obama’s Portuguese water dog, who was often seen playing outside with his family, bringing joy to the chaos. Egyptians idolized cats, considering them magical creatures. Despite his violent tendencies, Benito Mussolini cherished a hen he won at a fair that became a playmate to his children. Andy Warhol, a visionary in pop art, depicted his love of his dachshunds, Archie and Amos, in his work. They went everywhere with him, becoming socialites. Pets have brought happiness, unconditional love, inspiration and emotional support that humans strive for since the beginning of time.

When thinking about a childhood pet, what emotion do you feel? Is it joy? Yearning? Do you feel a tinge of sadness remembering the day you welcomed them into your home? The feelings may be intense, and yes, you are grieving. At times mourning a pet is harder to overcome due to the harmonious bond you have created with your pet. They eased a loneliness in this world, bringing light to darkness, always admiring you as their human. How could one not grieve such a beautiful bond?

When coping with the loss of a pet, acknowledge that you are not alone and that it is normal to be devastated. Name what you are feeling and work through the emotions by sharing with a loved one or someone who understands that bond between humans and pets. Allow yourself to grieve over your best friend, just as one would grieve over a human, in order to learn how to acclimate to your world without your furbaby.

In society, there are people who may not understand how a pet loss could profoundly impact you. This societal lack of compassion or understanding is considered “disenfranchised grief“; however, pet loss is becoming prevalent, especially since the increase of pet ownership during the COVID-19 pandemic. Humans reached for pets for comfort, for connections, and to not feel so isolated. Here at Haven, we acknowledge pet loss and understand the depths of sadness you may feel.