The shock, the heartbreaking pain, the grief that comes with the tragic loss of a loved one is always difficult to overcome. When we least expect it, death takes away what we hold most dear.
The pain is even more difficult to deal with if it is our beloved pet. Since we had already established a certain comfortable routine with him. And then… these moments of cuddling, these looks of admiration, these moments of walks, of laughter filled with love suddenly disappear leaving a painful grief, hard to overcome.
How to mourn your pet? Discover our advice and recommendations here.
The moment after the loss of your pet, a long process of recovery begins. Your faithful companion is no longer with you, and that’s hard to live with. To do this, you must first accept the sad reality. Then you have to live and talk about the feeling of injustice and betrayal that life has inflicted on you. Finally, you must regain a taste for life, which will not really be the same as before.
Accepting that it’s all over
For the first few hours and days after your dog, cat or whatever dies, you can always continue to deny that it is really gone. No, it’s not dead. It can’t be true”. But it is. He is dead. He is no longer there. This stage of rejection, whether consciously or not, is part of the ordeal. Whether it is painful, admit that it is true and mourn your grief. Life is unfair and this fate it has inflicted on you is unfair too. But this does not mean that you have to deny the death of your partner. Make the effort to accept this sad reality. Because without this step, your grief will not be able to heal the wounds that are still too raw.
Outsource your emotions
This stage of grief is necessary to avoid guilt and further pain. It is even more important if you are an adult and have children who have experienced the death of the pet with you. Understand that whatever the circumstances of your pet’s death, it is not your fault. Rest assured. No living thing can escape death. Talk to your children and relatives and console each other. The harmony, solidarity and sense of support that may arise from these exchanges will help you greatly. Do not feel guilty at all and open up to people who can understand you. People who can really understand you. Because others always minimise the pain of a pet’s death. Verbalizing your emotions, your pain, is a good way to free yourself. And if you are still depressed, it may be time to get help from an experienced or expert.
Saying goodbye
At this stage, you have accepted the painful loss of your beloved pet. You have also let go of your regrets, guilt and anger. To fully recover (you will always have after-effects, it’s true), you must say goodbye. This is not just about paying your last respects to your pet’s mortal remains. You must, however difficult it may be, get rid of anything that might reopen that festering wound. Free yourself of your pet’s belongings. You can keep a memento and some photos. But it’s best to get rid of anything that might rekindle the pain of the void created by the death of your beloved pet.
Moving forward
Nothing will ever be the same again. Easy to say, but hard to admit. Except that this is the last crucial stage in your grief. Your pet was part of your daily life. Your daily life revolved around it. However, you must move on, put an end to this suffering. Life is like that. Ups and downs, sorrows and joys. Free yourself and give life back to your existence. Perhaps this is the best way to prove to your beloved companion that you still love him and that he has nothing to regret.
How long does it take to grieve?
The duration of the mourning does not erase the pain, it attenuates it. And mourning is not the same as forgetting. There is no time limit for mourning the loss of a pet. The pain of the loss will not be the same from one person to another or from an adult to a child. However, according to the advice on the subject, mourning for one’s pet can take at least three months. It can be up to seven months at the most. In any case, mourning deserves to be done properly and once and for all.
Take another animal to live again?
It is a dilemma and opinions are divided according to one’s conception. What is obvious is that you can never replace one companion with another. The experiences will always be different and one cannot replace the other.
Taking on another pet can make it a little easier to get over the loss of your beloved one. Just as it can drive you deeper into that painful past as soon as you leave. You may also unknowingly harm this newcomer by trying to mistake it for the companion you have just lost.
Not adopting a pet right away can be equally painful. Since the presence of another companion can fill you up and help you recover from your loneliness. And you will soon be able to re-establish a comfortable daily routine. Either one of the two has its advantages and disadvantages. Above all, don’t rush and take the time to really measure your motivations.