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When Should You Get a New Pet After One Dies?
The question of when to get a new pet after one dies is one that many grieving pet parents struggle with. Anyone who has lost a beloved pet knows all too well the void that can be left when a four-legged companion leaves this world. It’s tempting for grieving pet parents to try to fill that void by inviting a new animal into the home. While there are no hard-and-fast rules around this, it’s good to exercise a bit of caution before taking on the responsibility of a new pet.Thing to Consider When Deciding if You Should Get a New Pet After One Dies:1.)Are You Ready to Give a New Pet Love? The human-animal bond is beautiful and sacred. Whenever a deserving pet finds a loving home it’s cause for celebration. That said, you shouldn’t bring a new pet into your home until you feel ready to give the animal the love and attention he or she deserves. Nothing can ever replace a pet who has passed on, but every pet deserves a master who is ready to provide the same love and devotion you gave to your departed friend.2.) Is Your Family Ready for a New Pet? Even if you feel that you are ready to commit to a new relationship with a pet, it’s important to make sure that your family is on the same page. You don’t want to risk your family members resenting an animal because it was brought into the home before they were able to satisfactorily grieve the deceased pet. Before making a decision of this magnitude, it’s important to talk through these issues to ensure everyone is on board for creating a loving home for a new pet.3.) How Will a New Pet Impact Your Other Pets?In addition to your family, a new pet will change the dynamic for any surviving animals. Like humans, pets need time to adjust. Bringing a new pet into the home after one has died can be too much change for your other pets to handle. Acceptance of a new animal may not be immediate. If you do decide to get a new pet after one dies, make sure you have the capacity to adequately supervise the new animal relationships through this transition.Bringing a new pet into the home after one dies is not all bad. Having a new fluffy friend in the home can be very therapeutic and is the right decision for some. Just be sure that your entire household is ready to create a loving home for a new pet before making this choice.How long did you wait to bring a new pet home after losing one? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
Processing Grief After Losing a Pet
Losing a four-legged friend is one of the most difficult things any pet lover will ever experience. When you lose a pet, you lose a member of your family. Just as you would mourn the loss of a beloved family member, it’s important to process grief over the loss of a pet.Everyone processes grief in their own way. Many people can find themselves paralyzed with grief and don’t know what to do with themselves. The following exercises can serve as a great way to begin processing these emotions:Hold a Pet Memorial ServiceHonoring the bond that you shared with you pet with a formal memorial service can help you process your feelings of loss. Whether you chose to do this at home or use a Pet Memorial Service, it’s a wonderful way to process your grief.Create a Memorial in Your HomePick a place in your home to create a memorial for your pet. Perhaps near his/her food dish or in a favorite corner, whatever is meaningful to you. To honor your pet, light a candle, say a prayer or simply reflect on the time you spent together while honoring the bond you shared.Create an Online TributeOnline tribute services are a great way to help you process your feelings. They’ll allow you share photos, write an obituary and allow others to contribute as well.Make a Scrapbook If you prefer the old fashioned way, scrapbooking is a wonderful way to help visually process your loss. It can give you a chance to revisit the fondest memories you shared with your beloved pet.Write in a JournalJournaling can be therapeutic for dealing with the loss of a pet. Keep a journal and a pen in a convenient place and reach for it as treasured memories pop into your head.Create Some ArtArtistic expression is a therapeutic way to process grief for many people. Whether you paint, draw, sculpt, or compose music, summoning your creative muse can help work through feelings of loss.These are just a few ideas on how to exercise grief over the loss of a pet. While they can be extremely beneficial to processing grief, they’re by no means a substitute for professional help. If you or a loved one are having a particularly difficult time dealing with a loss, don’t hesitate to reach out to a licensed grief counselor.
A Special Thank You to Some of Phoenix’s Finest Veterinarians
If you are like me, you want to know you are doing the best to keep your pet happy and healthy. And when it’s a matter of life and death, you want to know that he or she is being treated by the most capable hands possible. I recently went through this with my cat, Mikey. When Mikey got sick, I enlisted some of the best veterinary services in the Phoenix Valley to care for him. The doctors discovered an advanced case of lymphoma from which he wouldn’t recover. Ultimately, we decided euthanasia was the most humane option.Though the decision was heartbreaking, I have no regrets about putting Mikey down. I know that I provided the best possible medical care for him; there simply wasn’t anything else we could do. I’m eternally grateful to each and every one of the doctors for their thoroughness, professionalism and compassion. I wanted to personally thank and endorse each and every one of them as they helped me to navigate this difficult time.Dr. Hereski and Dr. Glover - Horizon Animal HospitalDr. Hereski and Dr. Glover were always able to get me in the same day for bloodwork and radiographs when needed. Their staff was caring and attentive the whole way through the process with Mikey. I would come in to buy different foods for Mikey and give them an update. Everyone was rooting for him.Dr. Arch Robertson - VetMedDr. Robertson has been providing ultrasound for pets in the valley for years. I always felt confident taking Mikey to VetMed because I knew that Dr. Robertson not only had a lot of experience, but also that he stays up to date on the latest medicine. He is very thorough and will let you know everything that can possibly be done for your pet.Dr. Jonathan Grant- The Scaredy Cat HospitalWhen Mikey’s tests weren’t conclusive and he wasn’t responding to standard treatments, I wanted to go to someone who knew cats. Dr. Grant specializes in cat care. He thoroughly reviewed Mikey’s record, ran a few extra tests and told me about a new drug that was safer for cats with Mikey’s condition.When I had to leave town for a week, there was no doubt that the only place I wanted him was at Scaredy Cat Hospital in one of their cat condos, a small room with a cat tree just for him. I knew that he would get attention from the caring staff and if something went wrong, Dr. Grant would treat him.Dr. Ale Aguirre - Salt River Veterinary SpecialistI needed an ultrasound asap when Mikey wasn’t feeling well and Dr. Aguirre fit me in right away. He was the one who found Mikey’s tumor and was so sensitive when he told me. He was available to consult with any of the doctors moving forward.Dr. Linda Beaver - Arizona Veterinary SpecialistsDr. Beaver goes above and beyond in her patient care usually staying late checking in with her clients over the phone. I had left her message after I found out about the tumor and she called me that night and fit me in the next day. She took her time explaining all of our options. She was ready and willing to be as aggressive as I wanted to be and totally understanding when I felt it was time to stop.
How to Help the Elderly Cope with Pet Loss
Losing a pet is emotionally taxing for most, but it can be particularly hard on the elderly. After retirement, it’s quite common for seniors to lose their sense of purpose and belonging. Social interaction can diminish and depression may result. Pets often play a key role for seniors by making them feel needed and providing them with unconditional love and companionship. To understand the magnitude of the loss, it’s important to recognize what a pet can bring to a senior’s life:
- A sense of usefulness and productivity
- Motivation for self-care out of obligation to look after a pet
- Closeness and physical affection
- Companionship, someone to talk to
- Regular amusement and a respite from boredom
- Unconditional love
When an elderly person loses a pet, all of the above are in jeopardy as well. In many cases, the relationship with the pet was the strongest and most consistent in the person’s life. The loss can be a major disruption to their daily routine, making it difficult for them to find a reason to stay active. In the worst cases, it can even result in the loss of the will to live.Seniors grieving the loss of a pet need support and understanding. If you know an elderly person who has recently lost a pet, here are some guidelines to help them cope with their grief:Be PatientSeniors are less likely to be as open with their feelings as younger generations. They may not be as demonstrative with their grief, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t in mourning.Be Sensitive to FinancesMany seniors live on a fixed income and need to be mindful of every dollar they spend. They may have been forced to make life and death decisions based on finances. Try to be understanding and supportive.Be A Good ListenerA senior who’s recently lost a pet will need someone they can speak with openly. They may have relied on their deceased pet for interaction and its important they feel open to express their feelings.Be Mindful of Their RoutineMake sure they are taking care of themselves and making an effort to stay active. Try to ensure they are eating regularly and keeping up with any medications. Encourage them to engage in community activities.For older adults, coping with the loss of a pet can be overwhelming. Helping a senior regain their appreciation for life after such a loss is a worthwhile cause. By simply being available and mindful of their feelings, you can have a profound impact on their recovery from the loss.
Should I Get a New Pet Right After Losing One?
When a person experiences the loss of a pet, a void is left. Many people look to fill this void by bringing a new pet into the home. There are many wonderful reasons to do so, but it’s important to make sure that you are ready to give a new animal the love and devotion he or she deserves.Giving yourself and your family time to adequately grieve the loss of deceased pet is generally advisable. Failing to do so can often lead to misplaced resentment towards a new pet. It’s quite common for children to feel disloyal towards an old pet when a new pet is brought into the home too quickly.When you do decide that you and your family are ready, it’s best to avoid a pet that looks too similar to your lost friend. Allow your new friend to develop his/her own personality and avoid comparisons. Your new friend is unique and special and deserves his/her own special bond when you feel you are ready to make that commitment.Ultimately, only you can decide the right time to invite a new pet into your family. There are a whole host of variables to consider when making this decision. At Gentle Journey, we have extensive experience counseling grieving pet owners and are happy to provide support and answer your questions. Give us a call at (602) 332-7757 or visit us online to learn more:
Pet Memorials: Honoring Your Pet’s Life
Since the dawn of civilization, human beings have performed funeral rituals and held memorial services as a way of honoring the departed. These ceremonies are essential for establishing closure, as they allow us a way to grieve the passing of a loved one while celebrating the life they lead.For many, the bond shared with a beloved animal runs just as deep, if not deeper, than that of most human relationships. When we lose a pet, the pain and suffering is just as real and our instinct to mourn the loss is equally strong. As such, it’s fitting that we honor our departed animals in similar fashion.Many people are utilizing Pet funeral homes to help plan memorial services. Most provide cremation and offer a variety of keepsakes to commemorate the deceased after the service. Others elect to perform their own services at home. Whichever option you chose, it’s important that the service provides the opportunity for your family to acknowledge the loss, share fond memories of your beloved pet, and openly express emotions.Losing a pet is a heartbreaking experience; nothing you can do can change that. Holding a memorial service to honor your pet’s life can, however, ease some of the pain associated with the grieving process. To learn more about how you can best prepare for the loss of a pet, give Gentle Journey a call at 602-332-7757 or visit us online.
