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.