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To most of us our pets are more than just pets. They are family members that
have been an integral part of our lives. We love our pets dearly, and when we
lose a beloved pet, we grieve over our loss. We can be affected very deeply
by the loss of our animal friends, and grief is a natural part of the healing
process. It is very easy to get deeply attached to a pet. Children may have
a particularly difficult time with the loss of a pet especially if they are
very young. People can suffer from depression following the death of a pet,
just as they can following the loss of a relative or friend. In a sense, it
is like losing a friend.
The circumstances surrounding the loss of a pet can affect how a person
reacts, and how well one adjusts to the grieving process. If the pet passes
quietly and easily, from old age or illness, the owners may have been able to
prepare themselves for the inevitable, if they suspected the time was
near. If the animal passed tragically, by an sudden accident, the death may be
more difficult to accept. If the situation involves euthanasia, a person may
take longer to heal from the loss. When a pet must be put to sleep due to
severe injury or illness, the owner may go through a period of anger, hurt,
and depression. They may blame themselves for the loss of the pet. They may
regret the decision they made. Making a life or death decision is never
easy. It is a decision of an extremely personal nature, and one that can
cause intense emotional distress. If euthanasia is a choice you have had to
make, you must learn to live with that decision. You can do so by knowing in
your heart that you did what was best. Euthanasia should only be considered
as a last resort.
Each individual is different, and some may require more time than others to
grieve and cope with their loss. It helps to talk to someone who
understands, perhaps someone who also lost a beloved pet, who will just be
there to help by listening. For some people, getting a new pet as soon as
possible is the best medicine to heal their grieving spirit. But others might
not be able to accept a new pet so soon after their loss. Some pet owners
may feel that they are in some way betraying, or forgetting, their beloved pet
by hurriedly adopting a new one, and feel they must wait, out of a sense of
loyalty to the pet they lost. But if you can bring a new animal into your
life soon after the loss, it may be the best thing to do.
 You will never forget the pet that you lost, and a special place will always
remain in your heart for that particular pet. Each pet is as different as
each person. You are not betraying your loyalty to your pet by opening your
heart and home to a new animal. The choice to wait depends upon the
individual. Once again, everyone is different. Whether you choose to adopt a
new pet right away, or wait until you're ready, sharing your love with another
animal is an ideal way to work through the grieving process. You can't
replace the beloved pet that you lost, but you can share the love you have in
your heart with another pet that needs a good, caring home. You can honor
the memory of your special pet by becoming the loving caretaker of another
animal who needs a friend, too.
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