Are you feeling Pet Loss or Pet Grief?

Pet or animal companion grief can be a "disenfranchised Grief" a kind of loss that people around you may not understand, or may not respect as a legitimate deep personal loss.

Pet grief can feel incredibly intense for multiple reasons-
Pets often share our daily lives and routines in a close way that even our closest humans do not. Maybe you slept, ate, or walked together daily, or they greeted you at the door every single time you walked in.
Our animals may have shared major life stages and milestones with us, and we grieve for the lost times and treasure our memories, for example with the cat or dog we have had since we were little children. Or maybe your pet had been there for you when you were lonely or ill.
Animals can also be accepting of us and nonconditional in a way people usually are not. And in really tough times it may feel that the pet was your only friend or the only one who did not care or judge your imperfections.

You are not alone and I hope you will have special memories of your beloved pet to treasure always.
Take care of yourself.
Sometimes mementos, pictures, going to places where we had good memories can be a part of healing. Find people who do understand how impactful pet loss can be.

Here are a few links to get you started:

really good song and video about grieving a dog:

Helpign Kids cope with pet loss:

[amelkhalfaoui]

My baby girl cat passed on two days ago at the age of 4. I helped her have peace at the vet. My heart is shattered, my world is empty, I feel lost. The pain is real.

[muttley]

My beautiful boy Buddy. I completely underestimated just how awful it would be without him. I knew it would be sad, but I honestly think I feel traumatised. His euthanasia wasn’t peaceful like I thought it would be and I just can’t get the whole episode out of my head. I loved that dog so much, I still love him and I don’t know what to do with that love now that he’s not here. I’ll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge my sweet boy! 🐾🌈🐾

[BarbaraRodriguez]

My Roxy girl passed last night she was only 5 years old. She was rescued at 8 months old so I didn't get the full 5 years with her or more. It was traumatic and unexpected. She was fine eating and drinking etc her daily activities. Wednesday she threw up purplish but my thought was mulberries since she loved eating them and maybe a few were bad. She stopped vomiting and the next day full of energy.

Friday we cuddled she ate we walked. When I took her out for her evening walk we played Frisbee which is her favorite. We did one round and the second time I threw her Frisbee she seizured and collapsed. I did compressions and mouth to nose but she was gone.

My only consolation is that she left playing her favorite game and she was not alone. I am heartbroken but I know I gave her all I could.

[karennelson]

Thank you for this. I had to send my beautiful 14-year-old Bentley across the rainbow bridge yesterday. the pain that I feel is on a whole new level now💔

[zachthorp]

My sweet beautiful Cinder died a couple hours ago. She was an 18 years old Australian shepherd. I’m an emotional wreck right now, but these comments and the video helps. I’ve lost my father and brother recently too, but Cinder was with me for half my life every single day. We did everything together. RIP sweet girl, I’ll love you forever.

[IntegraDIY]

i honestly feel like dying. i don’t want to go on without him. excellent video, i feel like you truly understand the feeling and suffering coping with the pain. and very good advice, thank you. hope time heals 😞😞

[TheQueensWish]

Thank you so much for this affirming video. It’s been 12 days since we lost our kitty to cancer after a one year battle. My family of origin is a narcissistic family system. There just isn’t any support there and I know that. That’s why I’ve spent time away from them and with my loved pet instead. To him, my kitty, I was his night and day. His sole support. I would do anything to make him happy and more comfortable and I’m grateful for every day we had, even the last heartbreaking ones when he was trying to so hard but was ready to give up. We miss him every moment. 12 years was not enough. Someone loved him dearly in this world and that was me, his human mom. From the moment I first saw him and to the end, and now too. My love continues. I won’t allow anyone to disenfranchise my grief and if they do, it will just be further evidence of their nature, not my own. Thank you Scottie! Mama loves you so much ❤❤❤! I hope to see you again in time. I will be waiting for you and look for mama in the light.

[saraha]

Thank you for this video. Just lost my baby boy after 9 wonderful years.. had to put him down today after his condition became unbearable, the pain is like a hole in my heart. I like to think that now I have an angel meowing his way in heaven, RIP my fur baby, we love you ❤️🐾

[ayepee]

I lost my sweet little baby Oreo a few days ago. She passed in my arms after collapsing 😔💔 I’m so sad … and what’s worse is i feel like i couldn’t save my baby, i hope she knows i love her so much 😔😔😔

[kaylareis]

Life threw me a big curve ball. In just 4 weeks my partner of 4.5 years and I broke up, I moved out, moved into a new apartment, noticed my sweet cat Harrison was not eating much but acting normal otherwise and seemed to adapt quick to the new place so I didn’t think this was lack of appetite from stress. Took him to the vet and before I knew it he was hospitalized on Valentine’s Day and I had to say goodbye 3 days later. They told me he had bone marrow cancer. He had just turned 4 on February 8th and his two year adoption anniversary is the 27th. I have never cried so much in my life. I still can’t believe he’s gone and won’t be with me for this next phase in my life and that we didn’t even quite get a full two years together. Hardest thing I have ever had happen to me by far. I still can’t believe it. He was the love of my life and I will always miss him ❤

[lillythepinkthepink]

17/11/23 goodbye my little bubby Sniff. She was 16 years old. I will never forget you.

[Progressivelyyou]

This was so sweet and understanding.
I recently lost my big girl; a sweet loving german shepperd. It was the worst pain I've ever felt, but I let myself feel it and be authentic about the pain. I'm hopeful that I'll eventually feel okay again.
My heart goes out to everyone going through this, I love you all.

[sosabrina]

My 17yr old cat passed 2 days ago. It’s been so hard being home and not seeing her. Wishing you all the best through the healing process.

[katyh]

I lost my 14 year old cat 5 months ago. She was my unconditional support while I'm trying to heal from something mostly alone. She suddenly got ill and I had to have her put to sleeo. It was 5 months ago and I'm currently crying my eyes out etc. When struggling she was always there and she knew, I could tell and often would put her paw on me tp comfort me. A few people have said will you get another one, and that is the last thing I want to hear. I miss her so much and want her back. I've been reading the comments and I'm so sorry to everyone, my tears flow so much for mine and your loss.

[melaniegreen]

I had to put down my 18 year old cat a couple days ago. I had her since she was weaned from her mama and she has been the longest living pet I've ever had. I feel like there is a hole in my heart right now, because it is so new and I miss her terribly. I knew the day would come, but she suddenly went downhill fast and there was no recovery since she was already so old. She was a wonderful cat. She was a tabby cat, and her name was actually Tabby.

[gillanlorna]

So true, my daily life is so different now my lovely wee cat& dog have both required to be put to sleep. Pet loss is different as animals do love you unconditionally. Feel very honoured to have had them in my life for so long

[KS-cznr]

First of all, my sympathy goes out to each one of you who are going through the loss of your baby. My Tinkie Kat left me 8 days ago. Fifteen years of his love is gone. It seems like yesterday then it seems like forever and I'm struggling on just how to 'be' without him. One minute at a time. That's all I can do right now. Moving on? I know I will, but it will be in my time.

[stevegarcia]

I just lost my baby boy lucky Saturday was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do I’m broken he was 12 years i took him to the vet hospital I thought he would be coming home with us but ended up being put down due to lots of complications my baby was tierd thank you for the video

[chrishaynes]

I really enjoyed this i just had to put my beloved cat she was 19 she had problem will illness i dont believe in letting animals to be in pain and theres nothing to be done about it .some people think its not a big deal but it is.i gave her the best love of life .i miss her so much ❤❤

[arell]

My sweet Lucy passed almost a month ago. She was almost 16 years old. I’m so heartbroken. I can’t stop crying. It’s hard to get up in the morning. We usually sleep in together.