To help you cope with the loss of your pet:

• Permit yourself to grieve.  You’ve just lost a faithful companion who gave you unconditional love.  It’s a tremendous loss and absence from your life.  Take time to heal.  It is expected to feel sad and worn out for a while. 

• Guilt is a familiar feeling with grief.  It is expected to wrestle with guilt at this time, even though there is usually nothing you could or should have done differently.  We all do the best we can. Try to be gentle with yourself if you experience guilt, and know it is a common feeling during this process.

• Have a family ritual or ceremony to celebrate your pet’s life and acknowledge his or her death.  Write a letter, create a memorial, write a poem, or tell stories. We have compiled a list of some ideas for celebrating your pet’s life and for memorializing them. 

• Talk openly with someone you trust about the loss.  Get it all out.  Share your feelings completely.  Other family members may be grieving too much to support you, and it’s okay to seek professional help to get through this. 

• Think about doing something creative, such as writing in a journal, painting, clay, glass, drawing, etc., to celebrate your life with your pet. 

• Do something each day that brings you joy.  It can be hard to be joyful amidst sadness, but joy and laughter are universal healers.  You won’t disrespect your pet by working through your loss and seeking things that make you joyful or laugh.

• If you want another pet, do so only when you are ready.  You will never be able to replace the pet you lost; it takes time to invest in a new pet emotionally.