Grief is a natural and normal part of human life. Everyone experiences grief. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Some express it often and openly by talking or crying. Others want to be alone, stay busy, or feel angry instead of sad. Grief can last a long time. Certain events can trigger it year to year, reactivating the hurt and feelings of loss. Let yourself experience all the feelings of grief over time to complete the cycle. The purpose of grief is to honor life and heal the heart, to learn from loss and love again.
Pet loss is often trivialized and misunderstood. Know that it is a significant loss. When your pet dies, you deserve compassion and sensitivity from others. Euthanasia ranks as one of the most difficult decisions you must make in your lifetime. If you struggle with guilt, remember it was illness, injury, or advanced age that took your pet's life. You chose euthanasia to spare your pet from further suffering. You made this choice from love.
Honesty is what kids deserve when facing the death of a pet. They want to be included and hear the facts. Children's imaginations run wild and they often believe they cause events to happen. This thinking can lead to a child believing that a pet's death was their fault. When they know how and why their pet died, they are reassured that they were not responsible for their pet's death. Even very young children can be present when a pet dies and view the body. The family can cry and grieve together. Most kids need and want to say good-bye.
