Tips To Help Find Peace After Losing A Pet

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Pets are a great source of companionship and are loved by many worldwide. According to recent data, over 90 million US families own a pet. Losing a pet can be challenging, to say the least. I am a HUGE animal lover and have rescued countless through the heads. Sadly, that also means that I have lost many. It can take a long to time to recover or at least learn to cope with the loss. Although, there is no easy way to “get over” losing your pet, here are a few things that might help.

Create A New Routine

When I am dealing with the loss of a beloved pet, one of the hardest things for me is that my routine is different. I look for my pet constantly and have to remember that he isn’t there. Although, it’s easier said than done, establishing a new routine will help you obtain a sense of normalcy while still grieving. You could try to add in activities that bring joy and distract from the pain, such as taking a daily walk, writing in a journal, or practicing mindfulness.

Allow Yourself Time To Grieve

I can’t stress this enough. Allow yourself to feel your emotions. There is no timeline for grief and if you need to feel sad, then you should feel sad. Losing a pet is traumatic and recovery will take time. It’s over to feel it and honestly, you are only hurting yourself if you don’t let yourself feel your feelings.

Create A Memorial

Creating a memorial to honor a your pet can be very therapeutic. It can help you find closure while keeping your pet’s presence close. There are so many things you can do like planting flowers, photo albums. Similar to visiting loved ones at a cemetery, creating something physical will give you something to focus on. Another option is a more formal burial with a pet casket.

Get Support

Talk to people. Most people understand the loss of a pet. It’s so important to get your feelings out and know that you’re not alone. You could also consult your veterinarian or nearest animal hospital for a pet loss hotline or support group. This way, you can connect with others who have experienced pet loss and get the support and encouragement you need.

No matter what, losing a pet is devastating and like grief of any kind; you have to go through it. I hope these ideas can at least help!