Grieving the loss of a pet

Welcome to the forums. Thank you for sharing @Candyapple .

We are sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved pet. That grief is very real. We can hear how hard it is.

We are here to sit with you and support you.

This resource may be helpful: https://griefline.org.au/resources/losing-a-pet/

@Candyapple , sending you lots of understanding hugs my friend ❤️

@Candyapple Oooph. This hits hard! Thank you for posting. When my cat died (she had a great life and was very elderly - but it didn't make it easier), I actually decided to take some time off work because I realised I wasn't caring anymore as well. And I'd justify to myself that I was being silly and the grief isn't real, because she's "Just a cat", but when you come home and they're not there anymore, it is absolutely okay to be upset, for however long it takes for you to process.

Hi Candyapple,

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved dog. Grief is so hard, and I have found pet loss to be one of the harder griefs to overcome because of your short time with them - even when they grew old to their senior years. Sounds like you soulmated and it is absolutely normal, real, and valid that you are grieving as hard as you are. I like to think of love and grief like a swinging pendulum. For how far your love pendulum swings one way, it will swing just as equally far into grief when they are gone. It is a true evaluation of how big of a love your heart is capable of, and that is a beautiful gift only this kind of connection can show you. There is nothing wrong with taking some time for yourself, no matter how long it needs to be. Anyone worth their grit will understand and, god willing, still be there when you come back around. But also recognize that not every day is a guarantee, and that your friends' times on Earth, while longer than a dog, is also brief in the grand scheme of things and we should cherish that time as much as we are given. It may be worth while to seek some grief therapy, if you find your grief crippling you. Pets are a deep loss. I will say, though, time does soften the pain a little, although it won't stop a wave or two from coming from time to time. I lost my two cats within 2 years, gone to soon at 5 years old the both of them. I cried for a whole year every single day. I still cry from time to time 4 and 2 years later. It may be helpful to do something in their honour (I had 3D glass blocks with images of me and them etched into them). This can be anything that is meaningful to you and your dog. One day down the road, you will find you're not thinking about it - as much - and maybe one day you'll find room in your heart for another. This love is never replaced, but your heart can grow to love again ❤️ When the grief, tears, and memories come, let yourself miss them because in those moments are the times they are with you the most and it is how we keep them in our todays and tomorrows.

My heart is with you, and I acknowledge the depth of this grief. I lost my beautiful cat in February, and I am still in the depths of grief. That is what actually has brought me to this forum (I signed up today), so I am here to support you and to say you have landed amongst people who do understand what you are going through. The grief we feel over the loss of a much-loved pet is every bit as real and as valid as the grief we feel for people ... and for some of us it is even more intense.

sending you lots of understanding hugs my friends @siameezer , @Candyapple , @Lost52 , @YourLocalMHGuru , @balance37 and sitting with you