Healthy Ways to Grieve Pet Loss

Animals come into our lives as strangers and become family. That’s why losing a pet can be as painful as losing a loved one. It’s the sudden loss of those comforting touches after a long workday, or the collapse of your routine—filling the feeding bowl, going for walks, trips to the groomer or animal daycares.

There is no right way to grieve the loss of such a special connection, but there are many healthy ways to honor a pet. Here are a few ideas.

Host a Memorial Service

A memorial service is a great way to honor a pet that was part of the family. You can grieve with others who loved your pet as much as you did. It's perfectly fine if the service is just for you. Saying a few words out loud about your pet can help lift the pain of the loss. Choose the best photos of your pet and reminisce.

Plant a Memorial Tree

If a memorial service is too much to handle, try planting a memorial tree. This is a particularly good idea for families who need to grieve together. Choose any plant or tree of your choice, although a perennial plant would be best. Families can place a photo of the animal by the plant. They can also decorate the tree on a special day—perhaps to mark its birthday, the first meeting, the day of the passing, or National Pet Day (April 11th).

Get a Plaque

This is a nice, simple way to honor your pet, and it doesn't involve much planning. Order a plaque online with your pet's name engraved on the front. Include your favorite photos and place the plaque in a preferred spot.

Create a Photo Album

Making a photo album or scrapbook is another great family-friendly option. Collect all the photos available of your beloved pet, print them, and stick them in an album. Be sure to leave room for special notes where everyone can write about their favorite memories with the pet. This can also be a digital album if you wish— a folder in your phone dedicated to your cherished pet.

Make a Memory Box

Create a memory box with your pet's favorite items. You can use a shoe box or a small wooden crate.

Here are some items you can add to the memory box:

• toys

• pet collar

• pet bed

• feeding bowl

• pet apparel

Donate

Humans are wired to enjoy helping others. Donating in your pet's name can help give you that psychological boost you need.

There are a lot of abused and neglected animals out there; many organizations are working to ease their pain and providing for vulnerable animals can help ease your own.

Consider the type of donation options available to you. Perhaps you would like to make a monetary donation or maybe you want to donate your pet’s items.

Animal shelters generally take the following items:

• grooming items (brushes, nail trimmers, tick ointment)

• toys and training items (harnesses, training clickers, training mats)

• food and feeding supplies (feeding bowls, treat pouches, baby bottles)

• cleaning supplies (mops, brooms, enzyme-based and plant-based cleaners)

Seek Help

Pet grief lingers like any other grief. This lingering grief can bring other painful memories to the surface and cause people to shut down.

Grieving pet owners may feel like their experience isn’t proportional to that of their family’s experience. Maybe their friends can’t engage with them to the extent that they need them to. Can you relate?

If you are in need of additional coping mechanisms, try talking to a counselor or to other pet owners facing the same struggle. Look up support groups in your area, reach out and share.

Face the pain in a healthy way and give others the chance to grieve with you.

Remind yourself that there is no shame in having loved your pet like family.

This article was written in honor of Sarah A’mor, a Dachshund crossed with a Pomeranian, that died this summer.

She is loved by Stacy and Brianna.