Grieving the Loss of a Pet

Owning a pet can be one of the most rewarding experiences of a person's life. A sad truth that accompanies it, however, is that most owners outlive their pets. This begs a very important question: How do you lessen the grief after you lose a pet? Believe it or not, the answer is simple.

You don't.

Grieving for a Deceased Pet

From joyous to sad, we experience a myriad of emotions as human beings. Most therapists will tell you that grief is not only normal, but it's healthy as well. When you grieve a loss, it means you've allowed yourself to become emotionally attached to another living creature. It also means you acknowledge his or her overall significance.

The message here is two-fold. First, allow yourself to grieve for your deceased pet. You are honoring the relationship you had, and you're providing yourself the ability to move forward with your life. Second, cherish the moments you have with every living creature, while they are still alive. By doing so, you are creating memories you'll cherish for the rest of your life.

If you are grieving the loss of a pet, we invite you to light a candle in his or her memory.