On Pet Loss
As a pet photographer here in Minnesota, I am often called to clients’ homes to take end of life photos. It’s an honor to be let into my clients’ lives at such a vulnerable time. Many of my clients apologize for their emotion, and tell me about their experience with family and friends.
If your pet has recently died, or was recently diagnosed with a terminal illness, my heart goes out to you. Pets’ lives are tragically short. I want you to know that pet loss is real, and the associated grief is also real. Pets are part of our daily routines - they follow us into the bathroom, sit under the table while we eat, and snuggle up to us at bedtime. They are valued members of the family, no different than their human counterparts.
When they are gone, we feel the loss.
And it’s big.
Corollary to the love.
From the uninformed you may hear things like “It’s just a dog ” or “When are you going to get another cat?” If you hear these comments, ignore them and please do not let them into your soul. They are not helpful, and I argue they are hurtful.
A few words about guilt. If you were the one who decided to perform euthanasia, the guilt can be challenging. It’s a heavy responsibility to make such a decision. Or you might feel guilty because you are partly relived that your pet is no longer suffering, if they were ailing for awhile.
Grief is a personal journey, and it’s as unique as the individual to which it belongs. There’s no right way to grieve, just be sure you don’t run away from it. The loss of a pet is the same as the loss of any other family member. And it hurts. It’s OK (and healthy) to express your grief in a way that is meaningful to you.
Sometimes pet parents find solace in memorialzing their pet. Scattering ashes in a favorite location or burying them in a meaningful place are two ideas. You might also go through photos or create an album, plant a memorial tree or bush, or make a donation to a pet charity in their honor. Rely on supportive friends and family. Grieve at your own pace, in your own way.
And healing, peaceful energy to you as you navigate the grieving journey..
