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Loss: Dealing with the death of your dog

By Vanessa Rodriguez

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 09: Tomo McLoyd holds the paw of her dog Rocky, 14, as veterinarian Wendy McCulloch euthanizes the pet at their apartment on May 9, 2012 in New York City. McLoyd had made the difficult decision to call McCulloch to perform the procedure after the pet could no longer walk. End of life issues have become increasingly important for pet owners, as advanced medical treatments and improved nutrition are extending pets lives well into old age. McCulloch runs Pet Requiem, a home veterinary service designed to provide geriatric care and in-home euthanasia for dying pets in the New York and New Jersey area. Many pet owners are choosing such in-home care to try and provide a humane and compassionate "good death" for their beloved pets. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 09: Tomo McLoyd holds the paw of her dog Rocky, 14, as veterinarian Wendy McCulloch euthanizes the pet at their apartment on May 9, 2012 in New York City. McLoyd had made the difficult decision to call McCulloch to perform the procedure after the pet could no longer walk. End of life issues have become increasingly important for pet owners, as advanced medical treatments and improved nutrition are extending pets lives well into old age. McCulloch runs Pet Requiem, a home veterinary service designed to provide geriatric care and in-home euthanasia for dying pets in the New York and New Jersey area. Many pet owners are choosing such in-home care to try and provide a humane and compassionate "good death" for their beloved pets. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) /
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Dealing with the loss of your dog is one of the most difficult things anyone has to go through. Here are ways to help the grieving process.

When you lose a pet there is nothing to prepare you for the emotional distress. Sometimes it’s sickness, an unexpected accident, or old age. Whatever the reason, loss of a pet is one of the hardest things to go through.

For some, a funeral service helps with closure. Surrounding yourself with people who knew your dog and the importance they had in your life is good for your mental health. Many have life celebrations, where it’s less of a funeral service. You can memorialize your dog with photos and recount tales to your guests of the first time you met, or the good ol’ days. Remembrance versus mourning is better for the spirit, and can help console you in your grief.

If you at don’t have anyone to turn to over the loss of your pet. Seek out professional help, especially if the grief is overbearing. Humane societies and vets have access to pet loss counselors and therapists. Never invalidate your grief with the death of a pet. Losing a pet is losing a loved one, it’s a serious loss. So if you need psychological help don’t be afraid to find someone to talk to about it.

The grieving process is different for everyone. It is immense sadness one minute and uncontrollable anger the next. Allow yourself to go through the motions. Never blame yourself for the loss of your pet. Guilt is a way to control our grief. A means to punish ourselves. Believe that you loved your dog the best you could and appreciate that your dog lived their life out with you. That alone is its own treasure.

Having photos around of your dog is hard. Although, studies have shown that open grieving helps to cope with loss. So keeping photos around can help you grieve through remembrance, everyday will get easier to face those pictures. Eventually, your heart will heal and looking at those pictures won’t hurt anymore.

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When will you be ready for a new dog? This is completely up to you. Just make sure you’ve given yourself enough time to heal from your last dog. Especially if you were close. If you get a dog too early, you take a risk in comparing your new dog to the old. This will build resentment to your new dog and guilt for yourself. Not to mention your new dog may have to deal with your torn emotional state. It doesn’t sound good for either of you. So take your time and grieve, you lost your best friend.

If you’re reading this and faced with the impending loss of your dog, there is solace. You and your dog have had a beautiful life together, and this is just as far as you can go with them. Take heart that they loved, and you loved them.

Grief and loss are never easy. It is better with support and healthy remembrance. So look back fondly at your time together. Until you meet again, your friendship lives within you.

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