Coping With the Loss of a Pet

Remembering Stanley

     This week marks one year since my husband and I lost our dog, Stanley.  I had certainly lost other family pets and even people in my life, but losing my Stanley took a piece of my heart.  Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him, and some days I still miss him terribly.  He was the center of our world for ten years, and his loss was not easy to deal with.  We decided to adopt two new pups in January and while we love them, they will never take his place or be his equal.   Our Stanley was one of a kind.  He was a people “person” and, while he didn’t dislike other dogs, he didn’t seem to know he was a dog himself, and he always demanded to be the center of attention.   I am so blessed that I had the privilege to have him in my life, and I hope to see him across that Rainbow Bridge someday.

                We in the veterinary profession talk a lot about the human-animal bond.   It is often astounding at how deep that bond goes, how deep our love for a pet can be.  For anyone who has ever lost a pet, the grief can be overwhelming.  Sometimes people who don’t share the bond do not understand what it means to lose a treasured pet. 

                If you have lost a pet and are struggling with his or her passing, Patton Veterinary Hospital has a Pet Loss Support Group that meets approximately every other month led by Dr. Elizabeth Revell, a trained psychologist and grief counselor.  Here, you can talk with people who understand and know what losing a pet means.  You can talk about ways to cope with the loss, or just remember your special pet.

                After a pet passes away, give yourself time and permission to grieve.  Don’t rush into getting a new pet.  But, if you do decide to open your home to another, wait until the time feels right in your heart.  It could be weeks, months or years later.  Writing a journal or a letter to your pet can be helpful.  You may want to light a candle or do some special act to memorialize your pet.  There are also many special urns and pendants and markers with which to mark your pet’s final resting place or in which to store their ashes.  There are also online resources and chat rooms for coping with pet loss. 

                Please contact PVH if you feel you would benefit from our free pet loss services or know of someone who needs help.  If you feel you do not want to attend the support group, or if you need immediate help or other guidance, we can direct you to other resources.  Our next Pet Loss Support Group meets November 16, 2014 at 1 PM (call to register—see our website for more information). 

                I know many of you have lost your special soul mates, too.  My thoughts and prayers go out to you.  Remember, those special pets will forever be in our hearts.  I know Stanley is forever in mine.

 –Dr. Walters