Grieving the loss of a pet
When a beloved pet dies it is one of the most devastating experiences we can go through, the unconditional love that our pets show us is beyond words.
Grieving the death of a pet can take a long time to work through, often it is hard to explain to people how you are feeling for fear of being dismissed, or people just simply not understanding how you can feel so sad at the loss of a pet, so you say nothing and keep your emotions bottled up.
When you return after being out of the house the emptiness and silence felt as you walk through the door is heartbreaking. The daily rituals that once were no longer are, and the day starts with a sinking in your heart knowing you are facing the day ahead without them.
For many of you, your pet may have been your only company or was a big part of your family life which now leaves a huge void now they have died.
Counselling can be that safe space for you to express your feelings without holding back your emotions. I have had many clients over the years express how they have felt a deeper sadness at the loss of their pet than they have when a person has died, and don’t understand why this is, or feel a sense of guilt that they didn’t grieve the loss of a parent so intensely.
Pets hold a special place in our hearts, they ask very little of us yet give us so much back, they sense when we feel lonely or low in mood, they pick our spirits up with their unconditional love and have always been there for us come rain or shine.