Has a friend ever confided in you that the loss of their dog caused more grief than the death of a close relative? Have you ever felt this way yourself?
Society has conditioned us to feel ashamed of such emotions, but research suggests we are more than justified when we deeply mourn the loss of a furry friend.
The house is real quiet tonight. The other day my doggy sister, Brindy, got real sick and had to go to the doctor with…
Posted by Miley the K9 Advocate on Saturday, February 18, 2017
When our first family dog, Spike passed away, my father suffered terribly. He would come home from work and just sit in his car, unable to face walking through the door without our little Poodle mix to greet him. He took long walks and visited online pet loss support groups. He woke up crying in the night.
Have you hugged your dog today #GSDsRule
Posted by German Shepherds Rule on Saturday, January 28, 2017
This was the same man who years later would practically carry me out of a family funeral when my own grief buckled my knees. At the time I was confused by his varying reactions, but a recent article from Business Insider sheds light on the subject. Turns out it’s actually quite normal for humans to experience more intense pain at the loss of a pet than that of a close friend or even a relative.
There is a pet grief card we gave to dear friends of ours, enduring that tragic, irreplaceable loss. The card looked a…
Posted by only in the mornings on Sunday, November 13, 2016
For many people, the death of a pet is comparable in almost every way to the loss of a loved one. There is even research to back this up, yet there are virtually no cultural rituals to help us cope. When a human passes away there are obituaries, eulogies, religious ceremonies, and gatherings of family and friends. We are given time off work – some employers even offer bereavement pay. There are so many ways in which we are encouraged to mourn and express our emotions.
It’s such a terrible feeling watching your Dog cross Rainbow Bridge. There is a sense of loss like no other. It’s not…
Posted by The Dog Connection TV on Friday, November 11, 2016
When a pet dies, we often have none of these traditions or sympathetic supporters to turn to. Most people are expected to return to all of life’s responsibilities right away, with little or no closure. The house is strangely quiet and filled with bittersweet memories. We have lost a best friend and faithful companion, but the depth of that pain goes almost unacknowledged.
Pet owners are made to feel that their grief is dramatic, excessive, or even shameful. After all, “it was just a dog.” The incredible human-animal bond we have formed with dogs is overlooked. Our pups provide us with constant positive feedback. They adore us simply for being “us.” They lower our blood pressure and elevate our mood. How could we not be devastated when that is lost?
Have you hugged your dog/s today?
(by buzzsharer.com)
Posted by I Love My Shih Tzu on Wednesday, January 11, 2017
There is also the matter of the sudden life changes that occur when a pet passes away. There are no more 6 AM wet-nosed wake-up calls, daily walks, or warm greetings after a long day at the office. For many people, their pets give them a sense of purpose – even a reason for being. When that suddenly vanishes, it is understandably life-altering.
Reminder: Our Pet Loss Support Group meets this Sunday (the third Sunday of every month) 3:30-5:30pm at the SPCA Adoption Center.
Posted by SPCA of Wake County on Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Another interesting factor pointed out by Business Insider is a phenomenon known as “misnaming.” It describes our tendency to accidentally refer to a child, partner or loved one by our pets’ names. This indicates that we place our dogs in the same mental category as our closest family members. When they die that is essentially what we have lost. A cherished family member.
IN THE WORDS OF A DOG:
“My name is Sadie. Even though I don’t understand it, I know why I ended up in a kill shelter….Posted by iHeartDogs.com on Thursday, September 1, 2016
The death of a pet means the loss of a source of unconditional love, a devoted companion, and a provider of security and comfort. Our dogs are sewn into the very fabric of our day to day lives. So yes, it hurts. Sometimes even more than the death of a friend or family member. And there is absolutely no reason to feel ashamed of that.
H/T to BusinessInsider.com
Featured Image via Facebook/Dogs Make Life Better
via Whisker Therapy