Pet Loss Therapy

I don’t believe anyone is ever prepared for the death of a beloved pet. The loss — or impending loss — of a special companion can be so intense at times, it feels unbearable; belief we’re all alone in our sorrow. Complicating these feelings are the well-meaning people in our lives who simply do not understand the special pet-person bond and offer support in the form of, “it’s only a dog” (or cat, or horse, or bird, etc.), or, “you can always get another one.”

Western society tends to underestimate the depth of the pet-human bond and the closeness that can transcend a human relationship in terms of unconditional love. Complicating this bonded-connection are the end-of-life decisions pet-parents must make on the timing to euthanize a beloved pet. For those facing this decision, I suggest you complete the individual Quality of Life Scales (Villalobos 2012, 2007) for dogs and cats to help bring clarity to your decision. For many, though, the death of a pet can trigger grief more fully than the loss of a human relationship. Through our grief, significant guilt and anger are often triggered inwardly on all the “if only” scenarios following the loss of a pet. Consequently, many pet owners mourn by themselves out of concern no one will understand them, or worse, out of fear others will judge their grief.

You are not alone.

I am a pet-parent who knows the grief of losing a beloved pet. In October 1994, Mulder and Scully were each six-weeks-old when they became brothers to each other and companion pets to me. In April 2011, Mulder, at nearly 17-years-old, succumbed to a ruptured tumor; six months to the day later, 17-year-old Scully died from complications of renal failure. Through my grief, I came to the realization of the way to process the meaning of this significant hurt and loss in my life is to help others who are similarly grieving.

Pet bereavement poses a unique therapeutic challenge because of the deep bond you shared with your beloved friend. As you strive to find answers to questions about pet loss, one fact remains clear: every person grieves in his or her own way.

For those who have tried to get on with your life and are not satisfied with the progress, I invite you to explore the mindfulness-based in-depth grief therapy I provide to pet owners:

▪ Anticipating Grief

▪ Lost or Missing Pets

▪ Your Personal Experience

▪ Emotions and Symptoms Associated with Loss

 

▪ Helping Surviving Pets Grieve

▪ Honoring Your Pet’s Memory

▪ Triggered Memories

▪ Accepting Your Grief Mindfully

 

I would be honored if you would share your favorite photo and written memories of your companion animal on my Pet Memorial Page. I look forward to helping you grieve mindfully through your significant loss and, through the process, discover what really matters to you.

In Special Memoriam To the memory of Mulder and Scully, who died on April 21 and October 20, 2011 respectively. For 17 years, you were bonded brothers and best friends to each other; you were beloved companions to me. May your gentle and sensitive spirits be honored in my Pet Loss Therapy.

 

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