If your family or friends love pets they'll understand what you're going through. Don't hide your feelings in a misguided effort to appear strong and calm. Working through your feelings with another person is one of the best ways to put them in perspective and find ways to handle them. Find someone you can talk to about how much the pet meant to you and how much you miss them, someone you feel comfortable crying and grieving with.
If you don't have family or friends who understand, or if you need more help, ask your vet to recommend a pet loss counsellor. Check with your church or hospital for grief counselling or The Blue Cross have a free pet bereavement support service helpline 0800 096 6606 . Remember, your grief is genuine and deserving of support.
By Moria Anderson Allen, M.Ed.