Psychotherapist and Grief Counsellor Beth Fitzpatrick shares her advice on grieving after a beloved pet passes away.
She explains the effects that loosing an animal can have, and why this grief should be taken seriously.
Speaking as part of a campaign with Dogs Trust Ireland, Beth said, “there is a stigma around the loss of a pet. Those who are grieving may presume that other people will think they are being silly but it’s so important to try and ignore that,” explains Beth, “keep talking and don’t be afraid to share how you’re feeling. Sometimes, the loss of a pet can be worse than the loss of a human”.
“Many people do not understand the impact of losing a pet can have. It’s not just the loss of the pet, it’s the loss of the only unconditional love there is, a loss of connection and a loss of purpose” she explains.
Beth shares her expert advice on grieving your beloved pet.
“ 1. It’s ok to grieve - it’s a process just like with any death; don’t fight the feelings you are experiencing" she says, “talk openly about your pet and let people know how you are feeling. This will help with any feelings of guilt.”
Keeping memories of your pet can also be very beneficial.
“2. Upload a photo and use it as your phone screen. Having a visual of your pet helps you to process the grief” advises Beth.
Pet owners should allow themselves sufficient space to grieve the loss of their furry friend.
“3. Don’t rush into anything – take the time to process how you feel and work through the grief before thinking about getting another pet. It doesn’t do any good and it’s not fair to the new pet if you haven’t dealt with the loss of the previous pet” says Beth.
As with the death of a human, support is extremely important when dealing with the loss of an animal.
“4. If your friend or family member is experiencing the loss of their pet, support them. Spend time with them and listen to how they are feeling and allow them the time to chat about their pet” Beth suggests.
There is a widespread issue of bereavement due to the death of a pet and the perceived stigma that surrounds speaking openly about the impact of such a loss.
Beth Fitzpatrick was speaking as part of the ‘The Big Paws’ with Dogs Trust Ireland, which is a campaign, supported by PetStop, to stage a series of memorial walks nationwide to highlight the challenges of pet bereavement and the importance of remembering our furry companions.
Get the latest RSVP headlines straight to your inbox for free by signing up to our newsletter
Join our new WhatsApp community! Click this LINK to receive your daily dose of RSVP Live content. We also treat our community members to wonderful competitions, promotions, along with great stories. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice
