Βρήκα αυτό το άρθρο. Είναι στα αγγλικά αλλά μου φάνηκε ενδιαφερόν. Είναι από το Helpguide.org. Αν δεν επιτρέπεται, σβήστε το.
Grieving the Loss of a Pet
Understanding and coping with the grief of losing a pet
Over 80% of American pet owners consider their pets to be members of the family, and well over half spend more time taking their pets to the vet than going to the doctor for themselves. They are also more likely to know the names of their neighbors’ pets than the names of their neighbors. Source: Sky Magazine.
Given the rich and intense relationships most pet owners share with their animal companions, the loss of a pet can be very painful. The loss of a beloved pet can trigger overwhelming feelings of grief and sadness. Physically, you might have trouble sleeping, lose weight, feel tired all the time or have difficulty focusing. Your feelings might surprise you, but shouldn’t if you consider all of the things your animal companion brought to your life, chief among them love and affection.
Grieving might take you to your spiritual and emotional edges, so it’s often tempting to try to avoid it. Yet the more you are willing to embrace your emotions, the better equipped you are to live and love fully.
Understanding sadness
It may come as a surprise that you feel so deeply about your pet. You may have been aware, but not mindful, of the many wonderful gifts your pet brought to your life. For many, the loss of a pet is the loss of a trusted companion. As you experience sadness and grief about the death of your pet, take time to consider your pet’s special place in your life. The questions below can help you understand why you are so sad and, hopefully, give you positive ways to remember your pet.
One important difference between pet loss and human loss is that pet loss is often not appreciated. Friends and family may ask “What’s the big deal? It’s just a pet!” There is also the assumption by many that pet loss shouldn’t hurt as much as human loss, because humans are supposedly more important than pets.
For someone who has truly loved a pet, however, the loss of that animal can feel just as devastating as a human loss, if not more. The very things that make animals different than humans often make them more endearing. An animal who doesn’t talk can’t pass judgment or give you the silent treatment or withhold companionship and love. For many, pets provide a source of unwavering love, affection and companionship. The qualities of a beloved pet are hard to match in human form. The loss of that companion can be heartbreaking.
The truth is that all losses, animal or human, can plunge you into despair and may signal the beginning of a profound spiritual-emotional journey. Like grief for humans, grief for animal companions can only be dealt with over time and in stages.
Coping with grief
Fortunately, you are endowed with the ability to cry, to rage, to wonder, to tell stories, and to reach out for comfort from another. The more you use these gifts, the easier it will be to find meaning in the loss.
You might also draw on your past experiences with loss to help you on your way through the grieving process. Some questions to consider:
How do you individually cope with loss?
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross’s book On Death and Dying, outlines the stages of grief and the emotions that typically go along with each stage.
How long does it take to grieve?
Every person experiences grief differently and on a unique time line. Often it depends on how willing you are to feel the grief and work through it. The more you try to repress your feelings, the longer the process might take.
Is it normal to feel depressed and in pain when grieving?
It is natural to feel depressed and in pain after losing a pet. Feelings of depression after death are like a wounded animal’s instincts to withdraw to a safe spot and “lick your wounds.” They can also be an indicator that your usual notions of faith and reality have been shattered, which can lead to deep questions about the meaning of life and impending death. Feelings of depression can be a cue that you need to slow down and allow yourself to feel the loss. You also need to find a way, when it is time, to move on with life.
While feelings of depression are normal after death, actual clinical depression is not. If the depressed feelings continue for a long time or if you are unable to return to normal activities, you should consider seeing a therapist and/or your clergy person.
Grieving the Loss of a Pet
Understanding and coping with the grief of losing a pet
Over 80% of American pet owners consider their pets to be members of the family, and well over half spend more time taking their pets to the vet than going to the doctor for themselves. They are also more likely to know the names of their neighbors’ pets than the names of their neighbors. Source: Sky Magazine.
Given the rich and intense relationships most pet owners share with their animal companions, the loss of a pet can be very painful. The loss of a beloved pet can trigger overwhelming feelings of grief and sadness. Physically, you might have trouble sleeping, lose weight, feel tired all the time or have difficulty focusing. Your feelings might surprise you, but shouldn’t if you consider all of the things your animal companion brought to your life, chief among them love and affection.
Grieving might take you to your spiritual and emotional edges, so it’s often tempting to try to avoid it. Yet the more you are willing to embrace your emotions, the better equipped you are to live and love fully.
Understanding sadness
It may come as a surprise that you feel so deeply about your pet. You may have been aware, but not mindful, of the many wonderful gifts your pet brought to your life. For many, the loss of a pet is the loss of a trusted companion. As you experience sadness and grief about the death of your pet, take time to consider your pet’s special place in your life. The questions below can help you understand why you are so sad and, hopefully, give you positive ways to remember your pet.
- How did my pet come into my life?
- What types of activities did we do together?
- What important life moments did my pet see me through? (births, deaths, marriage, divorce, etc.)
- How did being with my pet make me feel?
One important difference between pet loss and human loss is that pet loss is often not appreciated. Friends and family may ask “What’s the big deal? It’s just a pet!” There is also the assumption by many that pet loss shouldn’t hurt as much as human loss, because humans are supposedly more important than pets.
For someone who has truly loved a pet, however, the loss of that animal can feel just as devastating as a human loss, if not more. The very things that make animals different than humans often make them more endearing. An animal who doesn’t talk can’t pass judgment or give you the silent treatment or withhold companionship and love. For many, pets provide a source of unwavering love, affection and companionship. The qualities of a beloved pet are hard to match in human form. The loss of that companion can be heartbreaking.
The truth is that all losses, animal or human, can plunge you into despair and may signal the beginning of a profound spiritual-emotional journey. Like grief for humans, grief for animal companions can only be dealt with over time and in stages.
Coping with grief
Fortunately, you are endowed with the ability to cry, to rage, to wonder, to tell stories, and to reach out for comfort from another. The more you use these gifts, the easier it will be to find meaning in the loss.
You might also draw on your past experiences with loss to help you on your way through the grieving process. Some questions to consider:
How do you individually cope with loss?
- What have you learned from other losses that will help you meet this loss gracefully?
- What kind of support will help you deal with grief now and in the future?
- Pay attention to your feelings, even if you don’t understand them. Write about your feelings and talk with others about them.
- Don’t assume that the current grief will be like previous ones. You are not the same person who grieved before (though old griefs may definitely come alive in new sorrows).
- Listen to music, especially instrumental music that helps express your sorrow and move through it.
- Create your own art, music and poetry to express your feelings. Don’t worry whether it is “good.” Just do it.
- Move your body. Walk in the woods, exercise or take a yoga class. Anything that gets you moving for at least a short time during the day can help lift your spirits.
- Spend some time with others who have lost pets. Check out the message boards and pet loss support groups at the end of this article. If your own therapist or clergy does not work well with the grief of pet loss, find someone who does.
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross’s book On Death and Dying, outlines the stages of grief and the emotions that typically go along with each stage.
- Denial is a natural response to the shock of death. However well you understand the facts of death, it is still ultimately mysterious and often frightening. The more your pet has been a part of your life, the harder it can be to think about going on. Dealing with the realities of death can be much more difficult if you suppress your feelings of grief and loss.
- Anger includes all of your expressions of unhappiness about the situation. Anger can focus on whatever or whoever you blame for death – even God. When anger is accepted and expressed safely, it can motivate action. If you get stuck in blame, guilt or bitterness, your anger can be destructive.
- Bargaining includes your attempts to remain in control. Sometimes bargaining takes a magical-thinking slant, such as,”Okay, God, please bring back Fluffy and I’ll change this or that about myself,” or “If I throw myself into volunteer work, I won’t feel the loss.”
- Depression is the psyche’s attempt to muffle the feelings of loss. Extreme sadness is often mixed with doubts and fears about the meaning and nature of life. Depression includes feelings like hopelessness and overwhelming sorrow. Your energy level can drop swiftly, rendering you unable to perform tasks we normally do easily.
- Acceptance comes when you can finally feel and integrate all the feelings of loss: powerlessness to prevent death, loss of identity, sadness, gratitude, joy, hope, anger. Having faced loss, you appreciate every moment of life more. Sadder, wiser, more hopeful and appreciative, more grounded, more compassionate, you now have much more to give to others and ourselves.
How long does it take to grieve?
Every person experiences grief differently and on a unique time line. Often it depends on how willing you are to feel the grief and work through it. The more you try to repress your feelings, the longer the process might take.
Is it normal to feel depressed and in pain when grieving?
It is natural to feel depressed and in pain after losing a pet. Feelings of depression after death are like a wounded animal’s instincts to withdraw to a safe spot and “lick your wounds.” They can also be an indicator that your usual notions of faith and reality have been shattered, which can lead to deep questions about the meaning of life and impending death. Feelings of depression can be a cue that you need to slow down and allow yourself to feel the loss. You also need to find a way, when it is time, to move on with life.
While feelings of depression are normal after death, actual clinical depression is not. If the depressed feelings continue for a long time or if you are unable to return to normal activities, you should consider seeing a therapist and/or your clergy person.
