| Have you ever witnessed a friend or neighbor | | | | differences, some demonstrative others very |
| distraught over the death of a pet? If you have | | | | reserved. Do not judge the depth of grief by |
| never owned a pet, or considered having one, | | | | outside appearances. Respect all expressions of |
| were you surprised to see someone crying? | | | | grief. Some individuals will hide their grief over fear |
| Actually, such a response is just as normal as | | | | others will ridicule their behavior. Be sure to include |
| when a close friend or loved one dies. | | | | children in learning about grief and death through |
| Here's what you should know about helping | | | | the death of the pet. |
| someone who is mourning the death of a pet | | | | 6. Keep in mind, especially with older adults living |
| since there is great sorrow involved that can go | | | | alone, some companion animals may be the only |
| on for long periods of time. | | | | family the person has. Thus the animal is one of |
| 1. Just as in the death of a friend or family | | | | the few or perhaps the only one the mourner |
| member (and most animals are considered part | | | | received unconditional love from. |
| of the family), grief is to be expected due to the | | | | 7. If other losses have preceded the death of a |
| degree of emotional investment in the object of | | | | pet, it can make the pet death more difficult to |
| loss. Emotional investment means caring and | | | | deal with. For example, if a pet owner has had to |
| concern; it is love in-depth. Only the mourner | | | | give up driving, has had a debilitating illness, has |
| knows the depth of that investment. Sometimes | | | | had friends move away, or experienced the |
| pet grief is more intense than the grief associated | | | | death of a loved one, these or other losses can |
| with the death of a loved one. | | | | easily result in bereavement overload. The |
| 2. Give permission to show emotion by something | | | | mourner will especially need a nurturing and |
| you say or do. Give the person a hug and say, | | | | understanding community at this time of transition. |
| "This must bring deep hurt" or "I'm so sorry to | | | | 8. Guilt, anger or depression can also be |
| hear that." Use the name of the pet when you | | | | associated with pet loss. Guilt is the most |
| can. Recognize how close the relationship was | | | | common reaction, especially if the owner had to |
| between the pet and the mourner and encourage | | | | have the pet euthanized, was not there when the |
| him/her to talk about the illness or what led up to | | | | pet died, or did not recognize the illness until the |
| the death. | | | | later stages. |
| 3. Offer to be of service in some way. Bring food | | | | 9. Help create or suggest a memorial. A picture, |
| over to the home, if appropriate. Go with the | | | | toy, or collar can be used as a way to honor or |
| owner to the pet cemetery. Provide | | | | remember the pet. An object belonging to the |
| transportation. Simply showing you are aware of | | | | animal can be encased in Lucite or placed on a |
| the impact of the death will be of great help to | | | | shelf that can be easily viewed. |
| your friend. | | | | No longer do pets play a low key role in homes |
| 4. Review the relationship the person had with the | | | | throughout the country. Rather, they have come |
| pet in a gentle caring way. Ask questions | | | | to fill the role of companion, supporter, and old |
| regarding how long the pet was part of the family | | | | friend. Consequently, the death of a pet can |
| and where he/she came from. Encourage story | | | | become a major grief experience for the young |
| telling involving what the pet did or did not do. All | | | | or old alike. Become sensitive to the role the |
| of this will give you a better idea of what the loss | | | | animal played in the life of the family and you will |
| means to the person. | | | | be better equipped to provide ongoing support |
| 5. Grief over the death of a beloved animal is just | | | | and appropriate remembrances that will be |
| as individual as grief over the death of a family | | | | immensely helpful in the months ahead. |
| member. There will be a wide range of | | | | |