This is a space for anyone who is coping with the death of a pet to find support and talk to others who understand.
One aspect that can make grieving for your pet so difficult is that your feelings are not appreciated by those around you. You may hear people say “what’s the big deal?” because they assume that dealing with the death of a pet shouldn’t hurt as much as dealing with the death of a family member or friend, or because they don’t think it’s normal to grieve for an animal.
This might be because they don’t have a pet of their own, or because they’re unable to appreciate the companionship and love that a pet can provide.
Some people also don’t understand that the death of a pet can also trigger memories of a previous bereavement, meaning it can leave you feeling like you’re grieving that person all over again, as well as your pet.
In this section, you can talk to others who understand.
If you need further support, you may wish to get in touch with Blue Cross Pet Loss support. They have trained counsellors who can talk you through your loss. You can speak to them on the phone or online. Their helpline is 0800 096 6606 and is open from 8.30am - 8.30pm every day.
They also have a Facebook community which you may wish to join. You can find out more about the support they offer here.