Dealing With Pet Loss

Pet loss is a genuine loss whether it's from euthanasia or natural causes. It's the loss of a friend, a companion, a source of laughter, love, and those little aggravations that you once thought you could live without. We expect children to fall apart over the loss of a pet, but as adults, we sometimes question our own right to grieve.

Pets become a part of our human families, with the same needs as other members of the family. We walk them in the cold and rain and we feed them the best food possible. We also worry when they become sick. We look to them for love, devotion, and a valuable relationship that we can’t get from the human world--complete acceptance.

The fact of the matter is that nearly half of the adult pet owners in the world struggle just as much, if not more, with pet loss than children. Children have a great sense of loss that tends to be more short term. Adults can find themselves grieving for a pet even after the introduction of a new pet into the household and sometimes even years after the death. Some pets just develop a bond that transcends time, space, and even death. A grown man can find himself saddened by the loss of his pet ten years after the fact, and unfortunately, feels silly for doing so.

It is not uncommon for some humans to feel the loss of a pet with greater intensity than the loss of a human, which is compounded by feelings of guilt. Emotional reactions and the depth by which they are felt is not something that is within our control. Each individual feels the loss in a different way and there is no need to read into or analyze it unless it incapacitates our ability to function for a significant period of time.

The grieving process, as regards to pet loss, is not limited to dogs or cats. Any pet that can be humanized in any form is felt as a loss, and not all pet owners only appreciate one type of pet. The loss of a pet, whether furry, fuzzy, or feathered, is a significant loss and therefore should be treated with the respect of significant loss.

Dealing with pet loss is a frequently misunderstood process. Adults feel as though they should be strong and deal with the loss like a grown up rather than a child. Loss, regardless of the origin of that loss, is a process which unless thoroughly addressed, leaves a huge scar on the grieving human.

The first step in grieving for the loss of a pet is fairly basic. Admitting to the loss and admitting that it is painful helps those around you understand better. Often, adults do not admit to the feelings they have, believing they are childish or that their colleagues may not understand. By admitting to the pain, children in the family learn the value of openly communicating about feelings while colleagues have a better grasp on any temporary or subtle changes in your behavior.

Accepting the loss may take a little time. Some people believe that filling the empty space with another pet as soon as possible helps to ease the pain, while others feel that they can not bear falling in love with another pet until after a healing period has passed. Either way, accepting the loss and grieving as appropriate for each person is a vital part of healing.

Coping with a sense of loneliness is common and often kept quiet when grieving for a beloved pet. Pets often provide a sense of companionship, typically more so for single people than individuals with families, but not disregarding anyone. When the pet passes away, there is often a sudden burden of loneliness that can overcome the entire household. This feeling is not only normal, but in many cases expected. The sudden loss of companionship as well as the difficulty in adjusting without the love of the lost pet can lead to depression and loneliness. In our society, loneliness is viewed as some sort of convoluted weakness when in reality it is a natural human emotion. Many humans who experience this type of loneliness bring home a new pet before they have grieved appropriately and then have difficulty bonding with the new pet.

Finally, there is an obvious sadness that goes along with the loss of a beloved pet. It is important to keep in mind that the definition of depression is “prolonged sadness.” It is normal to go through a mild depression after losing a pet, especially since it is not so common to speak about the depth of our emotions which surround losing a pet. However, sometimes the loss of a pet can trigger more serious depressions for those who have experienced a great deal of loss or are under a particularly heavy stress load at the time of the loss. If a mild depression due to the loss of a pet becomes a more serious depression, professional help is strongly recommended.

Despite the fact that a great many humans go through great effort to keep their grief over the loss of a pet a secret affair, these emotions are normal, and nearly everyone who loses a pet experiences them to varying degrees.

50 lbs of Valentine's Day Chocolate...
In February 2003, we traveled from Utah to Oregon to rescue "Lewis", a 50 lb chocolate standard poodle after our 15 year old black standard, Angus left ...

OUR LADY SOPHIE
TODAY.... WE LOST OUR LADY SOPHIE... SHE WAS 15 AND A WONDERFUL FRIEND.... SHE GAVE US WONDERFUL YEARS OF JOY...... WE CAME BY HER IN A VERY SPECIAL WAY....

Born on January 1st, Party Girl!
"January Glory" She came to our family like a brown ball of energy that never stopped! She was stylish and charming. Smart and very "poodle reserved!" Sit ...

My Wonderful Charlotte
I just lost my Cream Standard Poodle, her name was Charlotte, she was 8 years old. In the last year she has been getting real finicky with her food choices ...

My Precious Little teardrop
My Toy Poodle's name was Precious and we had such a bond together. We did everything together. She was a white toy poodle. She was a small little girl ...

Until we meet again, my Amy
I was owned by a sweet and beautiful white standard poodle for 11 years.

Amy saw me thru a divorce, moving from California to Utah and back again....

Kruger Plays Ball to the END
What does an 11 year old poodle like? A yellow tennis ball!
Not a day sick and out in the yard just running and then BOOM!
Just like that GONE! The ...

JRD New test
For your consideration...
I stumbled upon this relatively new DNA test for JRD that is not patented yet...but
see what you think if you wish to add ...

My GoGo
Gogo was a very special girl, from the moment I met her at 1 1/2 months old I knew we were destined to be together. I sat in the middle of the room and ...

My Sweet Little Claudia
Where do I even begin! One day a neighbor asked that if I could do her a favor and drop off a check to the local pet center for she was too sick to make ...

wrangler, hero dog
Wrangler was a giant Standard Poodle I saved from a breeder when he was a year and half old. On April 18th, he saved me back. My house caught fire and ...

Dustin My Little Monster
This is an obituary for my dog. Sort of. Just had some memories to get on electrons, get some stuff out of my head.

I got Dustin My Little Monster ...

A Very Painful Lesson In Human Nature
Feb. of this year we bought a beautiful 3 1/2 month old male standard poodle from Pat Reynolds in Blythe CA. She provided in writing the shot and worming ...

our girl...jessie
my dad passed away a year and a half ago. he was not an animal lover, lol, to say the least. i did manage to have dogs and cats and birds throughout ...

I've lost my best friend
Three weeks ago today, June 17, 2009, I lost Jamie a black Standard who was just 3 weeks short of her 8th birthday.
I feel completely blind sided by her ...

My MacMillan aka Mackie
Mackie came into our lives after his great uncle, Maxie, died. They were both chocolate brown standard poodles. We mourned Maxie, but felt we needed to ...

Jack and JT Luna
They grew up together. JT named her Jack, at 3 years old she was 8 weeks, they were together always if you found one you had the other. This is their last ...

They Sleep Under The Southern Cross
Over 74 years I have had twelve dogs, a Dalmation,an Afghan, an Old English Sheep Dog and 8 Standards and a miniture Poodle.

Ten of those dogs have ...

Jack March 20th 1999 --- Feb 24th 2009
I got Jack when he was 7 weeks old. He was a cute little bundle of black fur.
He cried all night the first night for his Mommy but soon settled in with ...

Oh my Pallster (Pal)
My parents got me Pal for my birthday last year. He was the best present I had ever had gotten. Even though he was an older dog I did'nt care. Pal was ...

Patrick my rescue Poodle
I rescued Patrick when he was 2 years old,and didn't believe how fab he was until i had him cut! I couldn't believe how touching he would be for me. I ...

Iman and Fabio...I miss you babies
When I was about six years old, my sister and I wanted a dog. My parents thought long and hard and finally decided to let us get one. We took a trip ...

my best friend& love of my life
Today is 9/17/08. This day was surreal for me. My Niro, standard black poodle, was hit and killed by a Fed EX truck after he broke away from the leash....

Louie
I found Louie through a friend, that this poor animal was being abused, studded out for Laberdoodles, the owner was a hopeless addict and living his addiction ...

Teryl A. Kidwell
I found Louie through a friend, that this poor animal was being abused, studded out for Laberdoodles, the owner was a hopeless addict and living his addiction ...

Aria
I was born an animal lover. I'm convinced it is somehow in my blood to have a perpetual soft-spot for all things furry (or not furry) and adorable. Despite ...

Mary Lou moma of Rosie
Rosie is a beautiful black standard Poodle. We purchased her from a kennel in Oregon about 11 years ago. She is our best friend and really does love everyone....

Linda's Last Chance- Her official name
Thirteen years ago, after much pleading I convinced my husband that a Standard Poodle was unlike a French Poodle....the small inbred breeds. Not that ...

Dear Ashton
I miss you, my sweet boy. You were my best friend for 18 years and to know you're gone is still something my heart cannot understand. I miss your sweet ...

My Beloved Romeo
March 12, 2008...a day that forever changed me. A cold, sunny New York March day.

Last Spring my Royal Standard Apricot Poodle started to slow down....

My beloved Poodle
I had a 2 year old male bundle of joy. I got him from a friend one day and just fell in love with it.

I always lived with a fear for dogs. I never ...

Dudley
I'm at home today. I called in this morning to say I wouldn't be in. Last night when we got home from work, Dudley was obviously very sick. We called ...

i lost my friend and now what?
Sorry guys, I don't have a poodle, but my dog's name was Timberlin and she was a german shepard chow mix. We had her about seven years. She was about two ...

Melmar’s Rusty Ryder, April 10, 1994 – December 6, 2007
Rusty became part of our family in June of 1994. Before we were married, Sherry and I had both had one or more poodles so we already had a love for the ...

Shadow
I rescued my little Shadow in 1994 and he's been with me all but a few months of the time I've been in this house. I had grown up with a 5 lb. white poodle ...

FOREVER KING OF MY HEARTHARPO B. RAYMOND
Harpo B. Raymond
Oct 21, 1994 - Dec 1, 2007

My Harpo was a apricot poodle who had the essence of a human being. Harpo was so intelligent and extremely ...

My Baby Chloe
I put my Chloe down today. I feel horrible and have this horrible empty feeling inside because I know I won't see her again until it's my time to pass ...

jazmen
hi my name is tera and i had a standard poodle she was black and almost 2 she died oct 5th 2009 so it has not been that long and i have been having such ...

Webster
Webster was a 12 year old miniature poodle who really enjoyed his life with us.
He enjoyed attending agility class every week and taking long walks in ...

Tyler the Toy Poodle was only 4 Years Old Not rated yet
We had to put Tyler down yesterday as a result of his blood work result. A part of me died yesterday as I had to carry my toy poodle onto the table for ...

A Tribute to Blue Not rated yet
We got Blue when she was 8 weeks old. She was a purebred Blue nose pitbull and she was beautiful. We found her at the pound along with the rest of the ...

***Sterling*** Not rated yet
A special companion loyal friend to me was sent to the other side by me due to illness on Easter Sunday. Born on my birthday now suffers no more from the ...

Canis Lupus Domesticus Candy-Cookie Caper Not rated yet
My dog Avalanche passed away this Thanksgiving

The Standard we rescued Beau is very depressed.

We are looking for another one if you have a standard ...

Beau Resnick Not rated yet
Officially Beau of Sweetwater Ranch, Beau was 14 1/4 when we had to put him down. We got him from the breeder in Arizona when he was 6 weeks old. He was ...

My departed best friend Not rated yet
Stanley had a short but good life and will never be replaced. Having a host of good traits like catching a ball, jumping from a standing still position ...

They Sleep Under The Southern Cross Not rated yet
Over 74 years I have had twelve dogs, a Dalmation,an Afghan, an Old English Sheep Dog and 8 Standards and a miniture Poodle.

Ten of those dogs have ...

Vanilla Gibson; where is he? Not rated yet
hi, in 2004 my family and i bought a standard poodle from a poodle breeder in Port Sydney Ontario. We named him Vanilla Gibson. He was cream coloured and ...

Missing My George 3/17/09 Not rated yet
I rescued my Poodle last summer. His owner had put him in a crate outside on one of the hottest Georgia summer days. He had been out there for at least ...

Shadoe Dog Not rated yet
I adopted Shadoe on 2-23-95. After a long struggle with hear disease and diabetes I let him go on 12-29-08. My heart is broken. I miss him bumping the ...

"Gus" Sir Augustus of Sedrick a royal poodle Not rated yet
I have always been a dog lover, when I got divorced, my beloved cocker spaniel Kelly went to California to live as I traveled for my job. I was very ...

Scruffy Doodle, and Shasta Sirius. Not rated yet
Scruffy Doodle (Scruffy for short) was a Miniature poodle miniature schnauzer mix. We adopted him from a shelter, where we thought that he was in good ...

My Beloved Shasta Not rated yet
I write this to you very sad of the passing of my beloved Shasta on Sept. 30, 2008. Shasta, a bishon-pom mix was with me for 12 years. I can't express ...

My Best Friend Not rated yet
He was so tiny when I first saw him a little ball of white fur five weeks old. I fell so in love with him. We had some wonderful times together and when ...

The best dog in the world, Chippie Not rated yet
There are so many memories of my Chippie. He shared the same birth date as me, 27th April (although he was born in 1996 and I was 1980.) He was the 2nd ...

My Rikki Dog Not rated yet
She came into our home as a 3 year old from a breeder. She had been a show-dog,so she spent most of her time the first year we were together 'teaching'...

Linda's Last Chance Not rated yet
I had two standard poodles growing up, but the first came to us full grown, and the second when I was a teenager (enough said there to explain my head)...

The Unexpected Not rated yet
My little dog was only a year old. He had a seisure on Friday and I took him to the vet. You've got to think there was nothing wrong with him, since before ...

Rosie Not rated yet
Rosie was the most wonderful first dog I had ever owned. She was sweet to everyone. There use to be this couple that walked by our fence, and Rosie would ...

Our Beauregard Not rated yet
Beau had Atypical Addison's disease and lived 2 years with it. He was a small, 50 pound, white Standard Poodle. Our kids and grandkids loved him. He seemed ...

My first dog Spot the Poodle Not rated yet
My earliest childhood memories consist of the want for a companion in the form of a dog. I had no idea what poodles were until the day I was told I could ...

Remembering Anni Not rated yet
Anni was my first very own dog and my third Standard Poodle. I had her euthanized at age fifteen a year and a half ago. She was my left arm, always with ...

Standard Poodles -
Dealing with Pet Loss

Have a Special Departed Poodle that You'd Like to Tell Us About?

What Other Visitors Have Said

Standard Poodles - Dealing with Pet Loss

Have a Special Departed Poodle that You'd Like to Tell Us About?

What Other Visitors Have Said

Standard Poodles -
Dealing with Pet Loss