Can a Pet Loss Support Group Help?
When we lose a beloved companion animal, we need to acknowledge our loss, express our grief and work through our pain. Friends, family members and even co-workers may not fully understand our grief. A Pet Loss Support Group may be the only place where we can feel safe to freely express our feelings, to those who are experiencing the same feelings of pain. We need to talk about our loss, and this may outlast the willingness of those immediately around us to listen. Often we have a Personalized Pet Memorial, photos, and stories or tributes to our pet we need to share with someone. So, a Pet Loss Support group may be the only place we can go to be among others who undertand, and where we can still talk about the pets we have loved and lost.
Pet Loss Support Groups provide structure and make certain that everyone in the group feels safe to express their feelings, no matter how tender. Many of us feel awkward or self-conscious about expressing our grief when an animal we love is terminally ill, has gone missing, or has died. Some people aren’t even sure if they have the legitimate right to grieve the loss of their pets. Our culture doesn’t help much with this kind of loss either. There is no automatic time off from work, and there aren’t any formal, public or socially accepted rituals where sorrow can be shared and support obtained from others when it comes to our pets. But studies show that the more support and understanding we get from others around us, the sooner we’ll come to terms with our loss and the better we’ll cope with our grief.
You can find a Pet Loss Support Group in the yellow pages or local newspaper. You may also ask your veterinarian, a local radio or television station, a pet cemetery, a Humane Society agent or even pet groomer if they know of any groups in your area. Many organizations maintain directories of such organizations specializing in pet loss. Once you have found a group, make sure it is made up of grievers with whom you can identify and is run by someone knowlegeable about the human-animal bond and the grieving process.
In my work as an animal chaplain and speaker, I try to console people who are struggling with grief over the loss of a beloved companion animal. On the whole, our society discounts the validity of such strong emotions when they are directed at our dear nonhuman friends. We are made to feel somehow defective for being heartbroken when a pet dies. Being able to share these feelings in a safe, compassionate setting with others who understand is invaluable to our healing. In my book, I made sure to include numerous connections to resources for pet loss support, such as ChancesSpot.org, an online site for grieving pet parents. It is also vital that, once the strongest flow of tears has slowed, we also take time to celebrate and memorialize the lives of these precious animals. Then, when we’re ready, we can open our hearts once again to another animal in need and know we’re honoring the lessons in unconditional love our pets spent their lives teaching us.
Thank you for your wonderful comments. I appreciate your contribution to my blog.
Sincerely,
Treasured Friend Memorials