According to many pet owners, their dogs are “fur babies” to them. They are so much more than an animal to them. About 68% of households in the US have a pet and it means that everybody has a four-legged friend.
Many people consider their pet as a part of their family. According to new researches, the time it takes to grieve a pet can be the same as losing a human family member and depending on the cases; it can be even more difficult.
We share everything with our pets, such as meals, happiness, and even loving memories. So, it is understandable to go through all of the feelings of grief and loss in their absence.
If you can understand this feeling and simply not telling someone to “get over it” when they are suffering from the loss of the pet, it will be really helpful for them.
Here are some reasons why it can be so challenging to get over the loss of a pet. Many people feel the sadness of losing their pet and it is actually normal to feel sad.
Bonding Creates Strong Emotional Connections
According to researches, the connections between dogs and humans can be compared to the close friendships that we have with people.
The time we spent together with them and the physical touch creates the same hormones in the brain as when we are doing with human beings. You dog become a part of your tribe in your routine and in your mind. It is normal to feel down when you lose a pet and many people go through this situation.
Grief is a Natural Process
The connections between human and dogs and humans and people are similar. But there’s no cultural grieving process for pets. There is often a support system, condolence cards, flowers, and ceremonies with the loss of people. There are also therapists and counselors to help through the loss.
When a dog dies, there is cultural pressure to move on as quickly as possible. It’s not appropriate to have lower performances a turn down social events as many people do not see losing a pet as something that should be grieved over. But there are also many people who consider the fog as their best friends.
Unconditional Love and Support
An animal friend will offer the feeling of love, joy, and acceptance. They offer nonjudgmental love and support every day, and being with them is the best source of comfort. A pet can make a house a home. In their loss, it’s normal to feel a sense of emptiness.
Every Day Memories and Routines
When you have a dog at home, it becomes the first thing that you think about in the morning and the one that says goodnight at night. But when you don’t have to fill their food dish or walk them, it leaves an empty space in a daily routine. As you don’t hear or see them anymore, it can create an empty space in the home.
Feelings of Guilt or Responsibility
Pets are totally dependent on their owners. Pet owners feel as if they have no choice but to help ease their suffering in certain circumstances. You might feel guilty and it’s difficult to get over it although it might have been what was best.