The holidays are usually a time full of joy and spending time with those you love. Experiencing the loss of a pet during the holiday season can be extremely difficult. At South Hyland Pet Hospital in Bloomington, we are committed to helping you through this challenging time. We hope these tips will provide you comfort as you navigate the holiday season without your pet.
Allow Yourself to Grieve
During the grieving process, you will experience a lot of emotions. Some days you may feel sad and heartbroken, while other days, you may experience anger or frustration that your pet is gone. Allow yourself to feel all of these feelings. Working through these emotions is a critical part of the grieving process.
Remember that grief affects everyone differently. Other family members may be working through the loss in their own way. Talking about how you are feeling and helping others can be a helpful part of your healing journey
During the holiday season, the grieving process can be complicated by the celebrations and gatherings that you usually look forward to during this time. While it is okay to feel heavy-hearted, remember that it is also okay to experience joy. Finding a moment of happiness doesn’t mean you miss or love your pet any less. It’s important to remember the wonderful memories you made with your pet and celebrate a life well-lived.
Ways to Commemorate Your Pet’s Life
As you continue through your healing journey, finding ways to commemorate your pet’s life can be extremely helpful. Some pet owners decide to have their pets cremated so that they can keep their memory close. Private cremation is a service we offer at South Hyland Pet Hospital. We understand that this is a very personal decision to make, and always make sure your pet’s remains are treated with respect, no matter your decision.
Pet portraits and smaller keepsakes can also be beautiful ways to remember your pet. Here at South Hyland, we can provide clay paw prints and locks of fur to help you keep a little piece of your pet close. Some families turn the clay paw prints into an ornament keepsake to remember their pet during the holiday season.
Reach Out to Those Around You
Losing a beloved pet can make you feel isolated from the world around you, but it is important to remember that you are not alone. Let your friends and family know how you are feeling and how they may be able to help. Even if you’re not feeling up to it, try not to avoid holiday parties or family gatherings entirely. This can increase those feelings of isolation and prolong the healing process.
Support groups can also provide a safe space to express your feelings and interact with others going through a similar experience. The Animal Emergency and Referral Center of Minnesota offers a pet loss support group once a month. You can find more information about these meetings and other resources here. You can also visit our article on end-of-life planning or give us a call at 952-884-1868. Whichever path you choose, we are here to support you and provide the resources you need to get through this difficult time.
Image credit: Getty Images / Liudmila Chernetska
