How Do You Cope When A Pet Dies?

Death Of A Pet

Death is an inevitable part of life and it is something that all pet-owners will have to face eventually. Here in the United States, the number of pet owners continues to grow every year. Right now, over 290 million Americans own nearly 378 million pets. With a $36.3 billion dollar pet industry in full swing, it seems that people aren't bashful about spending money on their pets, either. In fact, 55% of dog owners and 37% of cat owners even buy their pets gifts during the holiday season. The growing attachment that we seem to have to our pets means a growing number of people suffer great emotional distress at the loss of their pets.

One of the hardest things in life to deal with can be the loss of a pet. People of all ages develop strong emotional attachments to their pets. After Hurricane Katrina, it was widely reported that many hurricane victims refused to be evacuated because they simply did not want to leave their pets behind. It's clear that pets are valued as beloved companions and family members, and their loss can cut every bit as deep.

"When a beloved animal companion dies, we are faced with a profound sense of loss, and our faith and belief in God and our religion may even be tested," says Diane Pomerance, Ph.D., grief counselor and author of the new book, Finding Peace: After the Loss of a Loved Animal Companion (Polaire Publications, 2006). "For many of us, the loss of our one true and constant friend---one who is pure of heart, faithful, and full of love - can somehow be the most devastating and disturbing loss of all."

As a certified Grief Recovery Specialist and the owner of fifteen dogs herself, Dr. Pomerance truly understands what animal-lovers go through after losing a pet. "The pain can be numbing and immobilizing," she says. Dr. Pomerance stresses that your grief is not trivial and should not be treated as such.

The loss of a pet can be especially difficult because there are so many people who don't understand how significant the bonds between pet and owner can be. People often struggle with the grieving process because there are no public comforting rituals such as funerals, memorial services and wakes held on behalf of animals. People often wonder how to express their grief in an acceptable manner.

"It's absolutely healthy for us to acknowledge openly and honestly and to express all of our feelings, and that we are missing and grieving the loss of one we dearly and truly loved," says Dr. Pomerance. "We should never be embarrassed to express our true feelings to friends and family members who are sympathetic and empathetic."

Dr. Pomerance's latest book, Finding Peace, represents the culmination of her four previous books that dealt with our relationship with our animal companions and the remarkable gifts and profound lessons they bring to us. It is her sincere hope that the book will serve as both a spiritual resource as well as a practical guide to help people cope with and recover from the grieving process and life's adversities. "It's important to know that we can recover from our losses and ultimately find the peace that we need to move on," she says. In addition to helping people recognize and confront their grief, Dr. Pomerance wants to help people find their way through and beyond grief and loss of any kind.