Pet Loss Grief - Ways to Deal with the Early Stages of the Loss

1. Allow yourself to freely feel the emotions, cry as much as you want to, whenever you feel like it.

2. Reflect on things that don't involve your pet. The loss of your pet may seem to touch every aspect of your life, but in reality, it hasn't changed EVERYTHING. Reflect on things that have not changed -- the things that you did and enjoyed without your pet.

3. Losing a loved one is heartbreaking and although you may not feel like it, feed your body. Food is important and it provides energy for our bodies, understand that grief can burns a lot of energy; you most re-fuel. At bare minimum eat smaller portions sporadically over the course of your day.

4. An important time to find a purposeful task, the focus will help with the feeling of emptiness. Because there is a fine line between, avoiding it and dwelling on it.

5. What are you grateful; during this period it is difficult to think positive thoughts so focusing on all the wonderful things that are around you will speed up the healing and bring you closer to experiencing some joyful memories of your beloved pet.

6. Reach for comfort, this is an important time to comfort you and the association we have with our pets is furry. This can be accomplished by another pet or even a stuffed animal. This might feel forced at first because what we want is our lost pet but stick with it it does serve its purpose.

7. Be gentle with yourself, I found myself wanted to clear all evidence of my beloved dog but thankfully a dear friend convinced me to just put these things aside for now. Steer clear of unchangeable actions, you most likely will feel differently very soon so don't do anything you can't be undone.

8. This pain is real allowing yourself to heal, just know that you are not weak or crazy this was not just an animal. Be loving with yourself and it will take time to heal.

Last but not least, just know that you have been touched by such a wonderful creature. You have been blessed and you have grown spiritually from it. I once read something that will stay with me for the rest of my life; I hope this has the same effect on you during these times.

"Cherish the memories with a warm smile. Smile because you know that pets always feel what you do...make them happy to know you are well." Author unknown

Give yourself the gift of healing your grief; decide to work through it. Too many people's grief persist for years, this only makes them feel upset, angry, and unhappy about their loss as they were the when it happened.

This will only bring you bitterness, and obsessing over your loss - makes that you will only suffer and most likely bring suffering to everyone around you. Grieving happens naturally you cannot control that but you can decide whether or not to let that grief take you over.