Post
Je
Jen
1y ago

how does everyone deal with the loss of pets?

My parrot suddenly died a week ago. Now I want to get another pet to replace my friend, yet I feel so weak. Losing them feels like losing family, even if it’s a parrot, or a hamster! On the other hand, there’s nothing like coming home and having someone waiting for you, always happy to see you, just to cuddle, sit on your shoulder, or beg for food. Our relationships with animals aren’t the same as with human friends. There’s no financial interest or intellectual aspect to it. Pets love us unconditionally, like children love their parents. We don’t have to pretend around them, we can be ourselves in our purest, most naked form. Vulnerable and sincere. When they leave us, it’s impossible to replace that void with anything; there’s nothing like it. The free and perfect love and joy pets bring us goes straight to the heart. Their only goal is to please us, to comfort in their awkward ways. They want very little and give much more.

I had a golden retriever for 9 years (before I got a parrot). She helped me through a lot of difficult times in my life. We moved from city to city, we went hiking together, she was always with me. I adopted a parrot weeks after her death and felt guilty about it for a long time. I physically needed to have a “replacement” in my home, I didn’t find the courage to adopt another dog. It felt almost like betraying my love for Romy.

And now I’m facing a similar situation. I’m not emotionally ready to have another pet, at the same time I hate waking up in an empty flat. Don’t know what to do. I can’t live without a pet, yet I can’t lose any more of my family members 😭

Specialist answer
Veena Choudhary
1y
Specialist

Hello!


For many pets are beloved member of a family. We very often become attached to our pets. Now when a cherished pet dies you need time to get over this pain. It is normal to feel grief, loss, guilty. But we forget that unfortunately the matters of life and death are not in our power.


The only thing you can do about it is accept the fact that your pet is no longer around. It is also important to thank your dog for being with you for 9 years for giving you so much love and warmth over the years and then thank the parrot who was there for you always to help you get out of the previous grief, give you company.


Make photo frames of your previous pet and put it in the living room. Always cherish the time you spent with them. When you stop mourning your dog, or you take another pet it doesn’t mean you are cheating on him or betraying him or doing some injustice. The memory of him will forever remain in your heart, but life goes on. Focus on good things and moments you spent with your pet, the walks, the affection, the connection.


you can celebrate their death day every year where you remember the times you spent with them or visit the place which your pet enjoyed a lot. This way you will cherish their memories or you can plant a tree in memory of your pet or donate something on their behalf.


You to first mourn and let your feelings out. so a write a letter to both your pet saying what and how you feel, how they have been a support system in your life. Releasing out all your emotional feelings will make you feel better. Only when you feel better think of adopting another pet. if you are feeling guilty that by getting parrot or by getting another dog you are betraying him. Off course not, Romy's place no one else can take as each animal is unique and individual and cannot be replaced. It is just an addition to your pets but all are unique.

Anna Salmina
1y
Specialist
Comment deleted
Anna Salmina
1y
Specialist

I'm very sorry for you loss. You lost someone very special to you and it's natural to miss them. There is no manual on how to cope with grief and everyone does it in their own unique way. However there are some strategies you can try that might help you process these feelings.

One of the ways is expressing your feelings through art. Right after you experience a loss, you may have a lot of unprocessed feelings and memories in your head that bring pain. Art can be a way to start shifting this energy and externalize these feelings. For example, you can write about your feelings, make poems, paint or draw them, make music or photo collages. It's not about how good you are in any of these artistic outlets but about honoring your pet and expressing these feelings, regardless of the finished product.

You can dedicate specific "grief time", like 30 minutes a day to think about your pet, remember favorite memories, express feelings through journaling, or even just cry. This can help you feel more in control of your emotions and less overwhelmed.

Remember that you don't have to deal with these feelings alone. Talk to people you trust about the loss or search for a local support group (perhaps, there are pet-support groups somewhere near you) - it will help you to process the feelings. Hearing or reading about people's experienses in books or forums also can help you feel that you're not alone in this (there are suggested lists of books you can find online, for example: https://vet.osu.edu/vmc/companion/our-services/honoring-bond-support-resources-pet-owners/pet-loss-suggested-reading). Any kind of grief is best worked through connection with others.

Don't forget to take care of yourself as well - it can be hard while you're grieving, but remember that taking care of your physical needs can help you get resources you need to support your mental wellbeing as well. So make sure you have at least 7 hours sleep per night, make some time for excercise, do something relaxing during the day, like taking a warm bath or going out for a short walk in a park.

There's no timeline for grief, some days may be harder than others, but remember that these heavy feelings won't last forever and gradually it will get easier.

dk
dknightghost
1y

Losing friends is very sad. Comfort yourself with the knowledge that they were happy with you every minute of their short lives. You sound like a kind and caring person, so I don’t doubt you cared well for them. I don’t think your feelings of guilt are rational. If you really want to get another pet, the timeline doesn’t matter. Whether you do it now or in a year, it won’t change how you feel about your previous pets.

ak
aksoll
1y

I guess pain is the price we have to pay. Perhaps next time adopt an animal with a longer life span? Small animals like parrots don’t live long.

Ka
Katelyn
1y

Unfortunately, it’s an inevitable part of life. My family had several dogs, losing each of them hurt. And yet I’m glad we’ve had them, and if I had to turn back time, I’d have them again. Grieve for your parrot as long as you need, but don’t deprive yourself of more love in your life!

11
1180011
1y

Think of it this way. Each time you adopt a pet from a shelter, you save another stray pet’s life with a place that has been freed up. Millions of shelter cats and dogs get euthanized. So each time your pet passes away after a long and healthy life, you get another chance to meet a new friend and family member. When you are ready, get to save that one more life!

J-
J-ane
1y

Sorry for your loss. Remember the good times. Only you can decide what to do next. One day at a time.

8n
8nicholas8
1y

I’ve lost four pets. All of them enriched my life, so I have no regrets. My mother wants to get two dogs. Though I’m resisting at the moment, I understand her logic. When the time comes to say goodbye, at least we’ll have one loving creature still with us.

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