SUMMER 2006 • V ol. 41 No. 2 - San Diego Humane Society and ...

Losing a Pet: A Heartbreaking Experience
For pet owners, the meows, barks,
chirps and other friendly noises
associated with their pets are
comforting, everyday sounds. Pet
owners are used to coming home each
day to their pets’ loving faces, and
willingly devote hours to their pets’
happiness through various feeding,
grooming, playing and petting rituals.
Because of this devotion, it’s no surprise
that our pets hold a special place in our
hearts. Not only are they considered
best friends, great listeners, and
wonderful companions, they also give
their owners unconditional love; so it
is common that when a beloved pet
passes, the pain felt after the loss can
be overwhelming. Consequently many
pet parents go through the same grieving
process for their pet as they would a
human companion. Even though the pet
has passed, the bond created between the
human and the animal remains.
In recognition of the complex feelings
associated with the loss of a pet, and in
honor of the human-animal bond, the
San Diego Humane Society and SPCA
offers a bi-monthly Pet Loss Support
Group as a resource to the community.
The support group is not only open to
those who have recently lost their pet,
but to those who are still mourning an
old loss, anticipating the death of a pet,
or preparing for euthanasia. Family,
friends and society may not always
understand the depth of one’s love for
a pet and therefore they may find it
difficult to support the grief felt by those
who’ve lost a pet. The Pet Loss Support
Group provides an environment where
thoughts and emotions can be shared
with those of similar circumstances and
feelings of grief are understood and
validated.
Perhaps the most vital
step in coping with the
emotions you will feel
upon the loss of your pet
is acknowledging them.
Facilitated by Licensed Clinical Social
Worker, Louisa Triandis, attendees to the
Pet Loss Support Group are invited to
share their memories, frustrations and
pain in an open and sympathetic forum.
After her first session, one participant
said she felt better realizing she had “a
sense of camaraderie with others who
felt the same way.” Participants are
Photo: Rebecca Pinnick
encouraged and supported through the
natural process of grieving as they
progress through the common stages of
denial, anger, depression, bargaining,
guilt and resolution. There is no set
amount of time for each stage, nor a
specific emotion one should feel. Each
person grieves in his or her own way
and may not go through each stage.
Perhaps the most vital step in coping
with the emotions you will feel upon the
loss of your pet is acknowledging them.
Triandis says, “Having one, two or even
three set times every day when you
know you will spend 15 to 30 minutes
crying, journaling or doing whatever you
want to grieve can be helpful. It is also
important to take good care of yourself,
eat well and exercise even if you don’t
feel like it.”
If you’ve lost a pet and feel like you
would benefit from the support of others
who’ve experienced a similar loss, then
the San Diego Humane Society’s Pet
Loss Support Group may help.
The Pet Loss Support Group is held
on the first Tuesday of the month from
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and the third Saturday
of the month from 10 a.m. to noon.
The cost is $25 per session. To register,
please call (619) 299-7012, ext. 2311.
Ka
16 AnimalFare • Summer 2006