SUMMER 2006 ⢠V ol. 41 No. 2 - San Diego Humane Society and ...
SUMMER 2006 ⢠V ol. 41 No. 2 - San Diego Humane Society and ...
SUMMER 2006 ⢠V ol. 41 No. 2 - San Diego Humane Society and ...
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Losing a Pet: A Heartbreaking Experience<br />
For pet owners, the meows, barks,<br />
chirps <strong>and</strong> other friendly noises<br />
associated with their pets are<br />
comforting, everyday sounds. Pet<br />
owners are used to coming home each<br />
day to their pets’ loving faces, <strong>and</strong><br />
willingly devote hours to their pets’<br />
happiness through various feeding,<br />
grooming, playing <strong>and</strong> petting rituals.<br />
Because of this devotion, it’s no surprise<br />
that our pets h<strong>ol</strong>d a special place in our<br />
hearts. <strong>No</strong>t only are they considered<br />
best friends, great listeners, <strong>and</strong><br />
wonderful companions, they also give<br />
their owners unconditional love; so it<br />
is common that when a beloved pet<br />
passes, the pain felt after the loss can<br />
be overwhelming. Consequently many<br />
pet parents go through the same grieving<br />
process for their pet as they would a<br />
human companion. Even though the pet<br />
has passed, the bond created between the<br />
human <strong>and</strong> the animal remains.<br />
In recognition of the complex feelings<br />
associated with the loss of a pet, <strong>and</strong> in<br />
honor of the human-animal bond, the<br />
<strong>San</strong> <strong>Diego</strong> <strong>Humane</strong> <strong>Society</strong> <strong>and</strong> SPCA<br />
offers a bi-monthly Pet Loss Support<br />
Group as a resource to the community.<br />
The support group is not only open to<br />
those who have recently lost their pet,<br />
but to those who are still mourning an<br />
<strong>ol</strong>d loss, anticipating the death of a pet,<br />
or preparing for euthanasia. Family,<br />
friends <strong>and</strong> society may not always<br />
underst<strong>and</strong> the depth of one’s love for<br />
a pet <strong>and</strong> therefore they may find it<br />
difficult to support the grief felt by those<br />
who’ve lost a pet. The Pet Loss Support<br />
Group provides an environment where<br />
thoughts <strong>and</strong> emotions can be shared<br />
with those of similar circumstances <strong>and</strong><br />
feelings of grief are understood <strong>and</strong><br />
validated.<br />
Perhaps the most vital<br />
step in coping with the<br />
emotions you will feel<br />
upon the loss of your pet<br />
is acknowledging them.<br />
Facilitated by Licensed Clinical Social<br />
Worker, Louisa Tri<strong>and</strong>is, attendees to the<br />
Pet Loss Support Group are invited to<br />
share their memories, frustrations <strong>and</strong><br />
pain in an open <strong>and</strong> sympathetic forum.<br />
After her first session, one participant<br />
said she felt better realizing she had “a<br />
sense of camaraderie with others who<br />
felt the same way.” Participants are<br />
Photo: Rebecca Pinnick<br />
encouraged <strong>and</strong> supported through the<br />
natural process of grieving as they<br />
progress through the common stages of<br />
denial, anger, depression, bargaining,<br />
guilt <strong>and</strong> res<strong>ol</strong>ution. There is no set<br />
amount of time for each stage, nor a<br />
specific emotion one should feel. Each<br />
person grieves in his or her own way<br />
<strong>and</strong> may not go through each stage.<br />
Perhaps the most vital step in coping<br />
with the emotions you will feel upon the<br />
loss of your pet is acknowledging them.<br />
Tri<strong>and</strong>is says, “Having one, two or even<br />
three set times every day when you<br />
know you will spend 15 to 30 minutes<br />
crying, journaling or doing whatever you<br />
want to grieve can be helpful. It is also<br />
important to take good care of yourself,<br />
eat well <strong>and</strong> exercise even if you don’t<br />
feel like it.”<br />
If you’ve lost a pet <strong>and</strong> feel like you<br />
would benefit from the support of others<br />
who’ve experienced a similar loss, then<br />
the <strong>San</strong> <strong>Diego</strong> <strong>Humane</strong> <strong>Society</strong>’s Pet<br />
Loss Support Group may help.<br />
The Pet Loss Support Group is held<br />
on the first Tuesday of the month from<br />
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. <strong>and</strong> the third Saturday<br />
of the month from 10 a.m. to noon.<br />
The cost is $25 per session. To register,<br />
please call (619) 299-7012, ext. 2311.<br />
Ka<br />
16 AnimalFare • Summer <strong>2006</strong>