Dealing With Grief: What Happens When We Lose Our Best Friend?

Crossing the Bridge

What happens to us when our furry friends get their wings? All of a sudden our loved ones are farther from us than ever before. Dealing with the loss of pets is by no means an easy thing to do. Knowing what to do when your dog dies is by no means a given.

When a pet dies, we all grieve in our own way, so give yourself the time to work through it on your own time. Dealing with the loss of a pet is certainly easier with support. Our pet door experts gathered a few questions and concerns from pet parents to learn how to deal with the loss of a pet.

When Will it Get Better?

There is never a “right” answer to this question. After losing a pet, it is not uncommon to hear “with time it will get better.” While it may get old, it could be hard for others to empathize if they have never experienced the death of a pet. When a pet passes, it changes Everyone is different when it comes to grieving the loss of a pet.

After the loss of a pet, grief is an individual process. Your four-legged angel has reached their peak happiness, living a life full of love. While you will always hold the weight of the loss of a dog or cat (or any other pet) in your heart, at a certain point you can reach a peace of mind knowing that they lived a full and happy life. Remember not to blame yourself. Revisiting that kind of negative thinking will only hurt you more in the long run.

Seeking Support

Online forums are a great resource to connect with others struggling with a pet death, and seeking solace just like you. Here, you may be able to get the kind of consolation you need. Find people you trust.

Asking your vet or friend whether they would go through certain procedures may not give you the answer you want to hear. Asking, “what would you do?” is a powerful question that can put extreme pressure on whomever you are asking. Not everyone will be able to identify with your experience, so be sure to share and seek advice conscientiously. 

Thinking of Getting Another Pet?

Allow yourself ample time to consider when you are ready to bring in a new family member. Getting a new pet does not mean you are done grieving, nor does it imply you did not take enough time to do so. Everything is at your own pace. For some, an empty home can speed up the healing process with the help of a new friend.  

Additionally, another pet does not indicate being a “replacement.” You can never replace a relationship, you can simply create new, meaningful bonds. Please only adopt a new pet into the family when you are confident you have worked through your grief to a point you feel comfortable with so that you can provide your new furry friend with the best care possible (and keep taking care of yourself!). 

Meet a PetDoors.com Angel

He could have been referred to as a ‘gentle giant’ in his heyday. Hugo, when adopted, was supposed to be about 35-40 pounds in weight. Turns out he ended up being 65 pounds! Hugo was raised with cats, granting him versatile friendships and breaking the stereotypes.

Hugo was especially unique in that he catered to his audience. He knew to be gentle with the frail and elderly while putting on a playful act for the kids. His favorite pastime was walking, where he and his dad made the best memories. Hugo remains part of our family here where he became a Senior Intern due to overwhelming experience with filing paperwork.

He had hair like Velcro, which may be a reason why so many gravitated toward him. We hope through it all, you find peace knowing your life with a best friend meant the world to them. Love, PetDoors.com