Losing a pet is so much more painful than most people realize. It can even end in “broken heart syndrome.” Here’s how.
The Agony of Losing a Pet
When a pet dies, the family who loved that fur baby is grief-stricken. Pets are family members. They are there when we wake up, and beside us when we go to sleep. They see us sick, happy, angry, sad, and they never pass judgment. Our pets see the truth of who we are and they love us in spite of ourselves.
Isn’t that what family is supposed to do? Be there in good and bad times, offering support and unconditional love? Some may say they don’t even get that kind of care from their human families.
That’s why Scientific American says we should take pet loss seriously.
The aching hearts of those who lose a pet are often lonely hearts. After her dog died, a woman suffered from a terrible condition called “broken heart syndrome.” SA explains, “It can happen when the response to grief is so severe the person exhibits symptoms that mimic a heart attack, including elevated hormone levels that can be 30 times greater than normal.”
Essentially, the author says when you’re in anguish after this kind of loss, you need to reach out and let people know how badly you’re hurting.
“We need to seek social support from people we know will understand and sympathize with our emotions and not judge us for them.”
I think as a society we can always do a better job of supporting each other.
Crossing the Rainbow Bridge
You were used to morning purring to wake you up and now it’s quiet. You and your good boy always went for a walk before heading to bed. Now the leash hangs still.
When you open the front door, no one runs to you. At night all you can think about is how long it been since you slept in a bed without a four-legged friend taking up all the space.
That’s why the rest of us should show up, be loving, supportive and continue to be so for as long as it takes. There is no timeline on grief.
“It is time we gave grieving pet owners the recognition, support and consideration they need. Yes, it is up to us to identify and address our emotional wounds when our pet dies, but the more validation we receive from those around us, the quicker and the more complete our psychological recovery will be.” – Scientific American
If you’ve lost a pet, I want you to know how sorry I am you’re in pain. Tell us about them in the comments. What made you love them so? Did they have a favorite toy or a sweet way of showing you their love?
Don’t hesitate to reach out to a therapist to help you get through.
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249 comments on “The Agony of Losing a Pet Is Worse Than People Know”
I lost my Sheltie due to Vets negligence. He gave her the wrong medication .
I lost my best friend Link yesterday and I’m having chest pains which is why I googled this. My pain is unbearable my heart shattered! I’m surrounded by family I live with them but I’m in room alone. My buddy was with me fur 9 years! And died suddenly to an infection that took him very fast! He was my rock I don’t know how to go on without him! But I have a daughter who needs me she’s a young adult but rarely leaves her room. So I must go on! To everyone on this page I am sorry for your loss!
I lost my 9 yr old Golden Retriever, Fergus, very unexpectedly 7 weeks ago today. I am heartbroken. He was fine the night before, playing like normal, then had a seizure which he’d never had before. He seemed to come out of it, but the next morning my husband called me saying something was very wrong with him. I got to hold him for his last 2 breaths on earth. I hope he knew how very loved he was and how much we miss him. He loved playing with his stuffed hedgehog and was the most gentle, sweet dog. He never barked, except for at a hot air balloon once. He could bark, he just didn’t. He was my soul dog. I will miss him forever.
Sandy I am sorry for your loss. I lost my Chocolate Lab Koda this past Sunday at 8 years old. No symptoms and just a normal day. He just fell over into the yard with my wife next to him and he was gone in an instant. I feel like a piece of my soul is gone with him. I loved him more than anything and he sounds identical to your Fergus. I have constant chest pain and cant stop thinking about him. I know Fergus will never be replaced but I hope you find a new family member to love.
My girl was a rescue, 12 years old, so happy from day one….perfect behavior, was a watch dog, funny, sweet, a great traveler….always met me at my front gate…I never had a bath without her supervision…..she went downhill within a month or 2, then died right in my arms, never left her side…..it will be so hard , we had so many rituals, she was my alarm clock, my buddy, my love
I lost my little girl 2 weeks ago.I am so devastated I don’t want to live anymore. I.miss her so much. I had her for 18 years people say get over it she lived a long life.
I just lost my soul boy. My entire heart, my best friend, the thing that made life bearable for the last 4 years, had what we think was a combination of a gastro and cardiac emergency. He had a tummy ache all day Saturday and of course I would’ve taken him in right away any day of the week… it all happened so so fast. My heart physically hurts. I can’t breathe the same. He was only 4. I tried so so hard to save him but by the time I got him to the emergency vet it was too late. It went from a tummy ache and having to puke to collapsing in a minute and a half and I feel like I died with him. Jimmy Dugan was the best boy in the entire world, I raised him since 3 days old and bottle fed him. He chose me, and we had a soul connection unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Biggest personality ever, biggest lover.. I don’t know what to do without my boy.
I just lost my beloved girl Trixie on 5/30/24 due to kidney failure. I feel so lost without her! I am grief-stricken. I cry everyday. She slept with me for 11 & 1/2 years. Born on 7/20/10. The pain& grief is too much for me to bear. I just started seeking help from a therapist but I just miss her so much!