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”
My sweet Bella left us yesterday. I cant even describe the pain and loss I feel. I am desperate to hold her one more time. She was my joy, my comfort, my peace my sanctuary when times were rough. She made me laugh everyday. She had hemangiosarcoma, a cancer of the blood vessels. Her tumor was in her thigh. She was 6.5 years old. I seriously dont know how I’m going to get over her loss. This is the first pet I’ve had to put down and its destroyed me. She was happy and playful til the end. Then the tumor rupture and she just couldnt walk and I knew it was time. My pain doesnt subside even for a minute. I miss her so much.
 I had my boxer put down two weeks ago for congestive heart failure! My husband works out of town and only home 6 days a month I am struggling with the loss it is horrible! I am lost I come home he isn’t there I get up he isn’t there I have to go to bed without my precious baby it hasn’t gotten better I don’t think it will! My dogs love was unconditional and I could just die! My heart is totally broken! I done a memorial table at my house with his ashes and was hoping this would help my healing process but I still cry continuously when I get home everyday! How do you heal from this devastating situation?
My dog Moses was a brown Spoodle 41/2 years old .he was hit by a car in front of me and the person did not stop. He died within in a couple of minutes, he was always happy. I treat my fur babies like my children, I feel I won’t be able to get over it, I miss him so so much, the house is quiet, I don’t want to go home after work, I have a couple of friends who understand what I am going through, and some who think I am weird and think I should be over it, it has only been a week. My heart aches, I cry often when I think of him. I have only just started eating.Â
My boy Gabe rescued me and I he in 2007. Â He was a biter we worked on that he had be mistreated he become happy and safe. Â We protected each other until I married our bff. Â Then Gabe knew Carl was the alpha and we were safe and loved. Â
We were always hip on hip if he slept in the nook of my knee waiting inside the back doorway to greet me when Ive been gone.  He was always so silly and loving he was my one he stole my heart and I his.  I had his unconditional love and he knew I would  always protect him.  I took care of him when he became diabetic gave him proper nutrition and two shots a day.  Kept him going happy and healthy for 4 years.  He became blind and I became his seeing eyed person He was so smart took paths in our large yard he always felt safe. Â
He made me giggle, smile and pray that he would always be with me. Â
One day I knew he was staying for me when he got really sick. Â I told him I loved him and God had a nice place for him and I would be there one day with him. Â So he went and my life has not been the same nor do I have that happy light and my heart is broken. Â
You left me October 1, 2018 and I miss you every minute of every day.  When the time to go to bed alarm rings I bark like used to or when the  sirens go down the street I howl sing pretty like you used to and tell you I love you every night.  You were the best pup ever.
I lost my best friend last night. Her name was Georgia. She was really my daughter’s dog but she stayed with me because of the prejudice against Staffordshire Terriers. I refuse to call her a pitbull. She was such a sweet dog that showed so much expression. She loved to play with her toy that looked like a chicken but sounded like a cow. She would play tug-of-war with her rope till we were both worn out. We found out she had cancer a few months ago and all we could do was keep her comfortable. I spoiled her so much. She loved braunschweiger and roast beef. She was okay up until a few days ago then I knew it was time. I laid on the floor with her and petted her until she would fall asleep. If I would stop she would turn around and give me such a sad look. She loved to lay out in the sun and she got to do that yesterday. She went to sleep one last time early this morning. I never thought I could get so attached to a dog. I’m glad to see I’m not alone.
Just lost my baby boy Julian yesterday. He was rescued from being abused in a apartment building and I volunteered to take him in. He was kinda feral and did not like being picked up or petted much, but he was a good boy who loved chasing laser pointers, wiggling his butt when he was getting ready to pounce, and sitting in the window and smelling and watching the outside world. His age was unknown but the vet guessed he was prob under 2 years old. He had a polyp in his ear canal the had gotten big and started bleeding and the vet said it would probably be best to let him go before the pain got worse. I feel like I betrayed him and should have kept him for longer but he was also difficult to handle and would bite if you kept messing with him. I love you Julian, I only had 6 months with you but you left your paw prints on my heart and I can barely stand the pain and grief of losing you baby boy.
My true friend Teddy died of heart failure at 12 years old. He was my constant companion and I loved him with all of my heart. It’s been two months now and My heart still aches. I don’t think anyone understands how much he meant to me.  I loved him so much! Sad
My sweet Bella bear.  She was 13 y/o.  She left us on May 16th (congestive heart failure).  She had difficulty breathing but the day before especially when I found out why.  She was spoiled as a pup that my daughter brought home because she was the prettiest girl ever but because my daughter didn’t understand the responsibility which comes with them, I inherited her.  I had many pleasant years with her which I’m thankful for.  She was always energetic, happy & loving.  Never hurt a fly.  She went thru a depression herself when my German Shepherd Zoe passed.  Her buddy that grew up with her, Bruno was depressed for a little while also but seems fine now.  I miss her everyday. Â
Just lost my 12 year old Fearghus (Newfoundland) last week. I am heartbroken. He was my prince.
Kona was the king of our world. A big Rag Doll cat, we got from the SPCA as a baby. He would go to bed with my husband every night, staying till Bruce was asleep. Then he would come back out to find me, hanging out until the bedtime snack. He had lunch today, then about half hour after, started breathing in distress. I’m five minutes from the vet … he did not make it, his valiant heart stopped. OMG…so heart broken…