Losing a pet is so much more painful than most people realize. It can even end in “broken heart syndrome.” Here’s how.
Do you have a pet you adore? I love seeing pictures and reading stories about the precious pets people have. If you haven’t read this story about a life-saving Pitbull, you have to! Such a sweetie.
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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236 comments on “The Agony of Losing a Pet Is Worse Than People Know”
My baby died on Monday, June 17th. He developed a bacterial infection in his liver and it was so bad he had to make the hardest decision ever. He was in so much pain and we couldn’t watch him suffer for our selfish reason not to loose him. But, from the moment we got him March 2008 until his last day he would always cuddle with his favorite doggy. He was a special boy and holds a very special place in our heart.
We had to put my best friend to sleep yesterday she 11 years old. She knew the best of me and she knew the worst of me. She loved me anyways. She was the office dog. She went with me everyday. We laughed about her position at the office she was in charge of conflict resolution and damage control. Folks could come in my insurance office ready to kill me over a rate increase. She would come out from under desks and they would melt into a smile. She was the only child of ours that never talked back. I selfishly wanted to give her another day but due to her failing kidneys my wife said it would best for us to let her go instead of her dying alone. Shes a tough woman and I love her that decision I just couldn’t do it. Annabelle was her name and she could turn my worst days into Ray’s of hope. Not sure if theres dogs in heaven but I sure hope so she deserved to get to be there.
I lost my baby girl June 15th 2019 she turned 16 last month she was healthy and full of life she fell asleep in my arms every night and would rub her paws on my face until I fell asleep I am devastated! Having a really hard time! I miss her so much! She took a huge piece of my heart with her!
I had to put my sweet baby boy Capone down May 7th. We had him almost 11years. I’m too broken to write much more because the emptiness is unbearable at this time. Please keep him in your prayers and I pray I’m reunited with him one day
I lost be beloved Poirot… a.long haired German Shepherd of 11 years two years ago on Valentines. I still am in such pàin over this loss… I can’t get “over” it ànd cry every single day. He was totally devoted to me … I was his world and I felt oretty much the same aboit him
We had to put our Labrador Bailey down yesterday because of back pain and unable to walk. She will be truly missed she was a companion for my handicapped son and s friend to me since my husband passed away. We will miss her terribly. I know she was in pain and is happier now but it’s hard because she was such a big part of our family and gave us so much love❤️
This is so important to share and extend awareness of pet grief. The heartache is horrible. I have been my furkid’s fulltime caregiver for 19 months while he battled lymphoma and leukemia. We had a heavy daily routine of meds, supplements, homemade food, all while keeping him happy and content. Each morning was a new day with helicopter tail and a bazillion kisses, each evening was a massive grateful flop in bed, up against his mom (me). We lost him last week, at 7 and a half, the cancer won and we didn’t want our boy to suffer. He leaves behind a fursister, who is lost without him, and battling her own health issues. Our family has suffered quite a few personal tragedies over the course of our boys life, but nothing could prepare us for this. His loss is a gripping, painful loneliness that will take quite a while to navigate through. Hug your pets tight and appreciate every moment.
I am a 69 year old man. I have enjoyed the friendship of many a pet. Their lives are forever etched on my heart. I can still see them I have kept each of their bowls and I truly believe I will reunite with them at the Bridge. And yes I have been with each of them on that final journey and cried my heart out as I left the vet. No they are not just a dog cat lizard or bird They
are family.
Thankyou for this information, I sometimes think that I am ridiculous for crying at the most inopportune times even when I see and feel other peoples pain. I sometimes wish that life is not worth living especially when I see all the little marks made by my boys Tigger and Tuther who died from cancer, Tiggs passed two years ago and Tuther passed in February this year. My family say pull yourself together nan and get a grip. They were only cats, but to me they were my life and I miss their little quirks. Once again THANK YOU FOR THIS INFORMATION.
My baby’s name was Bruno and what to say… he was annoying and a mess with people around lol but with me he was simply perfect, he was sweet, silly, cuddly, he was literally perfect and oh and sooo handsome!! as I was obsessed with him he was as obsessed with me, he was my shadow, he loved me beyond words could explain and i loved him the exact same way back. I miss him more than anything. It’s been 4 months without him and it hurts as if it was yesterday that I last had him in my arms. All the love and support he gave me during the hardest times of my life is what made me love him sooooo much.
Little Miss Misty was her name. She was a Snowshoe Siamese. I do not what she die from. Three vets said she was ok. She sleep beside me, she was there when I need comfort. She kept me going though unemployment. She was my girl.
We just lost our pup, Dexter, two weeks ago this Saturday. He was a rescue and showed his appreciation for the great life we gave him every day. He slept with our son, was my shadow when home, and just loved snuggling with us. He was our chihuahua’s best friend. Nacho is also depressed. He won’t eat and sleeps a lot. We’ve poured all our love and attention to Nacho now. He’s helping us get through this by helping him. We love our furbabies like our real babies. The sadness is real.
My cat was 10 years old. Her name was Girlfriend. She was the best cat I’ve ever had. I really miss her. This is how I got her – I saw her picture on line at an animal hospital. I called and inquired if I could adopt her. They told me she had just been adopted. I was disappointed. For some reason I checked that website again in a couple weeks or so and her picture was still on there. I called their office and told them they had forgotten to take her picture down. The lady said to hold on – she came back on and told me the family had returned her as they felt they couldn’t bond with her. Needless to say I drove right over there and adopted her. She died of kidney disease. I worked with the vet but after two years (in that time she was not in pain or suffering) she stopped eating and had lost weight. Thanks for letting us share about our furry loved ones. I’m a widow and am alone so she was perfect for me!
We lost our dalmatian mix after 12 1/2 years. She got sick and passed before we knew what hit us. We still miss her so much after a year later. She was our best friend. We both still grieve over her. We will never have such a close pet and beloved companion and wish I could have done something to make her live longer. She will always be e in our hearts.
So, today at 5:10 our hearts broke and an era ended. Today we lost our best friend and companion Lambeau. I will miss the walks, the talks, his snuggling my face as I lie in bed, sharing my meals, even picking up his poo. He was the fifth dog we owned and among the best. We always say he was the best and indeed he was, but he also shares that title with the others. He was my friend and shadow at times, running down the stairs if I so much as played a chord on a guitar in the basement. Getting the way and enjoying all the treats given to him during the Holidays and our Pool party. My heart is broken and is left with a huge empty hole….I love and miss you Lambeau, find Kodi, Ivan, Nikki, Primo and Louie and run with them until I get there and we can once again be together. I will always love and remember you, my buds…….As I held him in my arms until the very end, I kept telling him I was sorry and that I loved him.
I ended up in the ER twice since her passing, having major anxiety attacks. I didnt want to be here without her, that simple. I’ve cried almost every day, this month Mark’s a year. My Doctor was like, “well you have other dogs don’t you”? ARE YOU KIDDING ME!! I slept with a blanket rolled up next to me for months. I take her urn with e everywhere. At night I place it next to my bed on the night stand. She was my soulmate dog. I will be broken & grieving the rest of my life. All I know is when I pass, she will be waiting for me.
I lost my dog yesterday at 4:15 pm. Diesel had GI cancer he lived 2 months longer than expected. But his health went downhill fast. I had to make the hardest decision ever. I couldn’t have him suffer any longer so he had him humanely euthanized . My vet is wonderful. She came to my house and with me laying beside him he peacefully went to sleep on his favorite blanket and with his favorite ball. I am a mess. Didn’t sleep last night, have cried off and on all day. Haven’t ate. Feel so empty inside. And even though we have another dog the house seems empty. Diesel was my baby . He slept with me, followed me around. My family doesn’t understand how bad I am upset. They seem to be over it. But my heart is so broken. Love you so much Diesel. Run free
I had to put my Soccer if 22 years to sleep at the end of February, he was my baby. He was always there for me, went thru a lot together, and then just last week mama kitty died in my arms at home, She was 11 yrs old. Got her ashes back today. They are right beside my soccer’s ashes. It’s just hard.. Thank you for the article.
4 weeks yesterday when l had to lay my wonderful faithful friend to rest. 14 years spent together will never be erased from my heart. So hard to explain the raw hole in my heart his passing has brought to my life. Now is time to accept we will never make anymore memories together so l have to cherish the special ones l have. He went to sleep looking into my eyes knowing that he was loved, cared for and always held a special place in my life, the same as l did in his. I miss him so much . Rest in peace Ralph, and thank you . Never just a dog, a true companion.
It was 4 weeks ago today I said goodbye to the feline love of my life. My sweet girl was 19 years old and had been my best friend since she was 12 weeks old. I cannot explain how broken hearted I am and how time hasn’t helped. I understood her time was coming due to her age but the suddenness of it I was not prepared for. I only pray the pain will lessen someday. I’m grieving this kitty more than I have human family members. In a way that makes me feel guilty as she was a cat but she was in my life longer than most people and her love was unconditional.