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 Beautiful baby daughter left me on 4/25 she was 13 1/2 and the love of my life, I didn’t want her at first my husband did I didn’t want to fall in love with her but we did she not a dog to me she my kid we would do anything for her and we did my husband Summer daddy pass almost 4 years ago a Family of 3 became a family of 2 she loved her dad so much but when he died she gave me all the love she could because she whew her mommy needed her she wouldn’t kiss me she only kiss her dad but the day he died she started to give me kisses our family 3 was a family of 2 now it’s just me no one to go the Beach with or go to a coffee shop with no one for me to buy things for she my best friend my soulmate, summer had a boyfriend/fiancé dog she meet when she 6 months old and he was 2 I was he dog walker summer and duke loved each other so much he got cancer but he was all better the last day of his treatment was the day my baby girl Left he was there with us and 4 days later he got a new cancer he would look for her and start to crying he died 42 days later he loves her as much as I do… I just want to be with my girl again
We just lost our chocolate lab Cooper on Thursday. We left earlier that day for our daughter’s band trip. She had graduated the night before too. We weren’t there with him, but my MIL was. It was hard coming home from the trip knowing he wouldn’t be there.
I have been blessed that all my rescue furkidz lived till 16, 18 and 21 . Puppy Murray was my soul dog, he has been gone for more than 20 years now and I’m still heartbroken to this day . My beautiful Amber gone 6 years now and I can only start saying her name now without falling apart . I have adopted 2 girls since and the joy they bring is immeasurable, they have brought me back to life . Don’t ever wait to adopt, it fills a deep void and saves 2 lives …Yours and theirs ❤️
Lost my boxer Rosie February 23 hardest thing I’ve dealt with even harder than losing my parent. My rottie is still sad and I don’t know if it’s to soon to get her. Puppy any suggestions?
I lost my Shih Tzu Shadow due to pancreatitis very recently. He was 13. He filled our home with joy and laughter and he made me laugh even when I didn’t want to. He laid quietly by my side when I was sick. He just seemed to know. He had the heart of a lion the sweetness of a lamb. I was devastated to lose him. I miss his night time snuggles, his happy dog runs through the house, those little teddy bear like eyes looking at me when he wanted a goodie. He was the best thing in my life.
We lost our girl on April 12 to cancer and my heart is broken. We adopted her when she was about 7 weeks old and has her about three weeks before she turned 14, I’m grateful to have had her for a long life but miss her love, our walks, her kisses and her sweet smile. I pray that I’ll see her again in heaven. She brought so much love to me, anything that pure seems be deserving of heaven.
Our dog, Chuck, was hit and killed by a car right in front of us. He was my daughter’s best friend. She will miss him for the rest of her life.
I’ve had many dogs over the years, as few as 3 or as many as 6 at one time. Losing my English Cocker Roxy many years ago was hard, even though she lived to be nearly 17. she was a very sweet and loving little dog, loved to sit and rock in the recliner. when she got old and feeble she loved to be rocked. I still tear up thinking about her sweetness. More recently, i had a rescued dachshund, Copper, that I only got to love 3 years. she was a breeding dog and iI got her from an online ad when she was retired at the age of 6 or 7. She hated men and was very neurotic, but became hyper attached to me. It took a year for my husband to win her over but she still preferred me. Our first big trip away from home we went to visit our son at his new apartment in Milwaukee. We rode up the elevator to the 8th floor and settled her in with our sons dog who had lived at our house with Copper. Once down stairs, our sons fiance had to run back up to the apartment. Copper dated our, looking me, got on the elevator by herself, and fortunately got caught before she got lost in the high rise. She was difficult and cranky, but loved to be near me at all times and looked at me with such adoring eyes. I lost her unexpectedly to a perforated bowel and sepsis, but i was thankful to be holding her when she passed. i couldn’t bear to leave her at the emergency vet, thinking i had abandoned her like her 5 previous owners. After 6 years of puppies and different owners, I gave her 3 years of fun, travel, camping, and dress up at Octoberfest. She was special.
We lost our handsome Dez of 7 years to cancer on March 6, 2023. It was such a shock when we got results and after the vet visit, he died peacefully in his sleep by my bed. We miss him so much. He was by my side always. He was my fur baby, my protector, my bestfriend.
I’m so sorry for your loss. My black pug/chiwawah Hugo was killed the same way in front of Me. I’m devastated. He was only 3 years old & I had him since 6 wks. I can relate to your pain. Hugo has showed me signs that he’s still with me like the day after he was killed I was looking at 3D memes & up popped this little black pug that looked just like Hugo. I lost it crying but I smiled too.
We just put our Sweet Ruby down. My heart aches for her. I am putting together a memory box with her favorite things. I include her collars and tags. A picture and her favorite bones.
I did this for our Shepherd and it gives me his sweet face.
Thank you for allowing us to share in our grief.