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 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.