by Penny B

Created on: September 11, 2008

If you have ever lost a beloved pet, it can sometimes be hard for other family members, friends or work colleagues to understand your sadness and grief. Unfortunately, some might even go so far as to suggest that you "just" adopt another pet, or worse yet, that it was "just" an animal, get over it. If this is how they feel about animals in general, then how could they ever possibly understand the agonizing pain and loss that you are going through?

If you feel you will never get the support and understanding you need from those around you, after losing a pet, then perhaps bereavement counseling might be a good option for you.

Pets become so much a part of lives and families when we adopt and bring them home. For many, they become as important as our children or other family members. Still, for many pet lovers, their pets "are" their children. We see them each and every day. We make them a part of our lives, spending time and experiences with them. We talk to them as if they could answer us back. Each and every pet exhibits its own unique personality. They give us unconditional love and companionship so effortlessly, unlike many human counterparts.

Sadly, our pets just don't live as long as we do. We are only blessed with their presence for a mere ten to fifteen years, generally, as their life spans are a fraction of ours. Pets can also be prone to so many illnesses, just as humans can. This can shorten their life span by even more years. It may be inevitable that you might have to say "goodbye" to your beloved pet long before you ever hoped you would have to.

To lose a pet is just as devastating to the pet lover as losing a family member. Once gone, you are reminded daily of the emptiness that lingers. No longer will your pet come to you, snuggling up against you as you watch television, read a book or climb into bed. They are no longer there to listen to the cares and worries of your day with non-judgmental attention and affection. They are no longer there to greet you at the door when you come home, making you feel as though you are the most important person in the world. And to your pet, you are.

The constant reminder of their absence, once gone, can leave many pet owners in a state of severe depression. This is a true and valid condition, no different than having a family member pass away. Many people can have an extremely hard time dealing with the loss and now empty spaces. This is when counseling can be beneficial, helping to overcome the emptiness, the loss

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