Pet Bereavement Blog
by Gemma Ridge
The decision to get another dog
Bruce, my Kerry Blue Terrier, was my soul dog. He was born in 2011, and he lived until he was twelve and a half years old. Bruce was not an easy dog; he was a terrier and I, and everyone else knew it! Loving and affectionate to those he knew, not a fan of people […]
Anticipatory grief
It was a cold day in November, and we were staying at an Airbnb in North Wales. It was our third day, and we had been walking most of the day. As we rested for the evening, I noticed that Bruce, our nine-year-old Kerry Blue Terrier, was unusually tired. He had done a similar walk […]
Pet Bereavement
I love animals, and I suspect you are here too because you feel the same way. They give us much joy, love, companionship, and much more and they ask for very little back in return. And even though we know our pet’s lives are short, when the time comes to say goodbye, we are rarely prepared.
Anticipatory grief
It is important to remember that your feelings are valid. Sometimes our grief starts before the loss of the pet, for example when we see signs of decline, ill health or when our pets slow down or reach a certain age. As a result, you may feel sad, anxious, or begin to fear the prospect of your pet not being here. You may feel guilt, anger, or shame for having these feelings when your pet is still alive. Some people will struggle to understand why you are feeling this way, and you may feel confused about this, too. The most important thing is not to judge how you feel, but to seek support if these thoughts and feelings begin to overwhelm you.
Saying goodbye and coping with pet loss
Sometimes saying goodbye to our beloved pets means making difficult and sometimes quick decisions about euthanasia. Pet’s dying this way is more common than a pet dying naturally, but this knowledge rarely brings comfort.
You may be here because you are struggling with the decision you made, or you have regrets about what happened to your pet after they had passed away.
Why my support is different
I have qualifications and experience in pet bereavement. I am also a qualified and a BACP accredited psychotherapist with over 10 years experience, and I am accredited in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). This means I have extensive experience in issues related to loss, relationships, trauma, PTSD and attachment issues.
I am a member of the Association of Pet Bereavement Counsellors. Click here to view their website.
