Pets are no less a part of the family than anyone else, and their unwavering love is in part what makes their loss so difficult to cope with. Here at Abriola Parkview Funeral Home in Trumbull, CT, we understand that pets and their owners share a unique bond, and losing a beloved animal can be every bit as painful as mourning a person. While nothing can erase the pain, we hope you may find some comfort with our grief counseling tips.

First and foremost, don’t feel you need to justify your grief to anyone who may think your beloved pet was “just an animal.” For those who haven’t had the special joy of bonding with a dog, cat, or other animal, it may be difficult to understand the unconditional love a pet provides. Know that mourning is natural and even healthy, and allow yourself the time to grieve.

Another factor to be mindful of after a pet has passed is that you may experience a range of emotions following your loss. In addition to the immense sadness and loneliness most pet owners experience after losing their companion, many also feel anger or guilt. The anger may be a result of feeling that you were robbed of spending more time with your pet, and the guilt is often felt by pet owners who had to make the difficult decision to euthanize their pet after they struggled with an illness or pain.

While guilt is a natural response, it’s important not to blame yourself. Pets aren’t able to tell us when they’re suffering, but if signs have shown they were struggling, allowing your animal to have peace is the most humane thing to do. Accepting their loss, however, is easier said than done. If you’re having difficulty coping with the passing of your companion, you can seek out grief counseling experts who specialize in the loss of pets.

For additional grief counseling resources, feel free to visit our funeral home online and on Facebook. Our team at Abriola Parkview Funeral Home is also just a phone call away, and you can reach us at (203) 373-1013.