The relationship between people and animals has changed in the last 50 years. Animals who live with people have traditionally been called ‘pets’. They now tend to be referred to as ‘companion animals’. This change in terminology implies a mutual relationship between humans and animals which has been described as the ‘human-animal bond’. It is this bond that makes pet bereavement , acute and painful.

Dog bereavements and cat bereavement in particular can have a lasting effect upon us. We establish a special bond with our ‘comapnion animals’ and when that companion passes away the loss that we feel can be very deep and acute. For many people the death of their pet is less stressful than the death of a human member of their immediate family, but more stressful than the death of other relatives.

The loss of a pet and pet bereavement may have many more implications other than the loss of companionship.

The absence of the pet especially a dog or a cat often creates secondary disruptions resulting in the loss of enjoyable past times such as walking the dog or a loss of emotional support that a pet offered.

The loss of a pet may leave a lot of unanswered questions, particularly if the pet died unexpectedly or without known cause. This is also the case with pets who go missing or who have been surrendered to Welfare Societies and who’s fate is unknown. In these situations it is unclear when an owner should stop asking questions and should accept the loss of the pet.

One overlooked area of pet bereavement is known as symbolic loss where the pet represented a last link with special people now departed. The pet’s death removes those links and old losses are re-grieved in conjunction with current ones. Grief due to symbolic loss is often very intense.

Grief is an almost inevitable consequence of pet bereavement. There are may myths relating to grief that actually prolong the grieving process - such as remaining strong and composed, or staying busy after pet bereavement.

Grief over dog bereavement or cat bereavement is a very natural thing and should be allowed to happen openly and freely.

Per bereavement poetry.

Many people find comfort in poetry at time of grief and pet bereavement. This poem sums of a lot of out feelings and what written upon the death of a much loved cat..

Hand holds down,
Strokes grey white fur- for a moment.
Cat eyes look forward. Gurgled sigh seeps from throat.
Steel table glistens. Other hand inserts needle.
Head turns up. Head drops.
No more sigh.
Spirit detaches from body of
Proud and gentle cat,
Rises and rests,
Hovers over form of previous shape,
Then gathers in twirl of kitten dance chasing tail.
Free now!
Floats up to ceiling, then out to sky,
Hovers,
Floats higher, higher and
Gathers speed,
Leas into layers of Goodspirits covering earth.
Astro be with you!

Writing pet bereavement poetry is a way to help you to put your feelings and emotions down on paper. Try writing your own bereavement poem.

"Man's best friend" you hear them say.
An understatement, that has to be.
I just hope I was there for her
As much as she was there for me.

Good-bye, Daddy's Girl

This beautiful little pet bereavement poem was posted anonymously, and simple through it is, sums up the feeling the person had.

Pet bereavement, dog bereavement, cat bereavement will inevitably come to anyone who owns and cares for a pet. Through sharing out memories we can ease the feelings of grief that come with that loss.

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