Guilt can also be experienced when a pet is ill or if a pet owner is unable to spend as much time with the pet(s) as s/he would like. Have you experienced "pet owner guilt" in your life?
Lotsie was diagnosed unexpectedly with osteosarcoma, a painful cancer of the bone. In my heart, I knew it was the right thing for Lotsie and I tried to take comfort in the fact that she had a very excellent, happy, and healthy life. She brought so much joy to my family and to schools and nursing homes when she worked as a pet therapy dog. Focusing on these aspects helped with my grief over her loss.
Losing a pet to old age, illness or injury is never easy, even when the pet is "put to sleep" as gently as possible. As if the loss itself isn't enough, many pet owners also deal with guilt in one form or another. This can really hinder the healing process. In this article, a viewer is suffering from a tragic loss and dealing with a huge amount of guilt.
Today, with pets living longer, healthier lives and enjoying such an integral position in the human family, grief over losing a pet is a serious concern. Thankfully, fellow pet lovers, veterinary schools and counseling professionals now offer a wide variety of resources for those experiencing the pain of losing a dearly loved pet. This article highlights the stages of grief and some of the various resources available.
Pet loss & grief support hotlines for phone, email and local area support and counseling.
