Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Pets are People Too!

Isn't it interesting that the passing of a Pet or much loved animal seems to attract much less attention for others around you that the passing of a human loved one.
How often have you heard the comment by possibly a well meaning parent, friend or relative.
"It was just a Dog/Cat/Bird, or whatever, come on pull yourself together. We'll go and get another one soon."
In all my time as a pastoral care giver I have never heard, it was just your Mother, Uncle or Sister, never mind will get another one soon!"
Now to some that last statement may appear harsh, to you I apologizes for any uneasiness you may feel. Having said that I ask that you consider the relationship that the grieving one has had with the pet or animal that has just died.
Just because the life that has just passed meant little to you, non-the-less the loss is very real and painful for those affected by the death.
Here are some helpful ways to comfort the bereaved, Talk about the pet, re-live the good times that it has given to people, talk about some of the naughty things it got up to.
Start to laugh and cry over these antics, this will allow the passing to become less painful.
It will keep alive the memories, while sharing the experience of it's existence with others.
Often people avoid talking about a death and fear mentioning the name of the pet that has just died because they think it will increase the hurt for the owners.
The opposite in fact is true by not mentioning the pet/animal (this goes for people also) it seems to the person that is suffering the loss that others do not wish to acknowledge the life instead of celebrating it.
Worth a thought.
Cheers

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