Loss of a pet - The stages of grief

The stages of grief

 

In truth, the process of grief is not a cut and dried process that can be subdivided into strict categories. Rather, the grief process is a continuum, with each person experiencing it in a different way. Dividing the grief process in to "stages" helps the grief stricken person to understand that their experiences and emotions are normal. Some people will quickly progress through all the phases, while others appear to get "stuck" in a particular phase. Briefly, the stages of grief are as follows:

 

1. SHOCK AND DENIAL

The reality of death has not yet been accepted by the bereaved. He or she feels stunned and bewildered-as if everything is "unreal".

 

2. ANGER

The grief stricken person often lashes out at family, friends, themselves, God, the Veterinarian or the world in general. Bereaved people will also experience feelings of guilt or fear during this stage.

 

3. BARGAINING

In this stage, the bereaved asks for a deal or reward from either God, the Veterinarian or the Clergy. Comments like "I'll go to Church every day, if only my pet will come back to me" are common.

 

4. DEPRESSION

Depression occurs as a reaction to the changed way of life created by the loss. The bereaved person feels intensely sad, hopeless, drained and helpless. The pet is missed and thought about constantly.

 

5. ACCEPTANCE

Acceptance comes when the changes brought upon the person by the loss are stabilized into a new lifestyle.

(Source: Pets at Peace)