Grieving the loss of a beloved dog during the holiday period
www.healingpetloss.com - Marianne Soucy - in addition to having a great website with info that can help with pet loss, Marianne is an author of 3 books on pet loss, which can also be purchased on line. Enjoy!
www.healingpetloss.com - Marianne Soucy - in addition to having a great website with info that can help with pet loss, Marianne is an author of 3 books on pet loss, which can also be purchased on line. Enjoy!
Pic - LegacyPet
Christmas is traditionally a time for celebrating, but if you have recently lost a beloved animal companion, then you might find it hard to feel joyful and take part in celebrations. It is especially when the holiday preparations finally give way to peace and quiet that the time comes when the fond memories of your beloved animal friend as well as the painful reminder of their physical absence from your life will come into focus.
Expect some feelings of sorrow or sadness
If the coming holidays are also the first for you after the loss of a beloved pet, then you can expect feelings of grief and pain to come up. You have lost someone who was a very important part of your life, a loving friend and companion, so it is normal to grieve - also during Christmas when you are 'supposed' to be cheerful.
Take care of yourself
Allow yourself to grieve and take time to be alone with yourself. Seeking out the help of supportive friends and family can also be helpful.
Instead of feeling obligated to follow your usual routines and traditions, realize that this is no ordinary holiday season when your pet is no longer with you. Look inside yourself and feel intuitively what you need to do in order to acknowledge and support your life in this holiday season when your pet is no longer with you.
Celebrate your pet
But the holidays don't need to be all about feeling the grief and sadness of the loss of your pet. The holidays also present a perfect opportunity for you to celebrate your pet - celebrating the love you shared, all the joy your pet brought into your life, and all the lessons you learned from your pet.
Tips and action steps
Below are a few suggestions for ways to cope with the loss of your pet during the holidays:
Use your imagination and be creative when celebrating and honoring your pet during the holidays. There is no right or wrong way to do this. Do what feels right to you.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Expect some feelings of sorrow or sadness
If the coming holidays are also the first for you after the loss of a beloved pet, then you can expect feelings of grief and pain to come up. You have lost someone who was a very important part of your life, a loving friend and companion, so it is normal to grieve - also during Christmas when you are 'supposed' to be cheerful.
Take care of yourself
Allow yourself to grieve and take time to be alone with yourself. Seeking out the help of supportive friends and family can also be helpful.
Instead of feeling obligated to follow your usual routines and traditions, realize that this is no ordinary holiday season when your pet is no longer with you. Look inside yourself and feel intuitively what you need to do in order to acknowledge and support your life in this holiday season when your pet is no longer with you.
Celebrate your pet
But the holidays don't need to be all about feeling the grief and sadness of the loss of your pet. The holidays also present a perfect opportunity for you to celebrate your pet - celebrating the love you shared, all the joy your pet brought into your life, and all the lessons you learned from your pet.
Tips and action steps
Below are a few suggestions for ways to cope with the loss of your pet during the holidays:
- Take a look at the things you usually do around the holidays - are there any of those things or traditions that can be cnaged, modified or eliminated?
- Begin your holiday dinnes with a quiet moment in honor of your pet.
- When your family is gathered, take some time to share fond memories you have of your pet.
- Play songs that remind you of your pet.
- Create special rituals or celebrations that honor your pet:
* Light a candle in your pet's honor.
* If you celebrate Christmas, hand up a special Christmas stocking for your pet and find some meaningful items to place inside, for example a special toy your pet like, a photo, a little poem of letter you have written to your pet, whatever vfeels right. Do this as a conscious process which is light and joyful, and each time you see the stocking you will feel joy and a connectedness withyour pet. You may feel inspired at times to look at the items in the stocking and perhaps read out loud the poes or letter your have placed there.
* Create an altar with special things that remind you of your pet; where you can sit and reflect on the life and love your shared. - Take care of yourself:
* Get enough rest and relaxation.
*Get exercise and fresh air.
*Eat healthy meals.
*Do a daily meditation to handle the feelings of loss or sorrow. - Reach our for support.
- Help an animal in need.
Use your imagination and be creative when celebrating and honoring your pet during the holidays. There is no right or wrong way to do this. Do what feels right to you.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
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