Here are a few questions and answers we hope helps explain a little of what you are feeling. If you feel you need help through your grieving process, please contact us and we can direct you to the proper support in the area you may need, someone who understands your loss. You can also call the Ontario Veterinary College’s Pet Loss Support Hotline at 519-824-4120 ext 3694.

“Why do I feel so sad?”

Feeling sad is very normal. Our pets give us unconditional love and acceptance and the feeling of being needed. Our pets also can be a large part of our daily lives involving exercising, show, field work, facilitating human to human interactions and many other roles. When you lose a pet, there is often the feeling of a large void in your life.

“I thought that I would be over my pets death by now…what’s wrong with me?”

Grieving the loss of a pet is very normal but everyone grieves differently and it takes everyone different lengths of time to get through this process. There are stages of grief that are consistent with most people and are recognized as typical stages in the grieving process. They are:

1. Shock or Denial

2. Anger

3. Guilt or Bargaining

4. Depression or Acceptance

5. Resolution.

“I have been feeling intensely sad and depressed for too long.”

This might be the right time to reach out for help. To talk with someone who understands and who can be a great support in your time of need. Remember there is nothing “wrong” with you. Everyone experiences grief differently.

Ontario Veterinary College’s Pet Loss Support Hotline at 519-824-4120 ext 3694.

Poems

Download a few comforting Poems

Reading support list

• When your pet Dies- How to Cope with Your Feelings, by Jamie Quackenbush & Denise Graveline

• A Snowflake in my Hand, by Samantha Mooney

• Charlotte’s Web, by E.B.White

• Tenth Good Thing About Barney, by Judith Viorst

• Jim’s Dog Muffins, by Miriam Cohen

• The Accident, by Carol Carrick

• Pet Loss; A Thoughtful guide for Adults and Children,by Hebert A Nieburg & Arlene Fisher

• A Kid’s Book about Death and Dying-By and for Kids, by Fayerweather Street School

• When a Pet Dies, by Fred Rogers

• I’ll always Love you, by Hans Wilhem

• Absent Friend; Coping with the loss of a Treasured Pet, by Laura and Martyn Lee

• Jasper’s Day, by Marjorie Parker