Difficult period after losing a dog
The loss of a dog is often associated with immense grief and can make us feel strongly about mourning a beloved pet. At the same time, we can try to rationally explain our emotions and not allow ourselves to express them. We must remember that every loss is equally painful and deserves respect for everyone who experiences it.
In addition to emotions, we can also feel the loss of a dog physically. The silence in a house after his death can be incredibly disturbing. The animal took up physical space in our lives and homes—we fed it, went for walks together, played with it, or slept together. His presence has been felt through the senses, and therefore the awareness of his absence can be very painful.
Mourning the loss of a dog
How we grieve the loss of a dog is a very individual experience. Grieving is a complex process characterized by a great variety of experiences, their intensity and the dynamics of their occurrence. It can take place differently for everyone and vary in duration. In the case of the loss of animals, grieving can also be associated with a lack of social acceptance.
Animal Support After Loss
Arizona State University's research on supporting people during the grieving period showed that a high proportion of people surveyed were satisfied with animals as a source of social support. 78% of respondents admitted that they were very satisfied with animal support and that it was the animals that best supported them during the grieving period.
If we have experience caring for animals, adopting a new companion can be seen as a way to cope with the loss of a pet. If the support of loved ones is not enough for us during the grieving period or we do not have such people around, we can always seek help from a psychologist or psychiatrist.
Deciding on a new dog
The desire to adopt or buy a new dog is a very individual matter. For some people it may be natural, for others it may be completely unacceptable. When deciding to adopt a new dog, it is important to keep in mind that a new pet will not replace the one that has left. He will look different, have a different character, and behave in a different way. We should not compare him to the animal we have lost, nor should we require him to be the same. Such a decision requires opening up to new experiences and new relationships with a completely different dog.
Preparing for a decision
Before deciding to care for a new dog, it's a good idea to clarify your own attitude towards other animals. In his book "The Loss of a Pet," Dr. Wallace Sife, a specialist in animal lawsuits, emphasizes that such a decision requires being prepared for a new relationship with a pet. "Otherwise, both you and the new pet may suffer due to hidden grudges," she adds.
Visiting the shelter
It's a good idea to visit a shelter and find out what emotions the presence of other dogs evokes in us and whether it evokes memories of a beloved pet. Dr. Sife recommends that everyone write down their feelings after visiting the shelter and that when helping animals, start by supporting the shelter rather than making a quick adoption decision. She considers helping animals in need to be helpful in experiencing her own grief.
Caring for someone else's pet
Spending time with other animals with whom we don't have a strong emotional attachment can help us figure out where we are in our grieving process. We should observe how we feel during a walk or play with a friend's dog. Let's ask ourselves: Does walking your girlfriend's dog bring up painful memories? Or does it remind us of how much joy we had with our own pet?
Dog Care Reminder
After the death of a pet, our daily routine changes. We may be slowly forgetting what it was like to go for walks with him, to give him time to play and feed. Before deciding to care for another four-legged friend, consider whether we are ready to devote time, energy and finances (to veterinary care, training, grooming, food, toys).
Every lawsuit is different
Mary Gardner, veterinarian and co-founder of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, explains that each case of a new pet in the house can trigger different reactions. She believes that experiencing a lawsuit after a loss can be helpful for adopting a new pet. "Distracting attention from the lawsuit being experienced by the presence of a new animal can be good, but it can also prevent you from remembering the first dog," she explains. The emotions associated with loss can vary from person to person, which is important when deciding on a new pet with a family.
"Not everyone experiences a deep grievance after losing a dog that would prevent them from opening their hearts to a new four-legged friend," adds Dr. Gardner. "Sometimes the silence in a house is too oppressive for a grieving owner, and then filling that emptiness can be really helpful."
Advice for adopting a dog
In "Newsweek: The Psychology of the Dog and the Cat", a pair of behaviorists Zofia Zaniewska-Wojtków and Piotr Wojtków shared advice for those who want to adopt a dog. Experts emphasize that the decision should be thoughtful and conscious.
- Don't expect gratitude: The owner's expectations influence the formation of the relationship with the dog, and we never know what his past was like. Experts advise us to focus on helping the animal, not expecting it to reciprocate.
- Customize the characters: In this process, we should consult with the adoption coordinator to help us choose a dog that matches our character and lifestyle.
- Provide a sense of security: The first few days after adoption should be calm for the dog and allow them to find a place to rest safely.