This morning I recieved the bad news that my parents cat vvas hit by a car, and killed... It wasn't my pet; but still, I had grown fond of this cat, and I feel absolutly horrible! All I can think about is the blood stain, and bits of fur I saw on the street, when I came over to visit them today!!! It was just a dumb cat... Why am I so shaken?
Answers:
I'm so sorry. I know what it's like to lose a best friend. The reason why you're so shaken is because death is so strange to us.
When a person you love dies, it's natural to feel sorrow, express grief, and expect friends and family to provide understanding and comfort. Unfortunately, the same doesn't always hold true if the one who died was your companion animal. Many consider grieving inappropriate for someone who has lost "just a pet."
Nothing could be further from the truth. People love their pets and consider them members of their family. Caregivers celebrate their pets' birthdays, confide in their animals, and carry pictures of them in their wallets. So when your beloved pet dies, it's not unusual to feel overwhelmed by the intensity of your sorrow. Animals provide companionship, acceptance, emotional support, and unconditional love during the time they share with you. If you understand and accept this bond between humans and animals, you've already taken the first step toward coping with pet loss: knowing that it is okay to grieve when your pet dies.
Understanding how you grieve and finding ways to cope with your loss can bring you closer to the day when memories bring smiles instead of tears.
What Is the Grief Process?
The grief process is as individual as the person, lasting days for one person or years for another. The process typically begins with denial, which offers protection until individuals can realize their loss. Some caregivers may try bargaining with a higher power, themselves, or even their pet to restore life. Some feel anger, which may be directed at anyone involved with the pet, including family, friends, and veterinarians. Caregivers may also feel guilt about what they did or did not do, and may feel that it is inappropriate to be so upset. After these feelings subside, caregivers may experience true sadness or grief. They may become withdrawn or depressed. Acceptance occurs when they accept the reality of their loss and remember their animal companion with decreasing sadness. Remember, not everyone follows these classic stages of grief鈥攕ome may skip or repeat a stage, or experience the stages in a different order.
How Can I Cope with My Grief?
While grief is a personal experience, you need not face loss alone. Many forms of support are available, including pet bereavement counseling services, pet-loss support hotlines, local or online Internet bereavement groups, books, videos, and magazine articles. Here are a few suggestions to help you cope:
Acknowledge your grief and give yourself permission to express it.
Don't hesitate to reach out to others who can lend a sympathetic ear.
Write about your feelings, either in a journal or a poem.
Call your local humane society to see whether it offers a pet loss support group or can refer you to one. You may also want to ask your veterinarian or local animal shelter about available pet loss hotlines.
Explore the Internet for pet loss support groups and coping information.
Prepare a memorial for your pet.
ps- this video also helped alot with the grieving process.
http://www.indigo.org/rainbow/rainbow.sw...
you feel because it wasnt a dumb cat, it was a good friend.
For most people, pets are a member of the family. So losing one is hard, even if its not a member of your household. Most cats that are hit by cars are killed instantly so most likely the cat didn't suffer, it probably never knew what happened.
it's absolutely common to mourn a family pet whether it was yours or not. there is a beautiful poem called the rainbow bridge which you can find on the net. it helps alot to read this poem. good luck. time will help.
you loved this cat they are a family member your feeling right if you dint feel this way i would ? that. feel the pain talk about it if you Need toot talk I'm Here i know how bad it hurts I'm so sorry have you ever read the rain bow bridge if not go too my web site www.mellamaltamaltese.com
may god bless you heal you I'm so sorry for your family
Millie the dust mops
Because it was part of the family! If they had the cat for a long period of time this is especially difficult. I 'm a huge animal lover and I get upset when I see an animal that has been struck buy a care when I don't even know it. Be grateful you have a caring heart!
If the cat has been with your family a long time look up the poem Rainbow Bridge maybe this will be comforting.
And I'm sorry for your parents cat too...
just remember that everything and every body has been allotted a certain time in this world, nobody is immortal.God might have something better for you in store. Keep a firm contact with Him, life goes on
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