| The loss of a beloved pet can be as | | | | Acknowledging the pain, however, helps |
| devastating as losing a family member. | | | | develop an eventual acceptance over the loss |
| Afterall, pets can be more lovingly | | | | of your pet, and in the long run, even peace |
| unconditional than people. If only the amount | | | | knowing that your beloved pet may be in a |
| of love showered on our pets can be equal to | | | | place far happier than the one you can ever |
| the amount of years added to its life, our | | | | offer it. By acknowledging your pain, you are |
| pets would live as long as we want them too. | | | | allowing yourself to grieve over lost times |
| But as everything else that has a beginning, | | | | with your pet. In grieving there is |
| so too, do they have an ending. Indeed the | | | | remembrance. What better way to give tribute |
| paradox of loss is at constant play with | | | | to your beloved pet and what better way to |
| life: we are certain that everything ends but | | | | keep your pet alive in your heart forever |
| we are uncertain when it ends; we are certain | | | | than remembering all the times spent |
| how it will make us feel, but uncertain at | | | | together? Eventually, you will find that |
| how to deal with what we may feel. | | | | healthy remembrance and acceptance of the |
| | | | pain is not only therapeutic but offers a way |
| So how does a man say good-bye to a beloved | | | | that will lead you to acceptance over the |
| pet, companion and best friend who has given | | | | loss itself as well. |
| him its full attention, unconditional love | | | | |
| and loyalty and even aid in daily living | | | | The next step of dealing with grief over the |
| (i.e. blind people with their guide dogs and | | | | loss of a pet is through creative expression. |
| policemen with their canine friends, among | | | | A healthy way of dealing with the death of a |
| others)? And once good-byes have been said, | | | | pet, or any other loss for that matter, is to |
| how does man cope with the grief and loss | | | | discover your own potential for self-release |
| after? | | | | and catharsis. Try to experiment, through |
| | | | hobbies, sports and interest, on activities |
| Needless to say, conditioning of the human | | | | that will keep your mind focused on being |
| mind even before a bond has been created | | | | productive and creative. In all activities, |
| between man and beast is essential and must | | | | always be conscious that you are channeling |
| be established. Man, the rational one in the | | | | your grief and loss positively through the |
| friendship, and usually the bereaved survivor | | | | activities you are engaged in. Eventually, |
| of the two friends, must keep in mind always | | | | you will only realize that your pain has |
| that nothing survives forever, not even the | | | | lessened and diminished. |
| ideal friendship of a man and an animal. Once | | | | |
| the proper conditioning of the mind has been | | | | The perils of not consciously keeping to mind |
| set, it is easier for man to face the reality | | | | the motivation for the activity (which is the |
| of a future separation with his beloved pet. | | | | pain of loss) may only be equivalent to not |
| | | | accepting and acknowledging your pain and |
| However, mental conditioning can only do so | | | | once you find yourself unguardedly |
| much when no emotional bonds have been | | | | remembering your dead friend, your pet, the |
| created yet: once man begins to establish an | | | | pain may only become twice as hurtful. |
| emotional bond with his pet, no amount of | | | | |
| conditioning can ever fully guarantee an easy | | | | However, if you keep in mind the purpose for |
| way in dealing with a possible separation or | | | | your constructive activity, you are actually, |
| loss. | | | | creatively and productively living with your |
| | | | pain and loss. For artists, it would even |
| Man deals with loss in his own unique way. | | | | help you include, as your creations' theme, |
| There is no definite formula for dealing with | | | | your departed pet. Talk about your pet. Share |
| the grief over the loss of a pet. Otherwise, | | | | photos of your pet. Remember your pet. Walk |
| if there is, indeed, a formula, it would come | | | | to where you often have your walks. The |
| out something as absurd as asking a doctor to | | | | possibilities of calling to mind the joy that |
| compose a music for his dead pet, or asking a | | | | your pet has given you is endless. |
| painter to write a book dedicated to his pet. | | | | |
| In a word, what works for some may not | | | | Indeed, there is no easy way to forgetting |
| necessarily work for others. What is constant | | | | the pain of losing a beloved pet. But |
| with any variable, however, is the importance | | | | perhaps, the paradox there is not to forget |
| of facing the pain. Running away from the | | | | the pain, but instead, to live with the pain. |
| reality and pain of loss never helps. Though | | | | Once this pain is channeled creatively and |
| running away may momentarily desensitize the | | | | productively, you will find out that your |
| first few pangs of pain, the next few ones | | | | beloved and precious pet has done more for |
| that will eventually turn up at times when it | | | | you than you ever thought of in its life and |
| is least expected will only become twice or | | | | even in its death. |
| thrice as painful than the first. | | | | |