Last update: 20 November 2015
He never asked for anything in return. Only a love that knows no selfishness, just a caress as soon as you get home, a knowing look, a little space on the sofa. Animals know nothing of the past and the future, but they understand and internalize that universal language that we sometimes forget: emotions.
Coping with the death of an animal causes us feelings similar to those we experience when a person abandons us. We know that this sentence, so called, will be incomprehensible to many, because many people do not know what animals can represent for our lives. However, these people are probably not reading this article.
The emptiness that causes the loss of much of our joy is an abyss that our little friends previously filled with daily happiness, being part of our routine and, at times, of our personal outlet.
They were the most faithful accomplices of our caresses, our beloved companions who stretched out at the foot of the bed. The first to get up and the last to say goodnight. They were part of the house and knew how to recognize sadness in our looks, even when we tried to hide it.
How can we not suffer from such a loss? The void they leave can never be filled. It will be those memories in the photographs that, even if painful, little by little, will leave space in the memory for unique emotions, which will make life richer, fuller.
We will deal with this topic today. Let's talk about how to deal with the death of our 4-legged friends.
1. Feel free to cry and express yourself
There are those who do not have the courage to say that, if they suffer so much, it is because they have lost their faithful 4-legged friend. It doesn't matter if it's a dog, a cat or a horse.
It is a living being that was part of your daily life, of your heart; so don't be afraid to express the pain you feel. It is true that not everyone will be able to understand you, but there are those who will be able to.
For those who don't understand it, it's not your problem. Your reality is yours, and as such it must be, you must feel it, treat it, live it and manage it. It is the same pain as with any other loss, there will be a phase of denial, one of anger, one of sadness and, eventually, acceptance.
Cry all you want and always take into account the rest of the family. Take care of the children and let them express their emotions too, answer all their questions and let out all the suffering they are experiencing.
Name each emotion, express in your own words what you feel and, above all, avoid one thing: feel guilty. There are times when an animal dies, we wonder what more we could have done for it if we were wrong about something.
Avoid obsessing. You have done everything you can and rest assured that your furry friend will always carry the love you gave him with him. His life was full and it's all thanks to you.
2. Get used to everyday life
It is the hardest thing. Our dog, our cat, were integral parts of our routine, our shadows, our accomplices, our spies and our little dupers of hugs, games and caresses.
You need to know that the hardest thing is managing the pain of having to accept everyday life without your friend. Do the things you always did and DO NOT avoid those that remind you.
If you sat on the couch with him when you got home, keep doing it. If you took him to the park for a walk, continue to maintain this habit for a few days. It will be a way to greet him, to say goodbye, always remembering him. Think about how he welcomed you, how he walked beside you. Remember those wonderful moments and leave room for the new daily habits you will adopt.
Smile when you think of him. Do not remain in the suffering of the last days, but with the emotions that your little friend always knew how to give you. The things that made you more human, more people, in the name of those who have taught you what true and unconditional love is.
3. Your friend cannot be replaced
Do not try to immediately replace the deceased dog with another animal. Each dog is unique and unrepeatable and so will your next pet.
Your dog, your cat, are unique, for their character and for everything they have given you: they will leave an imprint on your heart and memory forever.
Do you believe that dogs go to heaven? I'm sure they get there before any man.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Image courtesy of K. Lewis, Pascal Campion
