Life After Pet Loss

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Life After Pet Loss

A safe and kind space to help you on your journey with pet loss. www.lifeafterpetloss.co.uk
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07/12/2024

Losing a pet can be as profoundly impactful as losing a human loved one, as the emotional bond with pets often mirrors that of human relationships.

Pets are integral members of families, offering unconditional love, companionship, and a source of comfort.

When a pet passes away, individuals may experience similar stages of grief as they would with human loss, including denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

The routines and daily interactions that once filled the home with joy and purpose are disrupted, leading to a deep sense of emptiness and longing.

Additionally, pets often serve as confidants and provide emotional support, making their absence keenly felt in times of solitude or distress.

Just like human loss, pet loss can trigger a grieving process that requires time, support, and understanding to navigate.

Acknowledging the significance of this loss and allowing oneself to grieve can help in healing and finding a path forward.

❤️❤️

My name is Charlotte and I am a certified pet loss grief coach with BSc Honours in Psychology and Counselling.

I’m here to support you on your healing journey.

I offer a free 20 minute discovery call which is an informal chat to give you the opportunity to ask questions, find out more about each other and how I can help and then you can decide if coaching sessions are something that would benefit you!

If you’d like to book a free discovery call, please drop me a message saying “Discovery” and I will arrange a time that is best for you.

I offer online, telephone or face to face appointments depending on what works best for you ❤️

05/12/2024

Sending love to those grieving this grief awareness week 🤍

The primary goal of Grief Awareness Week is to bring attention to the often-overlooked subject of grief and to encourage open conversations about it.

By increasing awareness, the week aims to:
🤍Educate: Provide information about the grieving process and its effects on mental and physical health.
🤍Support: Offer resources and support networks for those in mourning.
🤍Empathize: Foster understanding and compassion among communities.
🤍Normalize: Help normalize the experience of grief, reducing stigma and isolation.

Grief Awareness Week is a vital initiative that aims to shine a light on the often-hidden struggles of those dealing with loss. By participating in this observance, we can help build a more compassionate and understanding society, where people feel supported and empowered to navigate their grief in healthy ways.

29/11/2024

It’s really important to remember to take care of yourself while grieving.

The last thing your loved one would want is for you to neglect your physical and emotional
needs.

Losing someone close to you is a really tough time and it can be hard to process. This can leave us feeling overwhelmed and make it difficult to function.

Pet loss often disrupts our routine but it’s important that you continue to take care of yourself.

Make sure you eat, sleep and if you can, exercise is a great way to release endorphin’s. Practice self-care and make time for things you enjoy.

Spend time with people who care about you. People you can be yourself around and open up to.

Please don’t feel alone on your journey. As a certified pet loss grief coach I am here to support you through the emotional time before and after your loss.

Please don’t be afraid to reach out ❤️

14/11/2024

Have you heard of, or experienced anticipatory grief before?

Anticipatory grief is the process of grieving a pet before they have actually crossed the rainbow bridge.

For years I was experiencing anticipatory grief without even knowing it!

I’d find myself crying, almost every day, anticipating the loss of my beloved pets. It was like a grey cloud was constantly hanging over me and it stopped me from living in the moment and enjoying the time I still have with them.

There is no set rule or timeline for how anticipatory grief should look, just like with all types of grief.
But remember, it’s a normal part of owning a pet and not wanting to imagine life without them.

If this sounds like you then I want you to know that you are not alone in this experience.

I am here to help you cope with anticipatory grief so that you can make the absolute most of the time you and your pet have together, without it being weighed down by sadness and fear of the future.

Please reach out if you need support. Do not suffer alone ❤️‍🩹

12/11/2024

How lucky are we to be blessed with the presence of dogs on this Earth 🌍

They are pure and innocent creatures with a bond characterised by trust and unconditional love.

They see us at our best and at our worst, yet they still love us.

Our dogs become part of our routines.

They become a therapist, a family member, a companion, a best friend.

This can make the loss of our beloved pet a very painful time and extremely challenging.

It’s a unique and special bond that our pets play in our lives.

It’s understandable that it’s not uncommon for many people to grieve as deeply or more deeply for the loss of a pet than a human loss.

I have used my knowledge of psychology, counselling and grief and created a free guide with tips to help
“Coping with pet loss”.
You can download yours from www.lifeafterpetloss.co.uk or feel free to pop me a message to take the first step towards healing.

If you need any 1-1 support on your healing journey please feel free to reach out.

Don’t suffer alone ❤️‍🩹

11/11/2024

Myth: Grief over the loss of a pet devalues human life.

False.

Not everyone understands how we feel so deeply for animals.

Perhaps they haven’t owned a pet themselves.
It could also be due to their perception of animals, not everyone recognises them as live, sentient creatures unfortunately.

Religious, cultural views and familial beliefs can also play a part in how someone feels about animals.

However, these views do not have to be your views.

It is completely possible for us to care for both humans and animals.

The value of one does not reduce the worth of the other while one is grieving.

It’s okay to feel the way you do.

Feeling so strongly about an animal just shows how strong your bond was.

Other people may not get it, but I do, other pet lovers do and most importantly, you do ❤️‍🩹

10/11/2024

On Remembrance Sunday 10/11/24 say a prayer and light a candle for all those that lost their lives.

Some forget all of the animals that bravely gave their lives too, so let’s keep both the people & animals in your thoughts.

LEST WE FORGET 💓

08/11/2024

One of the most difficult things for us to decide as pet owners is when to say goodbye 💔

We can often be left with thoughts like;
“What if?”
“Was it too soon?”
“Did I do the right thing?”

This is totally normal. Reasoning can still be present. It’s not a sign that you did anything wrong.

You must be kind to yourself.

You made that choice with your pets best interest at heart.

You made the compassionate decision to end their suffering.

If you need any help with your healing journey please feel free to message me and we can discuss the best way to help you ❤️‍🩹

07/11/2024

Pet Loss Myth - You shouldn’t express your emotions when it comes to the loss of a pet.

False!

It’s important and healthy to let your body process emotions and experience grief. Society may not fully understand your pain, but I do.
If you don’t acknowledge grief then it can lead to further issues, such as complicated grief.
I wasn’t aware that supressing my grief could leave to physical manifestations of grief, including stomach issues, headaches and insomnia.

We can suppress our grief for multiple reasons, which can lead to depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and health problems.
As hard as it can be, it's important to acknowledge the pain and face your feelings so that you can move forward and heal ❤️‍🩹

07/11/2024

The worst thing about owning a pet isn’t cleaning up after them. It’s not the expensive vet bills. It’s not the chewed up belongings.

It’s the fact that one day we have to say goodbye 💔

No matter how long we spend with our beloved pets, it’s never enough.

Pets provide us with a source of support and comfort. When the beloved companion you turned to for support is not longer on this earth, it can leave us feeling isolated, lost and sad.

Our pets become part of our daily routine, especially with childhood pets. They often teach us lessons in life such as responsibility. I know that for me, taking care of my pets was the first responsibility I was given.

With a pet you can be yourself without fear of judgement. They offer unconditional love and support with no terms and conditions. Even though they can’t communicate back verbally, you know exactly what each other means.

There are no rights or wrongs when it comes to grief.
It’s a personal journey and unique to everyone.

Make sure that you take care of yourself during this hard time.

I have no doubt that your pet was so happy to be yours and to spend their life with you.

If you need help with your healing journey please reach out.

If you feel comfortable doing so, I invite you to share your childhood pets name and a memory below ❤️

I have used my knowledge of psychology, counselling and grief and created a free guide with tips to help “Coping with pet loss”. You can download yours from www.lifeafterpetloss.co.uk or feel free to pop me a message to take the first step towards healing.

If you need any 1-1 support on your healing journey please feel free to reach out.

Don’t suffer alone❤️

06/11/2024

The loss of a beloved companion can be one of the most difficult things we experience in life.

You can feel like you have lost a part of yourself, as well as a faithful friend.

Many of us see our pets as family members. That elevated status shows just how much they mean to us.

I want to remind you that the way you are feeling is okay. There is no right or wrong way to handle grief. It’s individual and only you can truly understand the depth of the bond you shared.

Our pets sometimes treat us better than people do. It’s no surprise that the grieving process is similar to losing a family member or friend.

Be kind and gentle to yourself on your healing journey.
There is no rush to “get better”.
This is your individual journey.
Healing has no timescale.

If you’re struggling with pet loss grief or anticipatory grief, I have created a free guide to coping with pet loss. Pop a ❤️ below to get your free copy.

05/11/2024

Time passes differently when you are grieving.

Routines are disrupted and we can feel lost.
The hours, minutes and seconds seem to drag on. Especially during the quiet hours.

Our patience can wear thin.

The things we once accepted can become unbearable.

A simple conversation can feel like a chore that lasted a lot longer than it needed to.

We can struggle to find meaning in anything, and ask ourselves “what’s the point?”

The thought of moving forward without your loved one can seem like an impossible task.

It is important to recognise and accept that this is all a part of your grief journey.

We are constantly waiting to feel “better”, for the pain to pass, for our hearts to heal.

Grief cannot be rushed, and that is why the days can feel endless.

It’s important to take one day at a time, even though it might feel like you’re wading through deep quicksand, because small steps lead to huge changes.

Celebrate the little wins and acknowledge your feelings.
They are totally valid and can’t be pushed aside.

Please remember that you do not have to be alone in your grief.
Please reach out if you need support. It’s the first step to healing ❤️‍🩹

If you’re new here, then my name is Charlie. I have a degree in psychology and counselling, and I am a certified pet loss grief coach. If you want to know more about how I can help you, then please message me. I can provide a safe and kind space for you to talk openly about your grief, help to set goals for the future and move forward without forgetting ❤️

You can get your free guide to “Coping with pet loss” by commenting “❤️‍🩹” below or going directly to my website www.lifeafterpetloss.co.uk

Love & Light,
Charlie x

04/11/2024

One of the saddest things I have learnt in life, is that even when our pets are about to take their last breath they still want to comfort and help us 💔

It just shows how selfless and special animals are.

When it was time to say goodbye to my beautiful Miffy, I remember the morning like it was yesterday. Although she was very sick and 19 years old, she was purring louder than she ever had before.

We spent the morning tickling her chin and she would dribble because she was enjoying it so much. How could I say goodbye when she was so happy?

The truth is, she was happy because she had me, my mum and my sister to comfort her and give her all the love we possibly could. Her girls.

As hard as it was to realise, she was staying and fighting for her life for us. She was suffering and in pain and it was so difficult to see. We tried our best. We tried medication. All it did was prolong her life but also her pain. It wasn’t fair. I couldn’t make her stay longer with no quality of life just so I could be with her. We had to make the impossible decision.

She spent her final morning comforting us. She knew it was her time to go and even before she left this World she tried her best to help us. Her gentle head nudges. Her roaring purr. Her kind eyes that looked right into your soul.

I couldn’t see a future without Miffy.

She was my childhood best friend. She was my sister. She taught me so much.

But the truth is, even when they have crossed over the rainbow bridge they are still teaching us lessons about life and grief.

Miffy knew it was her time to go. She was at peace now, no longer in pain. But the pain that I felt was worse than ever before. My heart literally felt like it had been ripped to a million pieces.

Now that I have worked on my grief, I can look back on that day with happy memories and peace. Yes, it was one of the hardest days of my life, I still cry, but Miffy taught me strength. She wasn’t afraid to leave me, because she knew our bond would never break and she would always be with me in spirit.

If you need help to heal then please do not hesitate to reach out ❤️‍🩹

03/11/2024

I often used to find myself breaking down into tears over the thought of losing any of my beloved pets. In fact, I think I cried every day for a long time.

One of the hardest things to come to terms with being a pet owner is that you are probably going to outlive them.

At first, this made me bitter and resentful.

I was left with feelings like “what’s the point if they are going to be taken from me one day?”

I felt angry, sad and a huge sense of injustice.

Little did I know that the emotions I was harbouring were also a reflection of the past pet losses I had experienced and not grieved for properly.

Anxiety surrounding the anticipation of pet loss is normal, but allowing the stress to overwhelm you can interfere with your ability to enjoy to the time you have together right now, and that’s what is most important.

Those memories, that bond, the love, they won’t be forgotten and you’ll carry a part of them with you for the rest of your life.

Don’t hold back from showing your love ❤️

02/11/2024

Common Myth About Pet Loss - “Losing a pet doesn’t hurt as much as losing a family member”

For me, my pets are my family. Losing a pet is the same as losing a family member. It’s just as heartbreaking and we need to be allowed the time and space to grieve.

Our pets share our homes, our lives, our hearts. When they pass it can feel like part of you if missing. The sight of an empty pet bed can be unbearable.

Pet loss needs to be treated as seriously as human loss. If you’re sad then no one has a right to question it. Loss is not a contest and grief is shared with both experiences.

01/11/2024

Our pets are always there for us.

Even on the days we don’t feel like being sociable, our pets never judge us.

They show us love when we don’t feel very lovable.

They offer continued support and companionship, without terms like human relationships.

It’s no wonder that we feel so strongly about our pets, and why it hurts us so much when the time comes to say goodbye.

It can be one of the hardest situations that we have to go through in our lifetime and I wouldn’t want anyone to go through it alone.

I have used my knowledge of psychology, counselling and grief and created a free guide with tips to help “Coping with pet loss”. You can download yours from www.lifeafterpetloss.co.uk or feel free to pop me a message to take the first step towards healing.

If you need any 1-1 support on your healing journey please feel free to reach out.

Don’t suffer alone❤️

31/10/2024

Don’t ever apologise for it.

Your pets are so much more than “just a pet”.
They are a constant friend.
They offer unconditional love.
They devote their entire life to being your companion.
They are the reason many of us get up in the morning.

That is much more than “just a pet”.

Whether it’s a big and beautiful horse, or a tiny little lizard, they mean the world to us.

That is a special bond and it’s no surprise you prefer your pet, who are often more loyal and understanding than human companions.

30/10/2024

False!

Unfortunately, some people feel that the reason people grieve so much for their pet is because they are having trouble with human relationships.

This is not true. Pets become a significant part of our lives, they offer us routine, company, unconditional love and joy. Not having them around is a huge deal. Changing habits and adapting to loss is hard.

The fact you can feel so deeply about an animal says a lot about you and your bonding capabilities. It should be seen as a strength, not a weakness.

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My Forever Pet by Susanne Taylor ❤️‍🩹 Saying goodbye to your beloved companion is one of the hardest parts of owning a pet.When it came to saying goodbye to my first hamster Beppe, I was too young to understand. But when I had to say goodbye to my childhood cat Miffy, who had been my best friend for 19 years, I was broken.I didn’t know that it was normal to felt the way I did. Of course I felt her loss so deeply, our bond was special. Our bond was also unbreakable, and now I have worked on my own grief I can look back at fond memories I shared with Miffy and have come to terms with the fact that she may not be here physically, but she is with me always in my heart and through our bond.If you need any help on your journey with pet loss please feel free to reach out to me ❤️‍🩹#petlosshurts #griefsupport #petgrief #griefawareness #griefcoach #petloss #petlossgrief #petlosshurts #griefsupport #petlosscoach

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