Losing a pet

Grieving for a pet, either through death or when forced to be separated from them, can be a very difficult time for some owners. Coming home to an empty house or suddenly having no reason to go out for your daily walk can leave owners feeling lonely, desperate and even depressed.

Our Pet Bereavement Counsellor Sue Kite feels that guilt is often the main reason that people struggle to overcome the loss of a pet. "If a pet dies suddenly owners worry that they should have done more or missed a sign that the pet was unwell. If their animal has been put to sleep, the enormity of the decision to end a life can leave owners wondering if it was the right time or if they should have let the pet live a little longer."

We would like owners struggling to come to terms with the loss of their pet to remember that these feelings are normal. Unfortunately not everyone understands this grief and it can be a very lonely experience.

Having lost pets of her own, Sue was keen to train as a Pet Bereavement Counsellor, "I can empathise with people and feel that this is a very important part of our client care".

At Highcliff we recommend that owners discuss euthanasia either with Sue on a one-to-one basis or with their veterinary surgeon so that they are prepared not only for their own feelings but for what they will experience when their pet dies.

Another area for owners to consider is what they wish to do with the body of their pet. One of the most popular options is to have an animal cremated. We use Companion Animal Cremation Services (CPC) in Cambridge where the pet can be cremated with other pets and placed in a casket that is kept in CPC's Garden of Remembrance or have an individual cremation and be returned to owners in a wooden casket or urn.

Owners who wish to scatter their pets ashes can ask to have a cardboard container.

An appointment with Sue (which is free of charge) can be arranged through our Cliff Lane practice for any of our clients wishing to talk through their feelings.