When a loved one dies, it feels like the world has stopped, and we are left with a deep hole inside – it almost feels as if a piece of us has been ripped from our body.

Many people deal with a death by avoiding the pain –it’s too overwhelming – and what does it accomplish to wallow in the sadness. We find ways to distract ourselves in the hopes of feeling better quickly. Our society supports this concept. But, the pain does not completely go away. It may seem to, but it’s still there. And when another loss happens, we face that on top of all the other losses we never worked through.

Those of us who love our animals, love them as a member of our family. Those who do not have animals, do not understand this concept. All of this makes it very difficult grieve, and most of us do not know how.