Many of us share an intense love and bond with our animal companions. For us, a pet is not “just a dog” or “just a cat,” but rather a beloved member of our family, bringing companionship, fun, and joy to our lives. A pet can add structure to your day, keep you active and social, help you to overcome setbacks and challenges in life, and even provide a sense of meaning or purpose. So, when a cherished pet dies, it’s normal to feel racked by grief and loss.

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While experiencing loss is an inevitable part of owning a pet, there are healthy ways to cope with the pain, come to terms with your grief, and when the time is right, perhaps even open your heart to another animal companion.

HelpGuide.org International ( https://www.helpguide.org/ ) provides an excellent review article about coping with losing a pet, as well as an article providing guidance for helping someone who is grieving.

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Both HelpGuide and the site are based in and hosted in the United States. HelpGuide makes no representation that materials on the site are appropriate or available for use in other locations. If you access the site from outside the United States, please understand that the site may contain references and/or links to products and services that are not available or are prohibited in your jurisdiction.

The review articles are however broadly applicable internationally, and will provide all users with valuable insights and perspectives.