Losing a pet is a real loss.
You're not overreacting. You're not alone. And there's no wrong way to grieve.
A note for the first days:
If you've just lost an animal you loved, I want to tell you a few things. Not to fix anything, because nothing fixes this, but because it helped me to hear them when I was where you are.
The first days don't always look like grief is "supposed" to look. You might cry constantly, or not at all. You might feel numb, or restless, or strangely calm before the wave hits. That remembering (turning to the spot they always slept, listening for their nails on the floor), happens over and over. It is one of the hardest parts.
You may feel guilt. Almost everyone does. Did I do enough? Did I wait too long, or not long enough? Did they know how much I loved them? These questions are part of love, not evidence of failure.
You may feel a kind of loneliness that's hard to explain to people who haven't been here. The loss of an animal companion is real loss and measured not in years or words, but in the quiet rhythms of a life shared. Their presence was woven into the small things, and now those small things ache.
It will not always feel like this. The sharpest edge softens, in time, into something you can carry. Until then, be gentle with yourself. Eat something. Drink water. Let people help if they offer. And know that whatever you're feeling right now is allowed.
With Love
Stay in touch.
Once a month, we share a reflection from Kaleel, news about upcoming events, classes, and resources for anyone walking this road.
