Losing a Dog: Why Is It So Hard?

If you are a dog person, losing a dog might be one of the hardest things imaginable. Why is it so hard? How to accept that loss, if it's even possible to accept it? Read more about it in the text.

The Feeling of Losing a Dog

Anyone who’s ever owned a dog knows that they become more than just a pet — they become a member of the family. That’s why it’s so tough when a pet passes away. Whether the animal died suddenly or of an illness, died after a long life, or far too young, the loss is painful and can be so difficult to come to terms with.

Some people will heartlessly tell you to just “get over it” or tell you “it’s just a dog.” Those people don’t understand what it’s like to lose a pet. They are so much more than just an animal, and getting over it is easier said than done. It can feel like there’s nothing anyone can say to lessen the pain a pet owner feels after a loss.

What you should know before buying a dog

The grief we feel about losing a pet is backed up by scientific research. A study has shown that the mourning process that someone goes through after the loss of a pet is very much real.

Losing a Dog Is Sometimes Harder Than Losing a Human

It can be more difficult to overcome the loss of a pet than it is to overcome the loss of a human. That may sound crazy to some, but it’s only one of the things the study found.

The thing is, we typically bond with our animals in a manner similar to how we bond with humans. As hormones and chemicals are released in our brain when bonding with animals or people, we feel connected and loved. So when we spend so much of our time deepening that connection, of course, we feel a profound loss.

But why is it harder to get over the death of a pet than the death of a human?

Because there’s not an “acceptable” way to mourn that loss.

When we lose a human family member or loved one, there are plenty of different resources to help us come to terms with that loss. We are often surrounded by other people who also feel the loss, and that shared experience and their kind words can help ease the pain.

Source: The Animal Rescue Site

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