Wellbeing
Grief and loss in recovery—including the loss of a pet
A compassionate guide to making room for grief, including losses that other people may not fully recognise.
Grief is broader than bereavement
Grief can follow the death of a person, the end of a relationship, changes in health or identity, loss of work or community, infertility, migration, trauma and many other life changes. Several losses can overlap.
There is no correct timetable and no single sequence of stages that everyone follows. Feelings may change from day to day, and moments of relief or enjoyment do not diminish the significance of the loss.
Pet loss is real loss
A companion animal can be part of daily routine, safety, identity and family life. Their death—or separation from them—can leave a profound absence. Grief Australia recognises companion-animal loss as a significant bereavement experience.
Other people may not always understand this grief. It can help to speak with someone who will not minimise the relationship, and to choose a ritual or memory practice that feels personal.
Gentle supports
- Attend to food, rest, medication and practical tasks as you are able
- Let trusted people know what kind of contact is helpful
- Make space for memories without forcing them
- Adjust expectations during anniversaries and other reminders
- Seek counselling or health support when grief is affecting daily life or feels difficult to carry alone
Grief and recovery can coexist
Recovery is not about forgetting or moving on from someone or something that mattered. It can involve learning how to carry the relationship, meaning or loss differently while life continues around it.
Counselling can offer a steady place to explore grief, identity and change at a pace that respects the person.