Attachments are natural for human connections, but they can be good or bad, therefore, a line must
be drawn at some point. The willingness to accept loss and recover from it is vital. The reason why I
mentioned this is because as humans we don’t only form attachments with other people, but also
with material objects and animals. Being too attached to something can affect our mental health in
various ways such as causing anxiety, stress, and depression.
For me, animals hold a special place in my heart, especially my pet rabbit, Kiara. I had her for the
longest time, I remember my high school friends obsessing over how cute she was, and now I’m a
working professional. That’s how long she had been with me. But considering the short lifespan of
animals, the dreading thought of losing her one day always crippled my mind with fear, until that
nightmare came true, and she was gone. This is the story of how I lost a piece of my heart.
Have you ever felt your heart drop after hearing some news? That’s exactly how I felt when I heard
Kiara is no more. It starts with a feeling of numbness then all sorts of emotions take over you and
you just feel like you’ll explode from feeling too much at once. My mother broke the news to me
over WhatsApp that Kiara had died. She was found lying in her cage, looking as peaceful as ever and
seeing pictures of her like that broke me. It still doesn’t feel real to me. I can’t imagine going home
and not seeing her chasing after me in the garden. My love for gardening and her went hand in
hand. So she resided among my rose plants and enjoyed every second she was there. Hopping from
one corner to the other and oh, eating my roses as well. Strange to hear a bunny ate roses huh?
A lot of people would not understand this type of pain. That’s why I’m talking about it. I’ve often
heard people saying ‘but it’s just an animal, you can get another one’ or ‘people have greater losses,
just stick it up’ and so on. I do agree that people have it much worse, but each person has their own
capacity to deal with things. Something that gives me stress may just be a cakewalk for another
individual, therefore I believe it is extremely important to empathize with others.
Various studies have found that the grief experienced after the death of an animal is similar to that
experienced during the loss of a significant human. In a study by the New England Journal of
Medicine, it was discovered that a loss of a pet causes physical pain to humans and it can lead to
‘broken-heart syndrome.’ The coping process may not be easy but it is necessary to grieve. Here are
a few tips on how to cope with the loss of a pet:
1. Express Yourself through Journaling
If you find it difficult to express how you’re feeling to others, turn to journaling. In a study carried
out as part of the Holistic Health Care Program at Western Michigan University, it was found that
those individuals who journaled about the difficult situations they were going through had reduced
symptoms of anxiety, depression, especially if they were very distressed before journaling.
2. Seek Support from those who have lost a Pet
If you’re feeling a lack of understanding and support from the people around you, search for people
who have gone through the same type of loss. Check online platforms, find pet loss support groups
where you can express your feelings without the fear of being judged by others. This will make you
realize that you’re not alone.
3. Self-care
While going through such a loss you often forget to tend to your personal needs, and this can affect
your mental and physical health. You should do the things you find fulfilment in, whether it is going
for walks, doing art, working out or listening to music. Be in a zone where you are happy.
4. Spend Time with other Animals
Whether it is volunteering in a pet shelter or spending time with a friend’s pet, it will energize you.
And when you feel like you’re ready to adopt another pet, go for it. It does not mean that you’ve
forgotten the one you lost, but it’s a reminder that you have so much love to give another furry
friend.
Takeaway
Each person has their own ways of dealing with things, so it’s really important to reach that level of
self-awareness in order to know what works best for you. With all this being said, I think I made the
most out of the time I had with Kiara and every time I think of her cute face, I’ll have a smile on my
face and that gives me peace.
We hope this has been a valuable read!
If you have recently experienced loss of a loved one including a pet or are constantly gripped with
fear of loss and are finding it difficult to cope with, get in touch with us on www.auraciousglobal.com
