Is it really possible to “love animals too much?”  I believe the answer is NO!  Love for animals is in most respects an unconditional, “unselfish” love, since we are loving someone who can’t give us money, prestige, power, or make our lives easier.  They are our best friends, sympathetic listeners, and loyal companions.

Pets are part of the family.  Our relationships with our pets can be some of our closest and most rewarding.  And if you are a real animal lover, you have a special gift–your great capacity to love.

Our pets give us so much. They entertain us, listen to our secrets, and give us unconditional love. Losing a special pet can leave us with a muddle of feelings: sadness, anxiety, and even guilt. It may be hard to get support from others during this time. Well-meaning people may try to cheer us up, “At least it wasn’t your husband/father/mother/child!” But it’s not whether our loved one was a person or an animal that determines our “right” to be upset. It’s the quality of the relationship. You’re not crazy to be in pain during this time.

Facing these feelings alone can seem overwhelming. But healing comes with talking, getting support, and facing the feelings, one moment at a time. If you feel helpless, hopeless, have severe difficulty functioning, or have suicidal thoughts, get help immediately. If you feel “stuck” in grief after two to three months, you may have a more complicated grief experience and may benefit from grief counseling to get through this difficult time.

If you would like to listen to radio programs on which Ann Palik has appeared as a pet loss consultant, they are:

• “Talking Animals” (11/01/2004)
• “The Dog Dish” (7/09/2005)