Coping with the Loss of Your Best Friend... Written by Chelsea Salerno, Copy Editor It’s the worst part about owning a dog… eventually, whether due to old age, sickness or a freak occurrence, you will have to go on without them. Losing a dog can be just as difficult as losing a relative or friend. After all, they become part of our family and a source of comfort, making the loss all that more upsetting. The pain of loss can often feel overwhelming and trigger all sorts of painful and difficult emotions. While some people may not understand the depth of feeling you had for your pet, you should never feel guilty or ashamed about grieving for an animal friend. So what are some things we can do to move on from the death of your best friend? lowcountry dog 26
1. Know when it’s time: Accepting that death is an inevitable part of pet ownership is important, but so is knowing how to make the tough decision when your animal is suffering. Some important factors to consider are activity level (does your pet still enjoy previously loved activities?), response to care and affection (does your pet still interact and respond to love?), amount of pain and suffering (is your pet experiencing hurt that outweighs enjoyment in life?), terminal illness or critical injury (is your pet facing certain death from the injury or illness?) and finally, your own feelings (is keeping your pet alive harming your quality of life as well as theirs? Does your family .
