12/14/2024
Some of you may know that several years ago a cat wandered into our yard. It was starving, and I made the fated decision to give it a can of tuna while trying to locate its owner. We couldn’t ever find the owner—so from that moment on, I gained a constant friend and companion (whether I liked it or not!) in the form of Luna, my cat.
We ultimately ended up adopting her, and for the past 4 years I have spent 8-10hrs daily with her out in my office. Years went by until a month or so ago, and I learned that Ms. Luna was not well. Her health rapidly declined and in a matter of days I discovered that she had an aggressive form of blood cancer. It was a heart wrenching decision, but at the advisement of her vet, I decided to help Ms. Luna on her way out of this world.
In the course of practicing psychiatry, I have had many patients who have suffered the loss of loved ones, including animals.
Some people might find it odd, but many people consider their animals to be a member of their family. The grief and loss that people experience with the loss of an emotional support animal, disability animal, or simply a family pet can be just as potent as the loss of a family member!
I have supported many people through this, but I had not yet experienced it myself. I was surprised at the grief I felt with Luna’s passing!
It has given me empathy, whereas I previously was relying on theory and sympathy when counseling people through loss.
Grief is an odd thing! There is no normal. Everybody grieves in a different way, and at different speeds. I certainly don’t wish this on anyone, but my heart goes out to those of us this year who are thinking of absent loved ones….be they furry friends, human family members, or something else entirely, your experience is sincere and valid…and you are not alone!
