Grieving The Loss Of A Pet During The Holidays: Suggestions For Coping

Coping with pet loss during Christmas - Marianne Soucy Healing Pet Loss
Christmas is traditionally a time for celebrating, but if you have recently lost a beloved animal companion, then you might find it hard to feel joyful and take part in celebrations. It is especially when the holiday preparations finally give way to peace and quiet that the time comes when the fond memories of your beloved animal friend as well as the painful reminder of their physical absence from your life will come into focus.

Expect some feelings of sorrow or sadness

If the coming holidays are also the first for you after the loss of a beloved pet, then you can expect feelings of grief and pain to come up. You have lost someone who was a very important part of your life, a loving friend and companion, so it is normal to grieve – also during Christmas when you are ‘supposed’ to be cheerful.

Take care of yourself

Allow yourself to grieve and take time to be alone with yourself. Seeking out the company of supportive friends or family can also be helpful.

Instead of feeling obligated to follow your usual routines and traditions, realize that this is no ordinary holiday season, when your pet is no longer with you. Look inside yourself and feel intuitively what you need to do in order to acknowledge and support your life in this holiday season when your pet is no longer with you.

Celebrate your pet

But the holidays don’t need to be all about feeling the grief and sadness of the loss of your pet. The holidays also present a perfect opportunity for you to celebrate your pet – celebrating the love you shared, all the joy your pet brought into your life, and all the lessons you learned from your pet.

Include your pet when you plan your holiday celebrations. Maybe even make the celebrations this year have focus on honoring and celebrating your pet.

Tips and action steps

Here are a few suggestions for ways to cope with the loss of your pet during the holidays:
  • Take a look at the things you usually do around the holidays – are there any of those things or traditions  that can be changed, modified or eliminated?
  • Begin your holiday dinner with a quiet moment in honor of your pet.
  • When your family is gathered, take some time to share fond memories you all have of your pet.
  • Play songs that remind you of your pet.

  • Create special rituals or celebrations that honor your pet:
    • Light a candle in your pet’s honor.
    • Hang a special Christmas stocking for your pet and find some meaningful items to place inside, for example a special toy your pet liked, a photo, a little poem or letter you have written to your pet, whatever feels right. Do this as a conscious process which is light and joyful, and each time you see the stocking you will feel joy and a connectedness with your pet. You may feel inspired at times to look at the items in the stocking and perhaps read out loud the poem or letter which you have placed there.
    • Create an altar with special things that remind you of your pet; where you can sit and reflect on the life and love you shared

  • Take care of yourself:
    • Get enough rest and relaxation.
    • Get exercise and fresh air.
    • Do a daily meditation to handle the feelings of grief and sorrow.

  • Reach out for support.
  • Help an animal in need.

Use your imagination and be creative when celebrating and honoring your pet during the holidays. There is no right or wrong way to do this. Do what feels right to you.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas image greeting Marianne Soucy
PS: For further pet loss support, see my book:
Healing Pet Loss – Practical Steps for Coping and Comforting messages from Animals and Spirit Guides“.


Comments

  1. Rebecca says

    Thank you Marianne…this is actually my second Christmas without my precious Sioux (and so many other wonderful pet souls, of course!) and I find I miss her more than ever…I loved hearing from the person who believes her pet(s) came back in a ‘new’ body! that is just so interesting! Did dogs come back as dogs, cats as cats?!?!? I love love love the very idea…

  2. Thank you Marianne !
    That was very beautiful. I have lost many animals over time because I always have several. The first Christmas time without them seems to be the worst ! When I get the Christmas decorations out, out come the pictures of my animals and the ornaments that resemble them and I feel they are there with me. I take the time to recall all the wonderful moments we shared together and even talk with my animals about the ones that are now in the Spirit world. Over time I have framed a lot of my favorite animal companion photos and hang them in my pet gallery and so they are always with me. Right now I have two of my dogs come back to me in a reincarnation, so you can talk to your animal and see if they want to come back in a new body ! I am so grateful for these love connections. Wishing you a beautiful holiday season !

    • Thank you for your inspiring comment. It’s a beautiful tradition you have connecting with your animal companions both here and in the spirit world during the holidays, and also how you keep them close to you in your daily life through your pet gallery. I agree – the love connections we have with our animal companions are truly special, and I too am very grateful for them. Warm holiday greetings, Marianne

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