Anticipatory Grief and How to Help Hearts Heal
Losing a pet is one of the most heart-wrenching experiences a pet owner can face, and the emotional toll can begin long before the actual loss. This early emotional response is known as anticipatory grief, a common reaction when we sense that a beloved pet will inevitably be lost to us. Whether your pet has been diagnosed with a terminal illness or the first signs of aging have begun to show, this is an emotional time. Pet owners are saddened by the small changes they notice in their pet’s daily routine; the moments they can no longer play fetch, climb the stairs, or engage in activities that once filled their days with joy. Often, the pet’s deterioration begins quietly, when your dog fights arthritis or when your cat prefers rest to play. The Loss Of Pet Gift or increasing ailments remind us of the inevitable and are a small reminder of the goodbye we’ll inevitably face when our pet passes away. Anticipatory grief is deeply felt as pet owners have formed ...