Although more people thankfully acknowledge that it can be as hard to lose a pet as a human loved one, others have yet to catch up. As a result, you may feel that you are grieving the loss of your pet in an unsupportive environment, such as your workplace or even your social group.  We ..read more

If you’re facing the loss of a beloved pet, please know that we’re incredibly sorry. Although some pet bereavements are sudden and unexpected, many pet carers face seeing their animal companion become ill or elderly and know they may soon face difficult decisions. This can cause a profound sense of heartache and vulnerability. You may ..read more

Losing a pet can be one of the most heart-wrenching experiences we go through. Our animal friends become beloved members of our families, and their loss can leave a significant void in our lives.   If you’re grieving a pet, it’s important to know that your feelings are valid and normal. In today’s blog, we’ll explore ..read more

Pet loss grief is deeply personal and can include an array of emotions and feelings such as anger, regret, guilt, sadness, and anxiety.   Wanting to apportion blame can be part of the grieving process, too.  This is because it’s human nature to want to find a reason for why something happens, especially if there’s an unhappy or tragic outcome. It’s a protective mechanism, too. If we can understand what caused a death, we can prevent it from happening again.   But, of course, this is futile. All living things must die eventually, and that can be hard to accept.  It ..read more

Throughout history, every culture has created mourning rites and customs to provide structure, support, and solace while navigating the journey of grief. But in many ways, these rites and customs are missing from pet bereavement (our blog about unrehearsed grief covers this in more detail).  You may find that you’re looking for some meaningful way to mark your pet’s passing or memorialise their life. If so, you’re not alone.  People are increasingly recognising how important mourning rites can be for bereaved pet carers, both immediately after the loss of a pet and in helping to crea ..read more

Losing a beloved pet can feel like losing a part of yourself. The pain, the emptiness, the overwhelming sadness—it’s a rollercoaster of emotions that can leave you feeling lost and alone.   If you’re experiencing this rollercoaster, you may be wondering if pet bereavement counselling could help you navigate this difficult journey.   Let’s explore what pet bereavement counselling is, how to recognise if you might need it, and other ways to find comfort and healing amidst the grief.  What is pet bereavement counselling?  Pet bereavement counselling is a specialised ..read more

As a bereaved person, how we talk about the death of a pet, and how other people speak to us, can have a major impact on whether we feel supported or even able to express our grief.  Despite its universal nature, there doesn’t seem to be an agreed language of loss. It’s wrapped up in euphemisms, metaphors, analogies, symbolism, agreed social and cultural messages, and our own experiences.   This can make conversations about loss extremely hard to navigate. Sometimes, words may fail us altogether.  People often don’t know what to say to a bereaved person for fear of saying t ..read more

Losing a beloved pet is an incredibly difficult experience, whatever the circumstances, but how do you come to terms with the belief that you waited too long to say goodbye? People often talk about their worries around euthanasia, but it’s generally in the context of wondering if it’s the right thing to do or whether they’ll make the decision too soon. A common saying, “Better a week too early than a day too late”, provides reassurance about this. But what about those of us who feel we were too late – be it a minute, an hour, a day, a week or longer? How do we come to terms with our feelings o ..read more

If you’re new to The Ralph Site, first let us say that we’re so sorry for the loss that has brought you here. We hope you find comfort and support within these pages and from our wider community. Today’s blog is about the different types of grief and why it can be helpful to recognise them. Isn’t grief simply grief, you might be asking? How can there be different types? Why does the type of grief matter? Is pet loss grief different from other forms of grief? Is there a right way to grieve? These are all common questions. Yes, when all things are said and done, grief is simply grief. It’s a col ..read more

How long does pet loss grief last? If you’ve experienced a bereavement, you may be asking yourself this question a lot, wanting to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel.  This question has no straightforward answer because grief is, in many ways, an everlasting presence in our lives. Why? Because it’s a manifestation of love, and if love can never truly die, then neither can grief.  We can reassure you though that pet loss grief eventually becomes manageable.  It changes, ebbs and flows, and sometimes it’s more intense than at other times. But, with time, you will be ..read more