Receiving a terminal diagnosis for your beloved pet is an incredibly challenging and emotional experience. Anticipatory grief, the sorrow felt in advance of a significant loss, can be a particularly intense element of the natural grieving process. Understanding and managing this grief can help you cherish the time you have left with your pet and help you begin to cope with this impending loss. Here’s a guide to help you through this difficult journey.
Acknowledging the Emotions
It’s important to start by recognizing that anticipatory grief involves the full range of the emotional spectrum, including sadness, anger, or guilt. It’s important to permit yourself to experience these emotions without casting judgment on yourself. The challenge arises when we feel “unexpected” emotions during the grieving process. For instance, relief. Someone who may not know that they could feel relieved with the idea of their pet’s impending passing may start to question their commitment to their pet or if they are making the right decision and that can make an already difficult process all the more so. The fact is that all emotions are 100% OK to feel during this process, and even feeling “happy” emotions does not make you a bad owner; you are simply grieving.
Communicate Openly
With all of the intensity and spectrum of emotions that you will experience through this process, it’s important that you develop a strong support system to help you when you need it most. Having trusted friends, confidants, therapists or even leaning on your veterinary team can be immensely helpful in processing your pet’s diagnosis and what the end of their life will look like. Never hesitate to ask any questions that you have or openly share what you are feeling. I can assure you that you aren’t the only person to feel this way or have a particular question, and having a team surround you that allows you to be open can be incredibly beneficial in the healing process.
