Do animals grieve? Of course they do. Animals of all kinds have sophisticated family systems and interpersonal relationships with one another. Just like us, they form very close bonds with some, and not so much with others. Just like us, they have besties, and when their friend dies, they mourn. And just like us they experience grief in their own unique way.
Built to cry… The grief that accompanies the loss of a beloved companion animal is profound and the pain of that loss can be felt emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Grief is a grueling physical experience and shedding tears is one of the ways our body supports us in processing and healing from loss. Sadness and grief are the emotions that help us with loss…
It is a common expression of concern for men to hear that “it’s important to express your feelings about this loss.” The prevailing conventional “wisdom” is that men do not necessarily grieve well… that they could be better at expressing emotion.
It is sometimes easy to misunderstand what the different ways people grieve mean. For instance, I have spoken with people whose families are concerned about them because they have not cried over a significant loss. I’ve also worked with people who suffer from the perception that they do not love their pet as much as others do, for the same reason. On the other hand you may find that you’re worried about your loved one because they are still crying weeks and months after a beloved pet has passed. Understanding that different ways of expressing grief is perfectly normal and offering that generosity to your loved ones can help them to heal.