In the UK, a 13-year-old cat named Sophie suddenly suffered a stroke and died in the arms of her owner Michael. Sophie's sudden death dealt a huge blow to Michael, who loved her deeply, and he was heartbroken...
He couldn't accept that Sophie had left like this. He put Sophie's body on his bed and spent another 3 days with her before calling someone to bury Sophie. 8 days after Sophie left, Michael committed suicide at home by taking medicine and left this world. Perhaps many people still can't understand why Michael is so "fragile"? Why is it so sad to lose a pet?
In fact, when a pet leaves, many owners will face "Pet Loss Syndrome". A survey found that nearly 60% of pet owners will experience physical and mental discomfort after losing their pets... Some people will last for a few weeks, while others will take several years to let go, and some will even suffer from depression.
The symptoms of pet loss syndrome are divided into emotional, behavioral, physical and psychological. Emotionally, pet owners will experience sadness, despair, anger...feeling overwhelmed, refusing to accept the fact that their pets have left, guilt, loneliness and other painful emotions. They feel that they cannot bear such pain, become distrustful and depressed...even begging God to exchange their lives for the lives of their pets...
Behaviorally, they will often break down and cry, suffer from insomnia, anorexia and binge eating...repeatedly go to the pet's favorite place or burial place, want to hold the pet's old toys or blankets, and constantly sort out the remains. Physically, there will also be problems, such as stomach pain, chest pain, breathing difficulties, etc. In addition, there will be confusion, inability to concentrate, constant thinking about the deceased pet, hallucinations and auditory hallucinations about the dead pet, and unwillingness to contact people.
However, when the owners of the lost pets experience these pains, many people look at them with strange eyes, saying that they can't understand... "Isn't it just a dog and a cat?", "It's no big deal." This will undoubtedly bring greater pain to those who are experiencing pet loss syndrome... In their hearts, they have long regarded their pets as their closest family members and best partners. For pet owners who are experiencing pain, the only help others can provide is empathy and listening.
It is understood that some companies now also give employees "pet bereavement leave" to give them some time to soothe their sad emotions, and the owners themselves can try: holding a funeral for the pet, making some pet souvenirs, such as pet models, pet wool felt, etc., communicating with some people who have also lost their pets, seeking advice and help from professionals, etc.
Those pets who have left will also hope that their beloved owners can live well with their love...
