When your animal crosses the rainbow bridge, it is a massive shock to the system, it hurts, and it is natural and normal to experience such a level of loss and pain.
I have personally had to say goodbye to many beloved animals in my life, and while being an Animal Communicator and Energy Alignment Method EAM Master Mentor does not lessen my experience, it does enable me to heal from my own grief journeys and also prepare for and support others in the situation.
From my own experience I have identified 7 tips for coping with crossing the rainbow bridge, there are different stages we go through, such as denial, followed by acceptance, the difficult discussions that need to be made about what to do while our beloved is crossing, and what to do once they have to life afterwards
These tips really helped us through many difficult times, and I hope, when you need, that they will help you through the loss of a much-loved animal in your life too.
I outlined seven tips that can help you cope with animal bereavement, you can read my in-depth advice on each of the seven tips below.
Seven Tips For Coping With Animal Bereavement
- Recognise how you feel and what you are dealing with. Be it anger, loss, denial, hope, heartbreak, anxiety, crying, not sleeping or eating; take note of how you feel or how you are behaving.
- Honor your feelings and your animal. You feel like this because you love your animal with all of your heart, they meant as much to you as any other living being you share your home with, perhaps even more!
- Find the right support, only converse with people whom you know will support you and how you feel. There is no point going to see your neighbour Mr Timms who hates cats when your furbaby has crossed the rainbow bridge, it is unlikely he will have anything nice to say. You are feeling sore and you need comforting people around you. If you can’t find a friend then pop online to one of your supportive groups. (If you don’t have one I suggest joining Animal Chat and Natural Wellness on Facebook). Make sure to ask for the support you need, “I need a hug” or “I need time, a couple of days” or whatever it is you need, just ask.
- Give yourself and your home time to recover from your loss. Your animal and you spent a lot of time together, especially if you had a dog or a horse or working animal. You may’ve spent more time with them than anyone or anything. Only you can set this time, and you won’t know how long you need until you are there. 6 to 12 months is an entirely normal length of time to mourn, give yourself time and be gentle with yourself.
- Do something to honor your beloved animal friend. Be it a small burial or cremation, a ceremony or having a keepsake made from a lock of their mane or fur, a photo book or write a letter or a poem, a drawing, sketch or create a special memorial area in the garden. Do something that works for you. Some people like to go through their own animal funeral and others like to be very practical and move on. Whatever you do, it has to be right for you.
- I can’t stress how important self-care is. You are unlikely to feel much like being kind to yourself when experiencing the pain of animal bereavement however your body needs it! Take a gentle walk, a warm bath, read a book, watch a funny film, go to bed early or paint your toenails. Whatever you do, do something for you. Emotional stuff and crying can really leave you feeling drained as well as heartbroken a quiet afternoon on the sofa with a hot chocolate, quiet music and early night can really help you cope with such strong feelings.
- The only person who will know when it is the right time to move on, is you. Getting another cat, dog, horse or rabbit doesn’t replace the animal you’ve lost.
Get Help With Animal Bereavement
Need specialist support to help you through this difficult time?
If you find you are unable to manage your feelings before or after the loss of your animal, you are not alone and you too can move from a place of pain to peace again. Gain support and clarity of thought, during this time to process your emotions in a gentle and natural way, so that you can truly release your grief and feel like you again.
I know how heart-wrenching it can feel losing a four-legged friend, and combine my experience with a lot of human and animal loss and all my professional training, and therapy work including as an Energy Alignment Method EAM, Master Mentor. EAM works on your thoughts, feelings, emotions, and beliefs identifying the root cause, releasing, and transforming it. I teach others how to become mentors themselves as well as mentor 1,000’s of women through their personal healing and development journeys, you are in safe hands. I have been exactly where you are, and know you will feel like summertime and sunshine again!
Work with me 1:1 as I share a supportive and healing energy alignment session incorporating EAM, and Vibration Healing to create a very transformational session. This will gift you peace of heart and mind which facilitates moving on, at the right time for you. Find out more about this with a quick call or book a session here.
