Is it normal to grieve over a dead pet?
Yes it is completely normal to grieve the loss of anyone that you loved whether they were a person or animal. I lost my dog (15 ½) last December and even though it’s been nearly a year and I will soon be getting a new dog I still get teary eyed about it sometimes. It’s perfectly natural this was a close friend and family memeber for 10 years. To be honest sometimes people take the passing of a dear pet much worse then a losing a human friend. This is often because with animals they take you as you are, you don’t have to worry about impressing them they love fully and unconditional. I think its sweet you made a collage of him that is something you can keep for the rest of your life. If it is too hard for you to look at it right now [which is understandable when your dog just passed away] I would just put it away somewhere and get it out when you are feeling better. As time goes on it will get easier though you may always have a pang of heartache and always miss your departed dog. Try to think of the good times that you had with your dog and that your dog had a wonderful home while he was in this life because many dogs do not. Before my late dog passed away I wrote her a letter and read it to her at the end I told her that I would love her forever and I would miss her until we are reunited in the after life which I know in my heart will happen. You just have to take it one day at a time. Some days will be good and some days will be bad. Also know that there is no time to get “over” the loss of a pet or any loss that one has suffered when a loved one crosses over. I don’t think one every truly gets over losing someone that they truly loved again whether that was an animal or person. There are many books on Pet grief and even support groups out there if you need them. Do not be ashamed there may be some people that will tell you to get over it this people arenot pet people and do not understand how devastating it can be for someone to lose a beloved pet. I am deeply sorry for your loss.
How long is normal to grieve for a dead pet dog?
Grief is unique to you and your circumstances. Never let anyone tell you it's not okay to grieve for your lost doggy friend -- I'll bet she/he was more like family right? My sister grieved for ours for a couple of years. At first we thought it was strange but in hindsight it was more about family and circumstance. Being only three when we got him, my sister had never known a life without our dog Sam. Within a one year time span I moved across the country, our parents spilt up and our dog died. It was rough. She even started making us sister scrapbooks of him. With duplicates of all the photos she could find, she intended to make two almost identical scrapbooks, one for each of us. About three years after Sam died my mom sent me a huge box. Inside was all of the goods for making the books. Turns out my sister had been trying to make the books to surprise me but every time she took the pictures out she'd cry and end up doing very little. I must admit I cried when I saw all of them too, it was like seeing a lost bit of your childhood, but I finished the books, which were about half done, and now we both have one!I have another dog now, a different breed but thy have similar traits, and even now I bring that book out every once and a while. Our pets are more than pets, they are family and we should grieve however we please!
Is it normal to grieve over a missing pet?
Of course, my dogs are my kids, I don’t have any children, so my dogs are my kiddos.
I still cry over my dog, even though she died a year ago, is this normal?
It is normal. Don't worry about the collar. Your lovely little girl, Milly, will ALWAYS BE WITH YOU. She loves you more than you'll ever know! She is watching down on you and she doesn't want you to be unhappy. She thinks about you too sometimes, but she has renewed health and new friends, but she is waiting for you at the RAINBOW BRIDGE. If your not familiar with Rainbow Bridge, read it and you'll see what I am talking about. You and her WILL BE REUNITED. Firmly believe it with all your heart. It is not the collar that is important it is the happy times your enjoyed that you'll always remember. Try not to dwell on the unhappiness and remember all the good time, as more and more time goes on, you'll mostly only remember the good times. Don't be hard on yourself. It is normal to grieve the loss of your favorite pet that you literally grew up with. Your life is changing now with a beau and all so get busy with your life and try as best as you can to "let go". It will come and go, but she wouldn't want you to be unhappy. I know, I promise. Take care of yourself. Your a very sweet person.
How normal is it to become suicidal after your pet dies?
Its not common for someone to become suicidal after your pet dies. They may have meant a lot to you and you can't bear life without them. In that case, talk to a counselor about it. Its not normal to become suicidal, depressed but not suicidal.