How to Deal with Pet Loss

“It’s just a pet…” people might say.

But a pet isn’t “just a pet”; it is a friend, a companion, an immediate family member, and, in some cases, a source of support and survival.

If you have ever lost a pet or you are currently in the process of saying goodbye to one, you might feel lost, alone, or misunderstood by others. If so, this article is for you.

Nikki and Toto’s Story

I was a proud cat mom of Nikki and Toto for 17 wonderful years. They were litter mates and had been together since birth. We had a wonderful life together, lived in many places, met many people, and experienced many things together. It wasn’t until after their passing that I realized how much they shaped my character and enriched my life.

As they both reached age 17, they had both battled with Thyroid disease for nearly seven years. As they aged and their disease progressed, their kidneys began to fail, and suffering slowly crept in. Although I knew one day I would have to put them to sleep, no amount of mental and emotional preparation could have truly prepared me for that exact moment.