*Photo of canine on rock cliff looking down at a cairn by M. Maggs from Pixabay*

Updated 2022.07.06. This page contains affiliate links and this site earns from qualifying purchases made through these sponsored links.

As you experience the grief of a loved one, you realize how resilient you are, and how much you really do have the ability to carry through and carry onward.

When you're put in situations of loss, we realize our own toughness and how much of a will to live and survive the human Spirit really has.

You may make more of an effort to get up and get going each day.

And over time, you will strive to continue to fulfill your life's joy, and purposely desire to become a better, more loving person.

These are the things that happen on a positive note when faced with loss.

On a neutral note, you may experience physical symptoms from the grief and even desire a change in life path.

This is normal as you grieve, because, as you process, you will naturally start to contemplate your new life as you expand and fill the gap your loved one once filled.

So if you are grieving the loss of a loved one, specifically a pet, remember these few things:

Photo of happy puppy overlooking countryside by Dave Francis from Pixabay — *Photo of happy puppy overlooking countryside by Dave Francis from Pixabay*

#7 Know this too shall pass

It's not going to be this hard to get up in the morning, and this hard to keep focus throughout the day forever.

In the Buddhist tradition, it takes 49 days for the soul to transition to their next life, and during this time, grief tends to be most active.

So if you are still in this period, try to be more gentle on yourself, and know that the golden window of relief tends to come around six to seven months after a transition.

Everyone grieves differently, so you may notice waves of feeling betterness within the first couple of months.

Grief comes in waves, and these waves tend to stabilize within the year with the assistance of active mood management - which brings us to our next tip.

#6 There are natural supplements to support

Mother nature wants to support your happiness.

When grieving the loss of a loved one, it's not unusual to experience a loss of appetite or even an inability to rest, release tension, or keep food down.

Natural products such as essential oils can help in lifting emotions during grief.

For evenings, I really like Frankincense, Lavender, and sweet scents such as Vetiver essential oils to promote calmness and clear-headedness.

For mornings, I like the Lemongrass, Peppermint, and anything uplifting, such as Pine, Helichrysum and Orange.

You may want to experiment with adding natural supplements to your diet, such as antioxidants and herbals, like Nutmeg and Cinnamon, which can positively impact mood levels.

#5 Think positively

We think thousands of thoughts each day.

When someone passes away, these thoughts have a tendency to feel amplified. As part of the healing process, they can trend toward the negative.

Do what you can to keep your mood up and lifted.

Inspirational talks by Wayne Dyer, Louise Hay, and even those in the Law of Attraction crowd can be constructive.

For more books to assist with feeling good check out this blog on uplifting books for spiritual seekers.

#4 Know your loved one wants you to be happy

When experiencing the loss of my dog, I would see flashes of her everywhere.

My brain would impart images of her outside in the yard, waiting to go outside by the back door, sitting down at my feet.

I would even sense her as I was waking up in the morning only to realize she was gone.

Some of these are examples of the way our pets visit us when they pass.

See if these images can get you to smile, because they are only part of the process of your pet, dog, cat, bird, letting you know they are still with you and wanting to get you to smile again, too.

If you are having memories of the loss that don't bring pleasure, you can pause and ask your mind, Spirit, or your Higher Self, "Please show me a memory of the good." Another brain command I like is, “Show me something loving or happy.”

Watch how fast what images you see in your memory changes.

Our animals indeed do stay with us and become a part of us in Spirit. Accepting this, and these memories can be the start of a new relationship that allows you to continue the bond healthfully for many years to come.

#3 Prepare food for yourself

Loss of appetite is common for someone dealing with grief, and it may be difficult at first to get together meals.

So as best you can, try to prepare simple meals of just a few ingredients in advance and eat them. You may have to encourage yourself to eat if grief affects you that way, and that's okay.

Maybe only one ingredient meals, like having a banana, for example, or some crackers, or nut butter if you can have it. Even kids snacks can be great to have on hand for days when you are particularly needing a boost.

Food is nourishing to the body, and you'll want to eat to hold your strength as you make life changes moving forward toward a state of happiness.

#2 Get out of the house

At first, take any invitation out of the home you can and say yes.

Even if you just go to the grocery store, you'll want to get out of the house and go be amongst the energy of others as frequently as possible.

Grief washes a grey mist onto things that can be difficult to shake off.

For some people, it settles in at night, and for others, it settles in the morning. For others, it can settle in during the late afternoon lull.

Notice what time of day it tends to settle in for you and think of things you can do to lift your mood during that time. I like to carry a bottle of Lavender on me for grief waves if I'm actively in the process.

Either way, it seems to be easier to shake it off when you get up and get moving and out of the house.

#1 Use this time to develop your happiness arsenal

While there is no technical timeline, I feel active grief can last up to a year after a soul-friend dies, such as a long term pet or another companion.

The initial shock is usually the strongest within the first ten days. The adjustment then lasts anywhere between six to eight weeks. I mention this timeline in a few other blogs, too, such as in this one on visitation dreams and this one about how spirit communicates.

So, during this time, I suggest building a happiness arsenal.

Find out what clothes, music, fragrances, foods, supplements, and people make you feel happiest and most you. Start to work on bringing these things into your life and carrying backups when needed.

You can do this by thinking to yourself next time a grief moment hits, "What would make this moment a little easier for next time?"

Then pray, find, or source that for next time, and have it with you. Each time you do this, the grief moments become lighter and lighter, and it's easier to ease out of the feelings.

For example, I mention keeping mood-lifting essential oils, such as Lavender, on me when out and about if I'm actively grieving, but there are many other ideas.

It can be as simple as buying a box of tissues next time you see one to blow your nose, instead of using paper towels, as many frugal people do.

Even if you lost someone who was your world, you still have a life to live, and these are just a few ways I've found to be inspiring to keep going.

To recap, when grieving the transition of a pet

#1

Develop a happiness arsenal

#2

Get out of the house, find and accept all invitations

#3

Make simple foods in advance, have snacks on hand

#4

Use mind visuals or visitations to cultivate memories of the good times

#5

Dedicate yourself to positive thinking

#6

Consider natural mood and brain support tools such as essential oils, herbals or antioxidants

#7

Know this will pass

When going through an emotional experience or life structure shift, it may feel like the way you're feeling now is the way you'll feel forever.

But all things will change, including how you feel and how your life looks now.

Getting up and working for the day, exercising, and staying tuned to positive sources of energy can also be essential to rising above any situation that you're in, including one of grieving.

The loss of a loved one, whether it's a human, a pet, or a dear friend, can be challenging, and it can take up to a year to adapt to.

During this time, your interests may change, and you may find that a new person is birthed within you.

Hopefully, a more joyful one, as you remember all the good times you had with your pet and all the happy moments you both shared.

The end of one life typically initiates the start of another, so many people find that through loss, they are born again.

This new birth can come as a change of thought patterns, a change in the way you value your own health and body, or a new zest for the purpose in your life.

Whatever it is, grief can lead us to the light, so, however, it may be feeling now, continue to look to the sun, and know that this too shall pass.

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7 Tips For Grieving The Loss Of A Pet