Gentle support for your first holiday without your beloved Golden

Written by: Nomi Berger, published author and GRRMF volunteer

Being Gentle With Yourself During a Difficult Season

Remind yourself that the holidays are time-bound and won’t last forever. Therefore, be gentle with yourself. The added social, family and financial stressors that often come with the holidays, compounding your loss, will ease soon enough. As the year progresses, you too will continue to progress through grief’s journey, gaining acceptance, little by little, and finding ways to adapt to life without your beloved pet’s being there with you.

Honoring Your Pet Through Keepsakes and Art

Frame your favorite photograph of your pet and “gift” yourself with it during this first holiday alone. Make a gift of one to your closest friend and a special family member, allowing them to cherish your pet’s memory as they cherished your pet in life. Or, like so many who prefer commissioning a portrait of their pets, locate an artist whose style captures the “essence” of yours – from whimsical and comical to distinguished and bold.

Writing to Your Pet

Write a holiday card to your pet, describing the activities you enjoyed most together, the many ways they enriched your life, how much you miss everything that made your love unique, and updating them on relevant happenings. As strange as this may seem, consider writing a response in your pet’s “voice” so that you can feel, truly feel, the warm glow of their comforting presence all around you.

Seeking Support When You Need It

Reach out to someone who always understood the close bond you had with your pet and the heightened sense of loss you’re feeling at this time. Perhaps that person is dealing with his or her own losses and you can empathize with one another in a way others can’t. But if you’re truly struggling, seek additional support from a trained healthcare professional or contact one of the many free pet loss support hotlines in your area.

Supporting Young Children Through Holiday Grief

Young children may find it especially challenging to celebrate the holidays this first year. If this is their first experience with death, be honest but gentle when discussing the subject and encourage them to share their favorite memories of your pet by writing a letter, drawing a picture or telling a story. Reassure them that laughing at their favorite memories and feeling joy isn’t dishonoring your pet in any way.

Giving Back in Your Pet’s Name

Make a donation in your precious pet’s name to a local animal-welfare/rescue organization. Involve your immediate family by purchasing some toys, adding a message of love to each in the name of your pet and donating them to the same or a different organization. What better way to honor your cherished animal companion than by improving the lives of other animals and making their holidays happier?