Dear Ronit,

I recently lost my beloved pet, and I can't seem to stop crying. I was at a restaurant yesterday having a good time when I was suddenly overcome with sadness and began bawling at the table.

Am I over emotional, or is this roller coaster of emotions
normal during the grieving process?

Shreks

Hi Shreks,

I am so sorry you are experiencing so much pain. But it is important for you to know that you are going through a natural grieving process. Losing someone we deeply care for, is one of the most challenging experiencing with which we have to contend. We become physically, emotionally, intellectually and spirituality attached to a loved one. Their loss affects us on all those levels. Our bodies, our senses, miss physically seeing and feeling them; our hearts miss the joy and affection we experienced in their presence; our minds experience the loss of planning our lives around them, our souls are missing the deep connection we feel with them. Our whole system is profoundly affected. Furthermore, often unresolved past losses surface and add to the emotional mix. There is not much one can do, nor “should do” to minimize the pain. Healing will come only as a function of time, as you go through the natural stages of grief. Elizabeth Kubler Ross described five stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. These stages do not necessarily come in order. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%BCbler-Ross_model)

Give yourself the time to heal and know that while your pet is no longer with you physically, the love you shared has opened your heart and soul in a way that will allow you to continue to share that love with yourself and others. Through you keeping your heart open, you perpetuate his love on this planet and keep his spirit alive. That is the best way to honor his precious life.

My condolences to you,

Ronit