The holidays are filled with feelings of joy and happiness. For many people, the experience of having to say goodbye to a beloved pet can become a reality, as there is an increase in pet euthanasia during this time of year. This type of loss can be a difficult and overwhelming experience for pet parents. Anticipatory grief can cause a mix of emotions, including anxiety, which can impact your remaining time with your pet. In this article, we will discuss four ways to support you and your beloved during this challenging time.

Spend More Time with Your Fur Baby

Taking some precious moments each day to provide your pet with uninterrupted, unconditional love is a great way to deal with your emotions. During the holidays, we typically have additional time off, which is an opportunity to shower your pet with more love. I recommend at least 15 minutes, three times a day, or as much time as you can.

Create a Bucket List for Your Pet

Many people make bucket lists of things we would like to experience before we pass. Having more time to say goodbye to your beloved pet is a perfect time to create a list of things that makes them happy. This joy list can be a range of things, such as barking at the mailman or eating their favorite snacks. Some owners are so focused on the symptom that they forget to concentrate on the things that your fur baby enjoys. By taking the time to accomplish the things that they appreciate, you’re providing the gift you want to give them by making sure their end of life is fruitful by doing the things that they love.

Some ideas that may inspire you to put on your own pet bucket list include: 

•Enjoying a gourmet meal

•Snuggling on the couch or in bed

•Making a new friend at the park

•Casting a paw print

•Taking a doggy and/or family photoshoot

•Throwing a birthday party with your favorite friends

•Video calling with distant relatives

•An afternoon sunbathing

•Taking a stroll or hike

•Visiting a national or state park

•Hanging out at the beach

•Playing their favorite game for as long as they want

•Hitting all the town’s pet-friendly hot spots, sampling food at each one

•Choosing a toy and bag of treats at the pet store

•Being pampered during a spa day at a grooming parlor

•Hanging out at doggy daycare and making new friends

•Visiting a nursing home or hospital to pass out doggy kisses

•Swimming

•Rolling in something smelly

•Running off-leash in a large field

•A road trip with the car windows down

•A party with favorite two and four-legged friends

Many owners deal with anticipatory grief, which is when we start grieving before death happens. Doing some of the favorite things your pet may love can redirect your focus from the loss to the living, and the time that you have left. These bucket lists can help you have no regrets for your beloved pet.

Incorporate Your Beloved into Your Holiday Traditions

Many people have holiday traditions that are dear to their hearts during this time of year. Including your pet in activities such as your holiday card, bringing your beloved to family gatherings, preparing a special meal, spoiling them with a gift, or making their paw print into an ornament to memorialize those special moments forever.

Join a Support Group for Pet Loss

Losing a beloved pet can elicit intense feelings of grief. To help you cope with your loss, Lap of Love invites you to attend our Pet Loss Support Group sessions. The support group provides a safe and empathetic environment for those who want to listen, share and celebrate the life of their treasured pet with others who are suffering a similar loss. We also offer individual one-on-one sessions.  Visit our Pet Loss Support page for more information or to register for a session.