We all know when our animal companions are hurt or ill in the physical. But do you know that your animal can suffer emotionally and that suffering emotionally can cause illness, disease, mental distress, and behavioural issues. It is slowly starting to be recognized that as responsible pet owners we need to take the whole animal into consideration, this means their physical body, their mental body, and their emotional body. All three are very connected just like they are for humans.

The oxford dictionary definition of Grief – intense sorrow, especially caused by someone’s death.

Dictionary.com - Grief - Definition and meaning - Grief is mental or emotional suffering or distress caused by loss or regret.

Grief and grieving is an extremely personal journey. It can depend on circumstances, experiences in life and how you deal with the emotions and the pain of losing that someone special. Grief can also come in from the loss of a job, a friendship ending and many other reasons.

Grief can make you feel like you have been shattered into a million pieces and will never be the same again. It can make you stop wanting to live, can make it impossible to find the joy in life you once had, and it can also turn your world upside down and spin it around until you don’t know which way is up anymore. There are so many different aspects to grief, you never know how it will come at you. You may experience shock, anger, denial, guilt, depression and so many other emotions. Family and friends will often comfort you and help support you especially through the loss of a family member or the loss of a friend or job or even home.