Pet Loss: How to Overcome Guilt

 

Pet Loss: How to Overcome Guilt
by Rebecca Kimes

You had no way of knowing that a car's backfiring would
frighten your dog so badly he'd jump the fence, get lost,
wander on to a busy street and be tragically struck by a
car and killed.

Or that your cat would be caught and torn up by a pack of
coyotes.

Or that the hay you bought from a reputable dealer was
laced with an unknown plant that poisoned your horse.

As a responsible, caring and loving steward of your animal
companions you always do your absolute best for them.
That's why the sudden, unexpected death of your companion
can often be devastating beyond words. And to further
compound the tragedy you are overcome with guilt and blame
yourself for the death of your animal companion.

Guilt is a natural reaction when tragedy strikes. And it
can serve you if you learn from what happened and choose
differently in the future.

However, a little guilt goes a long way. If you find
yourself overcome with guilt and unable to properly grieve
and recover from your companion's death here are 2 steps
that will help you take action and free yourself from
guilt's numbing grasp.

Step 1: Let Empowering Questions Help You Heal

Your thoughts create your feelings. If you find yourself
thinking the same things over and over again like, "If I
had only..." or "Why didn't I..." or "How could I have..."
STOP. You are only entrenching yourself further in the
guilty feelings.

Instead use empowering questions to redirect your thoughts
and emotions. Empowering questions are questions you ask
yourself that engage your Creative Self.

Actively ask yourself empowering questions like: "What is
my favorite memory of my companion?" or "How can I feel
better right now about this?" or "What can I do in this
moment to release the guilt?"

Ask yourself empowering questions any time you find
yourself having thoughts of guilt and self-blame.

As you ask empowering questions your creativity is
stimulated and your thoughts are naturally redirected in a
manner that automatically helps you feel better. You'll
quickly find yourself putting your guilt in the past where
it belongs.

Step 2: Accept What Happened

Your beloved companion is gone from this world and no
amount of guilt or self-recrimination can change that.

Now is the time to look deeply within and discover your
true beliefs about death and dying.

Is it possible that your companion's Soul or Spirit
specifically chose this particular time and method to
transition?

Do you believe that although your pet isn't here
physically, he/she is now enjoying life and romping around
in the spirit realms? And you can still connect with your
pet, just in a different manner than you are used to?

As you answer these questions and the others that will
inevitably emerge allow your Soul or Expanded Self to help
you release the guilt and grief. Perhaps you can now
create a new relationship with your beloved pet. As you
do, you'll accept your pet's physical death as a natural
evolution of life and self-growth.

Although seemingly impossible at times, you can choose to
move beyond the numbing effects of guilt created from the
loss of your pet.

About the Author:

Looking for more support in dealing with the devastating
effects of guilt? Perhaps you want more guidance around
exploring your beliefs around where you pet has gone after
dying? Maybe you'd like help in contacting your pet's
spirit. Visit Becky at http://petlosssupportcenter.com and
discover her many tools and support to help you move on
with your life after the death of your pet in joy and ease.

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