Grief and Dogs: Healing Together
Grief is something we often think of as uniquely human, yet anyone who has shared their life with a dog knows that loss touches them too.
Whether we are mourning the passing of a beloved animal, or our dogs are grieving the absence of someone they loved, the journey through sorrow is something we walk together.
When We Grieve Our Dogs
The bond between humans and dogs is unlike any other. They are family, confidants, and companions who leave deep pawprints on our hearts. Losing a dog can be devastating not “just the loss of a pet” but the loss of a presence that shaped our daily routines, comforted us in silence, and loved us without conditions.
Many people find that grief after a dog’s passing feels misunderstood by others. Society may encourage us to “move on” quickly, but grief doesn’t have a timetable. It lingers, reshaping our lives slowly, teaching us about love, memory, and resilience.
When Dogs Grieve Us
Dogs too can grieve. They feel the absence of a person or companion animal who has always been part of their world. Signs of grief in dogs may include changes in appetite, lethargy, restlessness, or searching behaviours waiting by the door, sniffing familiar belongings, or calling out in whimpers. Just like humans, every dog expresses grief differently.
Providing structure, companionship, and gentle reassurance can help them navigate their loss. Walks, familiar routines, and soft moments of comfort remind them that though someone is gone, they are not alone.
Healing Together
When humans and dogs experience grief at the same time, a unique bond forms. Sitting quietly with your dog, sharing a moment of stillness, can be healing for you both. Dogs ground us in the present; their need for routine reminds us to keep moving forward, even when our hearts are heavy.
In many ways, dogs teach us how to grieve. They do not hide their sorrow, nor do they deny their love. They mourn openly, love fiercely, and eventually, they learn to live in the new reality while still carrying the memory of who they lost.
Honouring the Love
Grief is the price of love, and while painful, it is also proof of the depth of the bond we shared. Whether lighting a candle, planting a tree, or creating a photo album, finding ways to honour our dogs keeps their memory alive. For dogs, honouring can be as simple as keeping a favourite toy, continuing a walk along their favourite path, or speaking their name with warmth.
In grief, there is no need to rush. Both people and dogs need time, space, and tenderness. And in that shared journey, there is healing.