The greatest respect between people is listening. However, in this era of economic stability, the distance between people has grown. Pets provide a type of listening and attention that is very rare or almost nonexistent in human interactions. Therefore, raising pets offers a special kind of spiritual support, and the number of pet owners is continuously increasing. So, if your pet unfortunately passes away, how should you handle the subsequent emotions?

　　1. The Importance of Pets to People

　　1. Emotional Attachment to Pets

　　People entrust their feelings to pets out of a need for trust and a sense of security.

　　2. Treating Pets as Children

　　Many families that prefer raising cats or dogs rather than having children do so for various reasons. Some worry about the financial burden and inability to provide a good life for children; some fear parenting challenges. Thus, raising pets allows them to enjoy some of the warmth and joy of parenthood. They provide their pets with excellent living conditions and view pets as their spiritual support.

　　Additional Note: In daily life, it is often heard that someone says a pet is like their child, which may make those without pets feel somewhat uncomfortable. However, psychologists say it is just a nickname and nothing serious.

　　3. Relieve Stress and Worries

　　Due to busy work and stress, office workers often carry grievances with no one to vent to. However, if all complaints are poured on loved ones or friends, long-term it may lead to others feeling exhausted and irritable. Hence, many people choose to confide in their pets or hug pets to relieve their distress.

　　4. Truly Beneficial to Health

　　These cats and dogs are very attached and loyal to humans. A study in the United States on the relationship between pet ownership and health shows that pets can help people reduce stress and help patients recover faster. Studies domestically also indicate that pets positively impact the physical and mental health of empty-nest elderly people.

　　Pets help children better interact with others. When pets are present, children display more positive social behaviors. Additionally, pets teach children to comfort others and share. Pets strengthen family cohesion and increase social interaction among family members, especially for introverted children or those with autism, where pets can act as friends providing support.

　　French researchers studied 40 children with autism and their families to see if pet ownership influences the children's social abilities. The study added evidence indicating pets improve mental and physical health for everyone. Previous data showed pets can reduce stress, improve mood, and even help prevent some childhood allergy developments.

　　2. How to Face Emotions After Pet’s Death

　　1. Don’t Overly Depend on Pets

　　Lovely pets bring us joy but also require attention to some concerns. Particularly for the elderly, overdependence on pets should be avoided. Many elderly people are inseparable from their pets and spend every day together without liking to communicate normally with others. When the pet disappears or dies, many elderly lose their appetite and feel life is meaningless. These are typical symptoms of pet dependence.

　　2. Maintain a Correct and Calm Mindset

　　In fact, pets usually only live around a dozen years. Like any other beautiful thing, having it inevitably means eventually losing it. When misfortune happens, we should face it with a positive and optimistic attitude. To avoid pet dependence syndrome, friends should go out, actively communicate with peers, and chat with others.

　　3. No Need for Self-Blame or Excessive Sadness

　　Feeling sad and upset after a pet passes away is very natural. Some people may start blaming themselves, questioning if they harmed the pet, which can lead to depression. Maintain the right mindset and adapt to a new life without the pet, but it will forever remain in our hearts.

　　4. Degree Varies by Person

　　The grieving process varies for everyone because only you truly know your interaction with the pet. Some may need more time to calm their emotions. Grief involves many stages, but not every stage appears, nor necessarily in order.

　　5. Don’t Erase the Fact That the Pet Once Existed

　　Many think that after a pet dies, its belongings should be put away to avoid sadness. Actually, the most important thing is to first manage your emotions, then gradually put away the pet’s things.

　　6. Let Children Understand

　　Families with pets often share special emotions. If pet death is avoided in discussion out of fear of upsetting children, it only makes their grief harder to relieve and they may not understand or express their sadness. Parents should give them direct, honest, and simple answers to help prepare their minds. Usually, children can accept pet death.

　　7. Shift Attention from Sadness

　　This is also one of the good ways to divert grief—shift your attention and life focus, stay busy to forget the sadness. Don’t give yourself too much idle time to dwell in negative thoughts.

　　Seek friends and relatives to talk and relieve suppressed emotions, or pack to travel with loved ones. Of course, getting a new pet is also an option. Although the passed dog is irreplaceable, raising a new member will gradually help you forget the deceased pet, and your mood will naturally improve.