It's a lot that is happening at once, you're their strength part of this is they are probably leaning on you and you're giving all you have. The sadness can snowball though to the point where you can't help the animals or once the animals are gone you aren't able to be there for your family. Maybe think about counseling or talking to someone about this who isn't a co-caretaker to the animals just to get perspective may help.
Quoting: CeeLite Thanks, I'm thinking of going to pet-grief counseling.
OMG! What is this world coming to?
Yes, it's sad when your pet dies, but if you need grief counseling to get over it, it means your priorities are, shall we say, warped.
Let me give it to you straight. Your pet did not come out of your womb.
Yes, I have a pet. I love him dearly. I will be sad when he dies. I even felt sad with an unlovable neighborhood cat with fur missing and deformed hips died in my yard. So I'm not some cold hearted beast talking to you.
But this grief counseling is utter nonsense. Let me guess, the grief counselor is going to support your behavior like a crutch, and will commiserate with you when you tell him or her your pets are like family.
Here is a newsflash: pets are not part of your family. Your family is your husband, your parents, your children, and your grandchildren. No one else is your family.
Yes, you love your pets dearly. Yes, you don't want to see them suffer. Yes, they have big eyes that look so soulful. Yes, they give back to you by letting you pet them and so on.
But get your head and heart straight. Stop lying to yourself.
When we lie to ourselves, we always end up getting screwed up in the end. It is a lie to believe our pets are part of our family.
Once you get that straight, you'll be fine.
