To be able to live, one must experience death. Whether from accidents, old age, or sickness, chances are extremely high that you will live to know someone who has passed away in your lifetime. Mourning and death are often talked about in the context of our relationships to others.

However, many people never talk about the death of our furry friends.

Losing a pet is extremely different from losing a family member or friend, yet the pain is still there.

Although you could not talk and interact with your pet like you would with a human, you still dedicated your time to loving and caring for the animal. Your pet is always there for you — upset, angry, ecstatic, morose, frustrated — no matter what, your pet is right by your side. I think the reason that the death of a pet hurts so intensely is the fact that that animal saw you at your worst and your best, yet they still loved you no matter what.

All your relationships could be crumbling around you, yet this one always remained steady. One would be hardpressed to find a human with as much loyalty as their pet. Losing that constant companion is extremely disheartening.

If you have lost a pet, let yourself mourn. Do NOT feel guilty about your feelings and emotions. You can love an animal just as deeply as you can love the people in your life. Death in any form or circumstance is complicated and difficult to comprehend. Realize that your pet was an important part of your life, so obviously you’ll mourn their loss. Never blame yourself for being human and expressing your sorrows. Losing a pet absolutely sucks, and I am sorry if you have ever had to deal with that situation.