The first holiday season after losing a loved one is markedly different, even if — or especially if — that loved one is a furry friend. Although dogs don’t give gifts or make a signature dish, their absence during the holidays leaves a canine-shaped hole in your heart. If you’ve lost a pet this year and are struggling to find joy in the winter festivities, you’re not alone.
Here are some ways to cope with the loss of a dog this holiday season.
Acknowledge That Things Are Different This Year
Losing a dog isn’t something you should be expected to get over quickly. For some, it can be just as intense as losing a human family member or friend. Rather than pretending that everything is okay, acknowledge the sadness that your dog’s absence brings. Let yourself cry and feel what you need to feel. There may be moments where you need to excuse yourself, and that’s alright.
Surround Yourself With People Who Care
For some, the pressure of holiday gatherings is already weighty without the addition of intense grief. Hopefully, your family takes your loss seriously and will be there to support you during this difficult time. However, not all families understand the tremendous sadness caused by a dog’s death. On the other hand, maybe your family recognizes this sadness, but there is familial dysfunction that will add even more distress.
Whatever the circumstances, if you feel that attending a family gathering or holiday party will only exacerbate your pain, seriously consider whether you should attend. No one who truly cares about you will fault you for skipping a holiday gathering to deal with grief caused by the loss of a beloved animal.
Volunteer at an Animal Shelter
If you are able to be around other dogs, volunteering at an animal shelter is a fantastic way to get some puppy love and help some doggies in the process. Shelters often hold adoption events for the holidays, as this is a time when many people give themselves the gift of a new dog.
Working an adoption event can be highly rewarding. You get to see some happy new dog parents and even happier pups go to forever homes. If you’d rather keep your human interactions to a minimum, volunteering to clean kennels or feed dogs at a shelter is just as rewarding.
Create a New Tradition to Remember Your Dog
Just because your dog is physically gone doesn’t mean their presence during the holidays needs to fade. There are several ways to include your dog’s memory in holiday festivities and decor.
Hanging a personalized ornament dedicated to your pup is a great way to memorialize them. Etsy has some fantastic options for these. Maybe you continue to hang their stocking as a tribute, if it doesn’t make you too sad. Whatever you choose to do, keeping your dog’s memory alive during the holidays can help ease the pain of their loss.
Allow Yourself to Enjoy Some Things
For some, enjoying life after the loss of a dog can come with feelings of guilt. It’s okay to not be in tears all day every day, especially if you have people around you who lift your spirits. Do some things you like to do during the holidays. Buy a Christmas tree. Play a game of dreidel. Indulge in holiday foods. Allow yourself some joy this holiday season.
Most importantly, remember the good times you had with your dog. They may not be there physically, but their spirit lives on through you.
