Expressing Pet Grief Creatively

Our pets are more than just animals; they’re irreplaceable and loved members of our families. However, when the unfortunate time comes, and we lose a pet, it hits us with a unique kind of heartache, and the departure of a companion who shared countless precious moments with us leaves a deep void. 

Despite this, although grieving a pet can be extremely tough, there’s always a way through this journey, and it doesn’t have to be a sorrowful one. It can be beautiful - and creative!

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It’s something that all pet owners dread, but know they will go through at some point. However, simply knowing how nature pans out doesn’t lessen the pain or heartache that’s felt when that day comes.

Losing a pet can take you on an extremely complex journey and there’s no way to know the level of impact it may have on you and your family until you go through it. The truth is, the depth of the connection we share with our pets can make their loss just as emotionally impactful as losing a human loved one. Unlike human relationships, the bond with a pet is built on the unspoken words and unconditional love that’s formed, which can make this particular type of grief more challenging and confusing to work through. 

There’s no right or wrong way to grieve, but there are many ways. And in the midst of feeling lost and lonely, where words often fall short, the path of creative expression opens up the possibility of healing. 

When we talk about creative expression, we don’t necessarily mean getting your brushes and paints out (although painting is highly therapeutic!). It’s more about channelling these difficult emotions in a way that feels comfortable for you and allows you to reflect and remember. 

Below, we’ve listed a few creative, but therapeutic, ways to help you process your grief and honour your beloved pet. 

Sometimes it’s difficult to verbally express to someone how you’re feeling when you are grieving, and sometimes you don’t actually want to talk to someone either - which is fine too! That’s why journaling can be a great way to gradually release your thoughts, with no pressure to make sense to anybody but yourself. There are no rules either - maybe you’ll find some joy in writing about the times your pet did something funny or silly, or maybe you’d feel a sense of closure by writing them a letter, expressing your gratitude, and thanking them for being a part of your life. Even simply writing down the first words that spring to mind when you think of them and decorating the pages of your journal with colourful doodles or stickers that remind you of their personality will honour your pet.  Be as expressive and creative as you want and come back to journaling as often as you want or need to.

You don’t have to be an artist to commemorate your late pet through art. Sitting at your desk, with colour pencils, paints, and a blank canvas in front of you could be the perfect opportunity to remember them for who they were. Close your eyes and picture your pet’s face, their eyes, their fur, or their paws (or fins, scales etc.). What colour are they? How are they sitting or standing? Which room of your house are you picturing them in? Take your time and really appreciate them and allow the emotions you feel to guide your drawing or painting. It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece, and the end result isn’t the primary goal here - simply going through this artistic process is a gentle step forward towards healing. 

Remember those days when you’d return home from work or school and your pet was the first one to greet you as you came through the door? They probably had a wonderful ability to turn even the worst day into something to smile about and, even though they are no longer with you (physically), you can still continue to create these moments for yourself. Rather than making a “shrine”, which can sometimes feel sombre rather than celebratory or uplifting, we’ve taken a different approach - putting together a memory poster or a wall that’s filled with joyous memories. Gather and print out your favourite photographs of you and your pet and start putting together a beautiful collage of your memories. You can stick them on a large piece of card or a canvas (or even dedicate an entire wall) in any way you like. Add stickers or maybe write their name using permanent markers or paint - this is your celebration of them, so pour your heart and creativity into it! You can then frame your memory poster and hang it up in your house. Whenever you walk past it, you’ll see that your pet is still there with you, making you smile. 

On particularly difficult days that can come weeks, months, or even years after the passing of your pet, you may just wish to hear them and hold them. Although they may not be around to give you that physical comfort, you can feel their presence again and relive those happy memories via a video memory montage. You probably already have entire albums on your mobile phone dedicated to photos and videos of them! 

However, rather than constantly having immediate access and being able to scroll through media whenever you want and for as long as you want (which can actually hinder the healing process), collate them and edit them into a heartwarming montage video. You can then watch it when you feel like you need that extra boost. You can even add captions, music, and play around with fun transitions! It may sound complex, but there are many free and easy-to-use video editing tools available, such as Microsoft’s Clip Champ. 

Understandably, you may not feel like being around other animals or other people’s pets so soon after your pet’s passing. But eventually, when the time feels right, you could consider volunteering at your local animal charity or animal shelter. It’s believed that animals have their own healing power, and petting them can actually lower the stress hormone, cortisol. As you spend time with vulnerable animals who are in need of care and a home, you’ll start to feel a sense of gratitude and purpose, and remember that you were able to open your home to an animal just like these. It’s true that they can’t fill the void, but it’s definitely a big step worth taking when you feel ready. 

Navigating the journey of pet grief can be difficult and confusing at times, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to dealing with your grief. So, take your time to find the methods to honour and remember your beloved pet in ways that feel right to you, and know that healing may not always be linear, but there’s always a way through. 

If you’re somebody who finds solace in helping others on this journey, consider exploring our Pet Bereavement Counsellor Diploma Course. Available for just £29 (save £118!), it’s designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to support those who are going through the challenges of losing a pet.