my horse died recently?

Question

she was at the grand old age of 29 when she died all of my family miss her but her compianion who is also elderly is so depresed and is missing her what can i do please help advise from people in the uk please

Answer 1

I'm so sorry honey. I know what it's like to lose a best friend. At least you have 29 years of found memories to remember her by.

When a person you love dies, it's natural to feel sorrow, express grief, and expect friends and family to provide understanding and comfort. Unfortunately, the same doesn't always hold true if the one who died was your companion animal. Many consider grieving inappropriate for someone who has lost "just a pet."

Nothing could be further from the truth. People love their pets and consider them members of their family. Caregivers celebrate their pets' birthdays, confide in their animals, and carry pictures of them in their wallets. So when your beloved pet dies, it's not unusual to feel overwhelmed by the intensity of your sorrow. Animals provide companionship, acceptance, emotional support, and unconditional love during the time they share with you. If you understand and accept this bond between humans and animals, you've already taken the first step toward coping with pet loss: knowing that it is okay to grieve when your pet dies.

Understanding how you grieve and finding ways to cope with your loss can bring you closer to the day when memories bring smiles instead of tears.

What Is the Grief Process?

The grief process is as individual as the person, lasting days for one person or years for another. The process typically begins with denial, which offers protection until individuals can realize their loss. Some caregivers may try bargaining with a higher power, themselves, or even their pet to restore life. Some feel anger, which may be directed at anyone involved with the pet, including family, friends, and veterinarians. Caregivers may also feel guilt about what they did or did not do, and may feel that it is inappropriate to be so upset. After these feelings subside, caregivers may experience true sadness or grief. They may become withdrawn or depressed. Acceptance occurs when they accept the reality of their loss and remember their animal companion with decreasing sadness. Remember, not everyone follows these classic stages of grief—some may skip or repeat a stage, or experience the stages in a different order.

How Can I Cope with My Grief?

While grief is a personal experience, you need not face loss alone. Many forms of support are available, including pet bereavement counseling services, pet-loss support hotlines, local or online Internet bereavement groups, books, videos, and magazine articles. Here are a few suggestions to help you cope:

Acknowledge your grief and give yourself permission to express it.

Don't hesitate to reach out to others who can lend a sympathetic ear.

Write about your feelings, either in a journal or a poem.

Call your local humane society to see whether it offers a pet loss support group or can refer you to one. You may also want to ask your veterinarian or local animal shelter about available pet loss hotlines.

Explore the Internet for pet loss support groups and coping information.

Prepare a memorial for your pet.

Will My Other Pets Grieve?

Surviving pets may whimper, refuse to eat or drink, and suffer lethargy, especially if they had a close bond with the deceased pet. Even if they were not the best of friends, the changing circumstances and your emotional state may distress them. Give surviving pets lots of TLC ("tender loving care") and try to maintain a normal routine. It's good for them and for you.




ps- this video also helped alot with the grieving process.
http://www.indigo.org/rainbow/rainbow.swf

Answer 2

I"m not from the UK but I've owned/raised/worked with an awful lot of horses in my day.

A wethered dairy breed of goat is an excellent companion for a lonely horse. I have sold many a goat to racehorse owners who needed a companion for their horses.

Any breed of dairy goat is good - wethers (neutered males) are the best for companions. Elderly doe goats are also good. Stay away from Bucks (intact males) as they can be bossy and are pretty smelly during the rut.

Sometimes a small pony or donkey can be a good companion as well.

Sorry for your loss.

Answer 3

I'm sorry for your loss- is there any way you can get another older horse as a companion? That would be better than just letting the survivor suffer. I live in the US.

Answer 4

ok, all I would desire to declare is the what the hell? undesirable horse.. to respond to you question if it might experience extra advantageous for her to work out yet another horse... all you would be able to desire to do is merely placed the grant obtainable. "hiya ________, i'm on my way out to the barn, might you want to come again?" She'll the two say sure or no. do not stress her the two way. If she does comply with head, possibly do not anticipate to do something considerable extra advantageous than merely petting your horse. That way, as quickly as she does get obtainable and he or she would not appear as if she desires to be there anymore, merely go away. you are able to go returned and notice your horse later as quickly as she's left. If she enjoys it, enable her handbook you by ability of asking basic and concise questions: want to groom? want to experience? want to _________________ that's difficult to declare how she'll react to any of it till she's placed into the placement. She would be full of exhilaration, she would want a jiffy on my own to cry. enable her be the boss and merely admire any determination she would make.

Answer 5

actually the same thing just happened, my 32 year old just had to be put down due to a fractured coffin, and the 24 year old didn't eat nor did he drink much water. I do suggest another companion, it doen't have to be another horse, just another four-legged hooved friend. It actually works

Answer 6

That's so sad. Try getting her another companion. Not to be a downer but sometimes when older horses who are very close die the othe dies from depression, because they won't eat or drink anything.

Answer 7

How about another companion? Perhaps a goat?

Answer 8

i am so sorry for that
i hope u are fine no
you should buy another one and name it just like the one died