Returning to work after pet loss can feel like an overwhelming mix of emotions: dread, anxiety, exhaustion, even resentment that the world expects you to carry on as if nothing has changed.

Sudden, unexpected pet loss can upend your life in an unimaginable way. It can leave you feeling powerless, despondent, and alone in a sea of questions.

Coping through pet loss can feel like you’re on a road you never wanted to travel, with no clear destination or directions. It can be unpredictable and scary and this journey requires patience and compassion. 

A new year doesn’t just mean a new calendar and resolutions. When you’re grieving the loss of your pet, the new year can feel like a marker of time reminding you that your beloved isn’t here to step into the next chapter with you.

Pet parents feel grief in many ways after losing a cherished pet. Their companionship, love, and even their silliness leave a deep void after pet loss. But one often overlooked aspect of grief is the loss of physical touch.