11 May Getting Through Grief

Most of us have lost a loved one at some point in our lives and know the extreme pain we can go through. When someone is taken away from us before what we believe is ‘their time’, it can really be before what is ‘our time’ for them to be taken from us.

Having someone we really love not be in our lives anymore, often with little or no notice,  is very confronting and can be quite unbearable. A huge void is left in our hearts and it is a daily struggle trying to come to terms with this loss. Simple things like watching TV can even bring back painful memories and leave us in tears.

One thing I have found that is helping me get through my recent loss is my French Bulldog Hugo.

The hardest thing for me now is waking up early and alone every morning. It is often still quite dark and within seconds of wakening it hits me like a ton of bricks the reality of my current situation. Sometimes I lay there for hours in agony, forcing myself to go back to sleep, trying to find peace in my mind. As light slowly creeps through my bedroom window I struggle to think how I’m going to get up and face another day.

The routine of being forced to get up each morning and attend to my dog Hugo’s needs is actually forcing me to also attend to my own. The little bit of structure of having to get out of bed, get dressed, feed him and take him on a morning walk has helped me no end. The cool morning air, sun on my face and watching the pleasure the walk brings him always somehow makes me feel better. I return home feeling better equipped to face another day.

To be honest, if it wasn’t for Hugo I’m not sure if some mornings I’d ever get out of bed.

If you or a friend is going through grief,  maybe the routine a pet dog or cat can bring can help too..it’s worth a thought.