Losing an animal and how to cope with the emotions.

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This morning, I went outside to go for a riding lesson and I found my 2 year old setter dead on the front seat. As I have been gone for a few days and I saw her before I left, It has to be the caregiver who left her in. Either way it was an accident and the dog had a bad habit of going in when a door was left open. However this came as a shock to me. This dog is like a service dog type and knows how to lie down on me and "hug" me whenever I get upset. This loss will be felt.

My first question is, How do i keep myself from "closing up" and not showing my emotions. half of my mind wants me to grieve while the other half is telling me to shut the emotions down before I can feel them. I know I should feel sad and this morning I cried harder than I have ever cried before and i started to "open up" but as the day has progressed I have felt myself "closing up" and I have faught this feeling but I seem to be losing the battle.

This has been an emotionally tiring day and one that I am glad that it is almost over.

Oh that is a distressing experience for you, I am sorry that you have lost a close companion creature in this way.

Grief from what I understand is the same process irrespective of the type of loss, how we experience each loss is different and unique to us as individuals and relative to our situation/environment.

Honestly, if it were me, I would just let it take its natural course, even if that means allowing yourself to close up for now. Grief is not the type of thing that can be directed, or controlled, I think interfering with your natural response might prolong the process in a negative way.

Perhaps you need some time to process this, before you will be able to feel the intense emotions and deal with them in a way best suited to your personality.

This link covers the basics of grief, Helpguide. It might help you to research the common reactions, so that you can recognise them in yourself when they occur.

(((Hugs)))

Thank you! I sure hope you are correct! I guess I will just try to keep moving and not try to prolong it. Thank you for the advice!

Don't conceal your emotions. Let people know you are sad and they can help you.