We Grieve Because We Love
Mary Ann Bumbera • Animal Chaplain
Grief Support for Animal Loss
Our animal companions are like children, best friends, a refuge from the world, the loves of our lives. They share every aspect of our daily lives with acceptance and love, minus all the human complexities. They bestow us with loyal companionship, socialization, laughter and protection. For those with disabilities, they are eyes or ears to the world, Emotional Support Animals or seizure alert dogs. But sadly, our culture doesn’t honor the lives of animals with obituaries or funerals (and very few employers offer bereavement leave for them), so when they die, they’re just … gone. We’re left staggering in grief, our world torn apart, without the comfort they gave us. Those whose lives have been shattered by the loss of an animal companion know that grief is not species specific. Love is love.
Grieving the Loss of our Animal Companions is Devastating
How one-on-one support helps
Sharing the love story of your animal can bring comfort in grief when nothing else can. I hold a compassionate space for people of all faith traditions to assist in navigating grief. Be it a recent loss, a loss from long ago or an animal currently in hospice; I am here to walk with you. At your pace. Grief is layered. It’s accumulative. And everyone’s experience is unique. Each loss is different. It takes courage to face the currents of emotion that can keep us in pain. I can help you gain resilience to untangle any guilt, regret, shame, blame or anger, which are all normal parts of grief. We will forever miss our animals, but when emotional burdens loosen their grip on us, self compassion grows and grief becomes bearable because love prevails.
You’re not alone in this. Your love story matters and I would be honored to hear it.
If you are not ready for one-on-one support but would like help, other resources are available. To lessen the overwhelm of decision making, I offer a 30 minute consultation to help decipher a coping strategy that will sustain you on your healing journey - books, podcasts, body movement, group support, ritual, memorial, breathwork, writing or art.
“All hearts have but one request.
One simple, unspoken undeniable need.
To be known.”
- Charles Martin, Unwritten
Whatever You’re Feeling is Normal
We have no means to make sense of death. It’s an uncomfortable topic. And we live in a culture where it’s believed that grief is to be fixed and overcome. This makes us feel even more alone. But grief cannot be fixed. It needs to be witnessed, honored, normalized and held with compassion as we stumble and stagger through the tumult of emotions. It takes courage and perseverance to endure the journey of adjusting to a loss in our lives, especially with animal loss that is often dismissed, which is known as disenfranchised grief. Reaching out for help is a strength.