For people who love animals, the death of a pet can be devastating. It is a unique kind of grief to which I don’t believe there is a comparison. And yet, pet grief is still sometimes treated as though it is somehow a lesser form of bereavement. People may expect you to be sad for a few days, perhaps a couple of weeks, and then assume life will return to normal. No sick leave, no funeral, no celebration of life.

When a person or a pet we love dies, it can feel as though everything has changed. The world may go on, but our inner world often feels unrecognizable. For years, grief was framed as a process of “letting go” or “moving on.” and sometimes people have felt judged for not being able to do that and it turns out, it may not be necessary.

Have you ever wondered if you have abandonment issues? If so, you’re not alone! Fear of abandonment is a persistent concern or anxiety...